Ricki Lake Reveals Buzz Cut And Hair Loss

Source: Ricki Lake/Instagram

Ricki Lake has opened up about a personal issue that she has been suffering in silence for over 20 years. At 51-years-old, some changes in hair is to be expected and considered even normal. When women begin to enter perimenopause, they may notice some changes in their hair. What Ricki Lake revealed she is dealing with is much more than hormone-related hair loss. According to Ricki, she has been suffering hair loss for nearly 30 years and though she attributes hormonal changes as a contributing factor. She also believes the hairstyle she wore when playing Tracy Turnblad for the movie Hairspray played a part. She wanted people to know that she buzzed off her hair and felt liberated and free but wanted the public to know she isn’t sick or suffering a breakdown…though she definitely struggled emotionally when she began losing her hair.

The emotional toll the hair loss caused Ricki Lake was more than anyone could have imagined, had they known what she was going through. Ricki said that she even became suicidal but suffered in silence. She said that no one knew what she was going through, not even her therapist.

Speaking about what she believes contributed to the hair loss, Ricki Lake stated the following.

“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 own hair in the film.) From Hairspray to Hairless. 🙁 In my case, I believe my hair loss was due to many factors, yo-yo dieting, hormonal birth control, radical weight fluctuations over the years, my pregnancies, genetics, stress, and hair dyes and extensions. Working as talent on various shows and movies, whether DWTS or my talk show, also took its toll on my fine hair.”

You may see the full post that Ricki Lake shared on her Facebook account below.

https://www.facebook.com/msrickilake/photos/a.844467225594306/3428553210519015/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAvDv9hp-GdUfeiK995UjMZFKTmsqI1suZeJ7Hi8u94mqCUBMPT3EYzYnZoTXSrH30P8UjfSHgTo_wLgSk7Gxc7-s4ek7k55l_y-BlMkKIo9648gZV1s_QiW6FX4G_Cf2V747Mz-LenfO8IhPf7YnpP7z3k4D-kJ0K4cE9pGKm38BZlHiIc1NkCldqHVpupLFROM8w48P3d6jXcOo2geykEsgrxZ_rft3amx6cEry3EWUE4Hu0Ec2MxPFC-1t3Ow_962_V_bXKDbLvCTZQ11EOVyHI1QEMAilPzj-MpMsrJAf1-BVi2y4cZHRXmwzMC9usoTSEHktAb_3KTZfpOMl7oRw&__tn__=-R

Ricki shared an additional photo on her personal Instagram account where she also revealed her hair loss story to her fans and followers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6yeeG-Jnx-/

Ricki emphasized that she was speaking out on behalf of the countless men and women who are also suffering silently and in shame. Ricki stated that she knows she is not alone and wants to help others while also free herself from the bondage of keeping it a secret.

Ricki also indicated that she has gone through many treatments that would result in hair growth, only to go through a shedding stage again where she would lose her hair.

After the last shedding incident, Ricki said enough was enough and opted for the buzz cut. Response to the look has been one of praise and acceptance. Most people agree that Ricki looks gorgeous and the new cut looks striking on her.

What do you think?