Melanie Sykes has appeared in her first modeling campaign since announcing her diagnosis with alopecia, a condition that led her to shave her head after losing a significant portion of her hair. The television presenter, 55, is featured in a new campaign for sunglasses brand Cubitts, showcasing her new look.
Sykes opted to shave her head after alopecia resulted in the loss of approximately two-thirds of her hair. She has been open about her experience since her diagnosis in April of the previous year. Alopecia areata, the most common autoimmune form of the condition, affects about two percent of the global population and causes patchy hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia, on the other hand, is hormonally driven and accounts for common male and female pattern baldness.
In the recent photoshoot for Cubitts, Sykes returned to her hometown of Manchester. The campaign introduces the brand's newest sunglass design, Britannia, alongside upcoming styles Athlone and Topham.
Sykes first shared details of her alopecia battle in April last year, posting images on Instagram that illustrated the extent of her hair loss. She described her condition in December, stating she had been ill all year and was losing her hair. At that time, she also mentioned struggling with a heart condition causing palpitations and widespread inflammation throughout her body.
Earlier this year, Sykes shared a positive health update, referring to her experience as 'Post-Traumatic Growth.' She explained on Instagram that she was 'vibrating high' after 'transcending trauma,' referencing her ongoing battle with the autoimmune condition. Post-Traumatic Growth is defined as the positive psychological change that can occur in individuals following a life crisis or traumatic event.
Sykes has spoken about the challenges of her condition, noting in an earlier update that her 'crown' is what remains of her hair and that she has been learning to live with loss. She also acknowledged the need for headwear due to feeling cold, but emphasized the importance of gratitude as a key to happiness, requiring daily practice. She expressed that while it is not always easy, practicing love is also essential.