Dr. Craig Ziering Mentioned in OPRAHDAILY| Everything You Need to Know About Alopecia

The moment made an impression on everyone who was watching the 94th annual Academy Awards ceremony: Will Smith, nominated for Best Actor for his role in King Richard, approaching the Oscars stage to strike Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. The slap heard round the world, many are calling it. But the incident also spawned a larger conversation about an important topic—alopecia, or hair loss.

Pinkett Smith has been open about the pressures of aging in Hollywood and her battle with alopecia, but Rock’s joke clearly struck a nerve with her husband, who, in spite of their up-and-down relationship, rushed to her defense. Once the dust settled, many began to wonder, What exactly is alopecia? Ahead, top experts explain more about the condition, what causes it, who is most likely to be affected, and the treatments available.