Lili Reinhart says red light therapy is her 'new bestfriend' as she reveals her recent alopecia diagnosis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lili Reinhart shared a deeply personal update with her fans as she disclosed that she has recently been diagnosed with alopecia.

The 27-year-old took to TikTok on Monday, January 30, to post a video during her red light therapy session.

Lili Reinhart says she was diagnosed with alopecia amid a 'major depressive episode'

In the video of Reinhart undergoing red light therapy treatment, the 'Riverdale' star shared that she "was just diagnosed with alopecia in the midst of a major depressive episode."

Reinhart who has been battling with depression and anxiety and has been open about her mental health journey lip-synced over the audio of a man saying, "I’m pushed beyond the limits of what a person should be pushed to endure."

"Red light therapy is my new best friend #alopecia #mentalhealth," she captioned the post.

What is alopecia?

Alopecia occurs when "the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss," according to the National Institute of Health.

The condition usually affects the head and face. The most common type is "patchy alopecia areata," where coin-sized bald spots on the scalp of a person develop, and in severe cases, it can cause hair loss all over the body. 

The National Alopecia Areata Foundation reported that the cause of alopecia is unknown and it affects as many as 6.7 million people in the US alone.

What is red light therapy?

As per the Cleveland Clinic, red light therapy aligns with emerging trends in promoting its efficacy for common skin conditions and improves hair growth in people diagnosed with androgenic alopecia.

Alopecia is not an uncommon condition, and its psychological impact can be profound. Other celebrities, such as Jada Pinkett Smith, have been candid about their struggles with hair loss over the last few years.

In 2018, Pinkett Smith revealed her alopecia diagnosis as she said that it "was terrifying" when it first started. "I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands and I was just like, 'Oh my God, am I going bald?'" said the actress.

"It was one of those times in my life where I was literally shaking in fear. That's why I cut my hair, and why I continue to cut it," she added, according to People.

In August 2023, Pinkett Smith disclosed that her hair is making a "come back." "Still have some trouble spots but — we'll see," she said at the time.