Melanie Sykes recently shared a photograph of her bald head on Instagram, framing it as a source of 'Monday motivation' as she continues to manage her alopecia. The 55-year-old television presenter revealed that she has lost approximately two-thirds of her hair due to the condition.
Sykes posted the image on a Monday, accompanied by the caption: 'Divine Timing .......... #itsathing #workout #mondaymotivations #beginagain #build,' alongside arm muscle emojis. She wore a pink vest top in the photo, and comments were disabled for the post.
This display followed her initial debut of a shaved head approximately a week prior, where she updated her followers on her alopecia journey. Sykes first publicly disclosed her alopecia diagnosis in April of the previous year, sharing images that illustrated the extent of her hair loss.
In December, Sykes had spoken about her health, stating, 'I am not well, as you know, I've been ill all year. I've got a condition. I'm losing my hair. I keep having crazy, like, all over everything, and I'm working on healing.' She also mentioned dealing with a heart condition causing palpitations and widespread inflammation.
Towards the end of the year, Sykes shared a positive health update, identifying her experience as 'Post-Traumatic Growth.' She described feeling 'vibrating high' after 'transcending trauma,' which she linked to her battle with the autoimmune condition. Post-Traumatic Growth, she explained, refers to positive psychological changes experienced after significant life crises.
Sykes elaborated on this concept, stating, 'Even the most difficult times do pass... you can be suffering from PTSD but still at the same time be experiencing post traumatic growth.' She acknowledged being in 'both camps' simultaneously, emphasizing the importance of self-care, processing grief, and moving forward. "We can transcend all trauma, we can be changed, and I am living f***ing proof of that!" she asserted.
Earlier this year, she provided another update, referring to her remaining hair as her 'crown.' She noted that while she experiences coldness, necessitating headwear, she is learning to live with loss and focus on gratitude. 'It's not always easy to be grateful, but it is the key to happiness and takes daily, moment-to-moment practice. Practice love,' she advised.
Sykes, known for her role in the Boddingtons Bitter beer advert in the mid-1990s, first confirmed her alopecia by showing a bald spot in April last year. At the time, she indicated that this was part of ongoing health investigations in London and attributed her alopecia and heart issues to 'PTSD, shock, mistreatment and malpractice' over the preceding months.
She has encouraged her fans not to worry about her, stating she has learned to take care of herself and is healing. "Life is so good, and I know it because I'm right here right now and there's nothing to fear," she said. Sykes expressed her preference for focusing conversations on other topics while she continues her healing process. "Don't worry about me, I've got me, I've always got me, I've learned to really take care of myself in the last two years," she stated.
In addition to alopecia, Sykes revealed she is living with widespread inflammation. She has also been engaging in a 'spiritual existence,' which has included a meditation teacher training course, though she was too ill to complete the final days. She has reignited her YouTube channel, sharing her journey of learning, meditating, and healing, describing it as an ongoing process.