‘Riverdale’ actress Lili Reinhard has revealed she was diagnosed with Alopecia while in the midst of a “major depressive episode.”
The 27-year-old actress posted a TikTok video where she opened up about her mental health journey and her battle with depression and anxiety. This latest video comes after she revealed her struggle with body dysmorphia while she was filming her final episode of ‘Riverdale.’
Lili Reinhart Reveals She Has Been Diagnosed With Alopecia
MEGA
The actress shared a vulnerable video while she was in the middle of red light therapy, “an emerging treatment that’s showing promise in treating wrinkles, redness, acne, scars and other signs of aging,” per the Cleveland Clinic.
“Was just diagnosed with alopecia in the midst of a major depressive episode,” Reinhart wrote on her TikTok video, which also included the caption, “Red light therapy is my new best friend #alopecia #mentalhealth.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, alopecia, which is more commonly referred to as hair loss, is an autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out. Most of the time, the hair grows back, but it can also be treated with steroid injections and topical medications.
Fans of the actress thanked her for her vulnerability as one user commented on the video, expressing, “I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I’ve had alopecia for the last 2 years and know all too well how it feels. Hugs to you.”
@lilireinhart Red light therapy is my new best friend. #alopecia #mentalhealth ♬ original sound – Sam Huberty
Other actresses, including Jada Pinkett Smith, have also revealed their struggle with alopecia.
“I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands and I was just like, ‘Oh my God, am I going bald?’” Smith revealed at the time. “It was one of those times in my life where I was literally shaking in fear. That’s why I cut my hair, and why I continue to cut it.”
In 2021, after the news spread of Smith’s hair loss, she opened up even more, stating “Y’all know I’ve been struggling with alopecia and just all of a sudden one day, look at this line right here. Look at that. So it just showed up like that and this is going to be a little bit more difficult for me to hide. So I thought I’d just share it so y’all are not asking any questions.”
Lili Reinhart Raises Awareness Of Alopecia
MEGA
Many fans of the actress thanked her for her vulnerability and for raising awareness.
“Thank you for using your platform to bring awareness to this. I have alopecia and my health and depression make it worse. sending love,” one person wrote on Reinhart’s recent TikTok video.
Another one of Reinhart’s fans commented, “Sending you mad love. As a kid, I had a babysitter whose younger sister was diagnosed with alopecia & she was so beautiful. She radiated self-love and I wound up wanting to wear wigs like her.”
“Best friend’s mom growing up had alopecia, honestly she was more beautiful for it, such a radiant strong woman!” another shared.
Lili Reinhart has also been a huge advocate for mental health illnesses such as depression and body dysmorphia.