“It’s like when your house burns down – at least I don’t have to hoover,” the documentarian joked in a candid Instagram post.
British filmmaker and broadcaster Louis Theroux has shared a personal health update, revealing he is preparing for a full head shave as he continues to experience patchy hair loss caused by alopecia.
The 54-year-old, known for his acclaimed documentaries and distinctive on-screen presence, took to Instagram to update his 1.1 million followers with recent images of his hair – which he says he has cut shorter to manage the visual impact of his condition.
“Latest from alopecia-land,” Theroux wrote in the caption. “I’ve cut the hair short because I realised the longer it was the worse it looked. But it’s patchy AF and I’m basically preparing the way for a full head shave some time in the next 12 months.”
In his typical dry humour, the presenter added he would be taking inspiration from bald icons like Stanley Tucci and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, referencing their signature looks.
“Big glasses a la Tucci, big muscles a la Dwayne Johnson, plus a year-round tan. That’s the formula.”
Theroux also included a throwback image from 1994, joking, “The hair was always a problem, which I will have to worry about less and less as it disappears.”
“It’s like when your house burns down. ‘At least I don’t have to hoover!’” he added.
Fans show support and gratitude
The post prompted an outpouring of support from fans, many of whom praised Theroux for his honesty and for raising awareness about alopecia, a condition that can affect people of all ages and genders.
One fan wrote: “As someone who also suffers from bouts of patchy alopecia, thank you for sharing!” while another commented, “Hair or no hair – a true legend.”
Theroux has previously shared his journey with alopecia, including attempts at microblading his eyebrows and dyeing his hair to manage the cosmetic effects of the condition.
Understanding alopecia
According to the charity Alopecia UK, alopecia is a general term for hair loss, with different types such as alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and androgenetic alopecia. Causes can vary from autoimmune conditions to stress or genetics, and treatments are often limited or cosmetic.
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Fans continue to rally around Theroux, whose humour, openness, and resilience have once again made an impact beyond the screen.
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