Louis Theroux unveils dramatic new look as he issues update amid alopecia battle

22 August 2023 , 19:15

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Louis Theroux debuts 'weird' white beard and urges fans to 'remain calm'

Louis Theroux has urged his fans to 'remain calm' after sharing a dramatic update on his health journey with alopecia.

The legendary documentary maker took to Instagram on Tuesday to post a photo of him sporting a "sparse white beard", just a few months after revealing he was suffering from the life-changing autoimmune disorder. Louis's wispy facial hair has spurted alongside the disappearance of the locks on his head, much to the 53-year-old's surprise.

"New bald patches are appearing in my “top hair” (the hair on top of my head) BUT I can now grow a weird straggly and rather sparse white beard," he captioned the selfie. "So that’s something."

Louis also shared the positive news that there are some "tiny patches of regrowth" on his left eyebrow, which he revealed had also been affected by the alopecia last month. The father-of-three explained that he was sharing updates so that the public could "acclimatise to the new partially depilated me", before joking that he had begun to resemble "a half-plucked elephant bird."

Louis Theroux also revealed the alopecia has migrated to his eyebrow (Instagram)

Louis Theroux at Stormzy's 30th birthday in July (Getty Images)

Louis signed off his most recent post by telling his 814k followers he's taking vitamin D, iron and biotin to treat his symptoms, but remains unconvinced the supplements are effective. "Is it helping? Who knows?"

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His loyal fans were quick to reassure the broadcaster, with many taking to the comment section to compliment his new look. "Cute as always. Hair is over rated, too," one person wrote, while another sweet follower said, "Louis! please remember that hair is both silly and temporary, and that we love YOU for your beautiful and inquisitive mind and uniquely refreshing personality."

Back in June, Louis predicted that he "might be bald" by 2025 after noticing a bald spot on the back of his head. The Weird Weekends star had initially been diagnosed with alopecia barbae (of the beard), which left him unable to properly grow his signature stubble. The condition appears to have migrated to affect his actual hair, however, suggesting he may be rocking a shiny scalp soon rather than later.

"And now a bald patch has appeared on the back of my head making me wonder if my proper hair-hair might be next to go. In two years or less I may be bald!" the witty filmmaker confessed.

Emma Dooney