Ex on the Beach star ZaraLena Jackson has opened up about her battle with alopecia after shaving her head.
ZaraLena, who starred on the sixth series of the MTV show alongside Joshua Ritchie and Geordie Shore stars Aaron Chalmers and Zahida Allen back in 2017, unveiled her new look on Instagram after “braving the shave” when her hair started to fall out.
The reality star’s hair first began losing hair just five weeks ago when a “viral hit” caused her immune system to begin attacking itself.
Opening up about her condition, ZaraLena wrote, “Bald is beautiful… So on Friday I decided to brave the shave. My hair has fallen in the space of just 5 weeks and it was time to deal with it all leaving me for a while. Still an unknown cause but with the radical fall it’s looking like a viral hit to my immune system [is] causing it to attack itself.
“Despite the past month being the hardest challenge I’ve faced I’ll be damned if I let it take over my life as well as my hair. For those also suffering with alopecia this one's for you. I’m there to hold your hand through every step of the way, regardless of the good or bad days.
“Things get put into perspective when you’re tested with challenges like this, but it is just a test and I’m hoping it’s the making of me.”
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She continued, “I’m thankful I’ve got this opportunity to show a raw/real fight to whoever sees my posts. Because unfortunately we live in a world where the pressures to be something special are immense to a point where people hide their struggles and pretend life is perfect. It’s not. And that’s ok sometimes.
“Hopefully a year from now I’ll look back and have not only thicker hair, but thicker skin too.”
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Following her brave admission, ZaraLena was inundated with messages of support from her celeb pals and fans including Love Island’s Chloe Crowhurt who wrote, “Girl! You look bloody incredible!!! Xxxx.”
Former The Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon added, “👏👏👏👏 owning it! LOVE THIS #powerfulfxckingwoman.”
Her Ex on the Beach co-star Sean Pratt then commented, “Well done to you Zara for being so strong and proud!! 💪🏾💜 sending love and positivity your way!”
“❤️ So beautiful so brave,” added Charlotte Dawson.
One fan wrote, “You look so beautiful Zara! You are such an inspiration,” while another added, “Such an inspo, you look beautiful 😻🔥 WOW!”