Melanie Sykes shows bald head after revealing alopecia battle

Melanie Sykes Reveals Bald Look

Melanie Sykes has shown fans her new look after months of dealing with severe hair loss linked to alopecia.

The 55-year-old TV personality appeared in a fresh Instagram selfie without a wig or head covering, smiling as she revealed her fully shaved-looking scalp. In the caption, she kept the message brief, writing: "Loss Gain Life."

The update comes after Sykes admitted that her hair had been disappearing at a much faster rate following more than a year of gradual loss. She has told followers that the experience has been difficult, but she is trying to face it with openness, humour and a focus on healing.

The former ITV star has also spoken about wider health problems, including an autoimmune condition and recurring inflammation. At one point, she said she had become too unwell to finish the final part of a meditation teacher training course, though she has continued to describe this period as a deeply reflective chapter in her life.

In recent weeks, Sykes said she had been experimenting with wigs after moving away from scarves. She also explained that she wanted her scalp exposed to daylight, hoping it might support the possibility of regrowth.

Alopecia is a condition that can cause partial or complete hair loss. One common form, alopecia areata, happens when the immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles. Some people develop small bald patches, while others lose all scalp hair or, in rarer cases, hair across the body. There is no permanent cure, but treatments can help stimulate regrowth for some patients.

Sykes first discussed her diagnosis publicly last year. She said her symptoms, including rapid hair loss and an irregular heartbeat, appeared after renewed attention around allegations involving TV chef Gino D’Acampo. The pair previously worked together on ITV’s Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel between 2011 and 2014.

Her decision to speak openly adds to wider entertainment-industry conversations about alopecia. Jada Pinkett Smith has helped bring global attention to the condition, while British presenter Gail Porter has long been known for raising awareness of visible hair loss.