An example of celebrity hair loss went public in January 2020 when Ricki Lake revealed to fans that she has been dealing with hair loss for close to 30 years.
The 53-year-old former talk show host got her start in showbiz as the bouffant-boasting, aerosol-embracing lead Tracy Turnblad in 1988’s movie-musical Hairspray.
But ironically enough, Ricki confessed a battle with celebrity hair loss that has been “debilitating, embarrassing, painful, scary, depressing, [and] lonely” via social media on January 1, 2020.
She posted a black-and-white photo of herself with a dramatic new look—her once-lush raven strands were sheared into a buzz cut.
How It All Began
In a detailed Instagram post, Ricki, who was second runner-up in the 13th season of Dancing With the Stars, told her 185K followers that her hair was fried behind the scenes of Hairspray.
“Ever since I played Tracy Turnblad in the original Hairspray back in 1988 and they triple-processed and teased my then healthy virgin hair every 2 weeks during filming, my hair was never the same. (Yes, that was all my hair in the film.) From Hairspray to Hairless,” she wrote in the photo’s caption that it had garnered 72K likes.
She also attributed the hair loss to the stress of her career, hormones, crash dieting, weight fluctuations, and genetics.
Article Update July 2022
What hair loss treatment options did Ricki Lake try?
Ricki stated that she used several popular hair loss treatments to no avail:
- Rogaine
- Prescription medications
- Hair supplements
- Topical hair treatments
- Propecia
- Steroid injections
- PRP therapy
Unfortunately for Ricki, none of these options worked, leading her to shave her hair.
To hide her thinning before, she would have to resort to extensions or a hair piece, which she wore for 5 years before shaving her hair.
Running Out of Options
Desperate for a cure, Ricki tried various temporary solutions to her celebrity hair loss problem with no luck.
“I’ve been to many doctors, gotten steroid shots in my head, taking all the supplements and then some,” Ricki wrote on Facebook.
“My hair would recover and then shed again. It was maddening. I got used to wearing extensions [1], really just over the last decade. All different kinds tried them all, the ones that are glued on, the tape-ins, the clip-ins, and then into a total hair system that I hated, and finally to a unique solution that did work pretty well for me for the last 4 or 5 years.
Stepping Out
Although she admitted that her hair loss had even led to “suicidal” thoughts, Ricki conjured up the courage to open up about her struggles on a January 3, 2020, episode of Good Morning America.
“This was personal. I’m overwhelmed by the reaction,” she told host Robin Roberts on-stage sans wig or hair extensions.
“I was terrified people were going to say mean things,” she continued.
Despite Ricki’s expectations, fans received her news with open arms and even posted some of their selfies revealing hair loss.
“Your courage has set so many women free today, and for that, I say, thank you,” one Facebook user wrote.
“Thank you for being honest and showing beauty in vulnerability,” another said.
Ricki continued on Good Morning America: “I’m holding my head up high. I’ve never been prouder of myself, and I’m touched by the reaction and the fact that I can help others through this process.”
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss can occur in women for various reasons, and these causes are often treatable or reversible. When a female hair loss is assessed, there is a search for treatable secondary causes. When a clinician spots a treatable cause (aside from genetic causes), the correct method of care has the potential to reverse or halt hair loss.
Reversible/treatable causes of hair loss in women can include:
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Untreated hypothyroidism
- Sleep deprivation
- Medication
- Folic acid deficiency
- Vitamin D deficiency can lead to anemia
Remedies Recommended to Ricki
What if you were in RRicki’sshoes? Dr. U Clinic has multiple options that you could consider taking if you did.
- Nano fat transfer: Nano fat transfer happens after fat is taken away from other places on the body and liquified. Then, it’s used to improve skin texture and tone, smooth out lip lines, crow’s feet, tear troughs, and more. While this process takes place, the patient says goodbye to unwanted fat and will procure tiny bits of fat in their most concentrated state, right where they need them, with paramount precision!
- DrUGro™ Gashee topical products: Once you’re ready to use a product from this collection for the first time, your nostrils can anticipate something they weren’t expecting from the natural scents. Real, natural ingredients create a bright red product that most never saw coming from a hair product. Plus, Gashee products could smell a bit like an herb to you. Why? Because, well—they are herbs. Gashee contains ingredients that have been proven to stimulate hair growth.
Can you relate to Ricki’s celebrity hair loss story? Book a free hair transplant consultation with Dr. Umar today!
Further Reading
- OMG: Elton John Opens Up on His ‘’Agonizing’Hair Transplants and Confronting Burglars in His Wig
- 5 Celebrities Who Use EMSCULPT
References
- 1. Artificial hair integrations. Wikipedia. Published March 21, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_hair_integrations