MELANIE Sykes has revealed that she’s been forced to wear wigs as her hair falls out at an ‘alarming’ rate.
and has been completely .
Melanie Sykes has turned to wigs amid her alopecia battle Credit: instagram/@msmelaniesykes
She opened up about hair loss last year Credit: Instagram
Last year she told of how she after spending much of the year unwell, while also detailing how she was “two thirds bald”
Mel has now revealed that her hair has been coming out “really quickly” recently after losing hair for more than a year.
She explained to fans how she has been trying on wigs, with her now ditching head scarves because she is keen to “get some hair”.
Revealing she has turned to wigs, Mel penned in the caption of her new post: “I cannot believe it’s been two weeks since I sat in this chair and tried out some wigs at @amberjeanshop.”
Mel looked so confident while trying on wigs Credit: instagram/@msmelaniesykes
Mel said she’s so excited to receive her chosen wig after trying some on recently Credit: instagram/@msmelaniesykes
She went on: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to receive it.
“My hair has been coming out really quickly in the last few weeks and even at this stage (I’ve been losing hair for about a year and half) it can feel alarming.
“As much as I love using my head scarves, I cannot wait to get some hair.”
She concluded by saying: “The team are welcoming and it’s such a fun and safe space to be vulnerable.
“Brava to the team.”
Reacting to her new post, one fan penned: “Great to see you smiling Mel x.”
What is alopecia and what causes it?
About two per cent of the population will experience alopecia at some point in their lifetime, with around one in every 4,000 developing the condition each year.
It can start at any age but is most common in early adulthood and can lead to a lack of all hair including eyelashes and eyebrows, nasal hair and public hair.
Alopecia areata causes patches of baldness about the size of a large coin.
“Alopecia” is the medical term for hair loss and “areata” means that it occurs in small, random areas. There are various classifications, including:
- Alopecia areata totalis: Total hair loss on the scalp
- Alopecia areata universalis: Total hair loss on your scalp and all body hair
The causes of alopecia areata are not fully understood but the loss of hair is because of inflammation around the hair follicles.
The cause of the inflammation is unknown but it is believed that the immune system, which normally protects the body from infections and other diseases, misfires and attacks the hair follicles.
Therefore, it is understood to be an autoimmune condition, says Alopecia UK.
Genetics may be behind the condition, but there are other things thought to trigger it, including a virus, iron deficiency or stress. Studies are not conclusive.
For women, sometimes birth can trigger postpartum alopecia.
In most cases of alopecia areata, hair will grow back in a few months to a year. At first, hair may grow back fine and white, but over time it should thicken and regain its normal colour.
There is no cure for the condition, only treatments that are not guaranteed to work.
People with alopecia may need to take extra precautions, including protecting their skin and eyes when outside and preventing stress.
“I need to brave the wig. Never in a million years did I think I would ever suffer with alopecia. Wigs look amazing,” said a second.
“You’re such a good person Mel you look fab regardless. No one would know it was a a wig which is I guess the point. Thanks for helping us all sort our heads out! Big hug to you,” added a third.
Mel replied: “Thanks for your message. Me getting a wig has nothing to do with others peoples perceptions of me, or how it looks to them.
“It is purely for me, my life and having options.”
Speaking out on Instagram at the end of 2025, Mel revealed her battle with alopecia.
“I’ve got an autoimmune condition, I am losing my hair, I keep having crazy inflammation all over and I am working on healing,” she said at the time.
“In the last three months, I’ve done a meditation teacher training course.
“I was too ill to finish it like. The last two days of it I couldn’t do.
“It’s meditation teacher training, I don’t necessarily want to teach, but I can do…
“Mostly I’ve been living a very, very very spiritual existence.”
, has become increasingly spiritual since her health battle began last April.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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