Embracing a New Look
- Talk show host Ricki Lake rocked short grey hair while appearing on an episode of Family Feud.
- Lake has been struggling with hair loss for 30 years, and attributes it to overworked hair while filming, hormonal imbalances and years of dieting.
- Lake’s bravery has received overwhelming support from cancer survivors, who have experienced hair loss while going through chemotherapy.
In January, Lake, 52, revealed her problems with hair loss for the first time, sharing that this is something she has struggled with for 30 years. While hair loss is a common for people undergoing chemotherapy, Lake reassured her fans that she was healthy. She attributes losing her hair to several issues, including overworked hair while filming, hormonal imbalances and years of dieting.
Read MoreSince opening up about her hair loss struggles, cancer survivors have applauded Lake’s bravery. Since many cancer patients undergo chemotherapy during treatment, they know first hand how devastating hair loss can be, especially for women. After sharing her story, Lake has received overwhelming support from the people who understand first-hand what she’s going through.
https://twitter.com/Fool_4_Music/status/1261515336123404300
#rickilake you look great!! While I do not share your thinning hair problem. I do know what it’s like to loose my hair from a fight with ovarian cancer, after having very long hair. I felt the same, I am not my hair, I am me with or with out it. I think you look #beautiful https://t.co/XXesAvJxyc
— Laurie (@firefly31565) January 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheAhaXperience/status/1232327647839051777
@GMA I'm with Ricki Lake alopecia and ovarian cancer gave me bald spots Inhabr no middle. It kept getting thin. I just cut it off! I LOVE IT!!!! @RobinRoberts @RickiLake pic.twitter.com/9esBBFpoIe
— TWeezy (@tweavercollier1) January 3, 2020
Cancer Survivors Embracing Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common, and often inevitable, side-effect of chemotherapy during cancer treatment. There are resources for women to cope with this change, such as scarves, wigs, and cooling caps to slow down the process. However, some survivors have opted to embrace their hair loss, and bravely sport a bald head while out in public.
This was the case for Stephanie Hess, who was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Since she watched her mother, and other family members, battle cancer, she was more familiar with what to expect during treatment. She knew she would eventually lose her hair, and was scared about peoples’ reaction seeing her.
Related: Complete Guide to Wigs for Cancer Patients: Cost, Types and Where to Buy
"Because my mom had passed away from cancer, I knew what it felt like…The thought of losing your hair, that's the ultimate indicator of being a cancer patient." Stephanie tells SurvivorNet. "I didn't want to be bald."
However, with the support of her family, Stephanie’s fear of being bald was quickly assuaged. The first time Stephanie felt good enough to go out to dinner with her family, she was nervous about how her new look might be received. Then she spotted her niece, who had shaved her head in solidarity.
Ovarian cancer survivor Stephanie Hess explains how she coped with hair loss
“She didn’t wear a hat, or a scarf, or anything,” Stephanie says about her niece. “She just was completely bald. In fact, both my nieces never wear hats or scarves while they’re were bald. They just completely wandered around bald…It helped me. It helped me not be so afraid. I would not have been anticipated how much it helped, but it did.”
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