Canadian meteorologist Kelsey McEwen opens up about alopecia, urges fans to embrace flaws: 'It's my bald spot'

Kelsey McEwen is getting candid about her "so-called imperfection." On Sunday, the "Your Morning" meteorologist took to Instagram to open up about having alopecia — and to remind her fans that the beauty standard on social media "isn't real," urging them not to compare themselves to others.

McEwen shared a reel showing a part of her life she had previously kept private. The video began with on-screen text: "I've always prided myself on being transparent on this platform but I haven't shared this. It's my bald spot." In the video, McEwen tied her hair up into a ponytail, revealing a small bald spot along her hairline.

"It’s a form of alopecia," she explained, "and I've just started treatment and I'm really hopeful in six to eight weeks it’s responsive a little and the hairs start to grow."

She admitted she hasn't talked about it before "because I'm a little bit self-conscious and embarrassed about it," McEwen added: "As someone who believes our appearance is the least important part of us, it’s infuriating to have this tiny little spot of no hair consume so much of my brain."

Alopecia is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. This can result in round patches of hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. There are several forms of alopecia — alopecia areata being the most common, characterized by sudden, patches of hair loss. A more severe form is alopecia totalis, which causes complete loss of scalp hair, and alopecia universalis, which results in the loss of all body hair.

According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, approximately two per cent of Canadians will experience alopecia areata at some point in their lives​.

The mom-of-two explained that to cover up the bald area, she applies makeup. She also reminded her followers that nobody is perfect and that's what secures our individuality. "I use powder to cover it up, but I'm sharing today because social media isn't real. It can be easy to feel inadequate if you have a so-called imperfection. But I want you to know and I'm reminding myself that it's not a bad thing, it just makes you you," she penned.

In the caption, the Canadian TV personality reiterated her message of self-acceptance, writing, "Alopecia… the curve ball I wasn't expecting 2024 to throw at me. Reminder for you (and for me). You are worthy as you are, no matter what makes you you. All of it, not just the good parts."

McEwen's decision to share her alopecia journey was met with supportive messages from fans in the comment section. "Kelsey, you are such an authentic person and I so appreciate all you bring to everyday. I think it’s amazing that you shared this and allowed yourself to be vulnerable in that way. We all have those things we wish were different, but being in the public eye must make it so much harder," a fan commented.

"Thanks for sharing this. My hair hasn’t grown in three years. I’m bald at the back of my head it’s very hard for me," someone else shared.

"I always had thick hair until having chemo/stem cell transplant. Thin hair is something I struggle with but can hide with the help of products. I still worry that people can see how bad it is and that they judge me for something out of my control. Thank you for normalizing hair loss and reminding people that the perfection we often see on social media is not real life," wrote another.

"Thanks for sharing, I've had alopecia for over 20 years. It can feel very lonely," a commenter chimed in.

Back in February, McEwen shared another candid Instagram post championing self-love.

Alongside an Instagram reel showing her fans how she gets camera-ready, she wrote: "Sometimes confidence comes in the form of a killer outfit. Sometimes confidence comes from the work you've done to accept yourself. Sometimes confidence comes from simply being around people who are good to you."

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