Jada Pinkett Smith speaks out about having alopecia

‘I was literally shaking with fear’

Jada Pinkett Smith has opened up about her battle with alopecia, describing the sudden hair loss she experienced as “terrifying”.

Speaking to her mother Adrienne and daughter Willow on the latest episode of her new Facebook series Red Table Talk, the actress recalled losing “handfuls of hair” in the shower one day.

The 46-year-old explained how her condition, which doctors have yet to identify the cause of, prompted her to cut all her hair off.

“I’ve been getting lots of questions about why I’ve been wearing this turban,” she said.

“Well, I’ve been having issues with hair loss.

“And I’ll tell you it was terrifying when it first started. I was in the shower one day and then just handfuls of hair, just in my hands, and I was like ‘oh my God am I going bald?’

“It was one of those times in my life when I was literally shaking with fear.”

The Girls Trip star added that maintaining a sense of perspective has helped her cope.

“People are out here with cancer, with sick children… I watch the higher power take things every day and if the higher power wants to take my hair? That’s it? God, you want my hair?

“When I looked at it from that perspective it did settle me.”

She went on to credit turbans for helping her feel empowered as a result of her hair loss.

“When my hair is wrapped, I feel like a queen,” she said.

Despite undergoing a series of medical tests, the actress explained that specialists have been unable to diagnose the cause of her alopecia, though she suspects it might be down to stress.

According to the NHS, common causes of hair loss can include iron deficiency and weight loss; it could also be the sign of underlying health condition.

If hair loss is something you're currently experiencing, you're advised to see a GP if you develop sudden bald patches, your hair is falling out in clumps and/or your head also itches.