How Ashley Tisdale’s Unexpected Health Diagnosis Revamped Her Wellness Journey

We all know and love Ashley Tisdale from her on-screen appearances as Sharpay Evans from the High School Musical trilogy, Maddie Fitzpatrick on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Candace Flynn from Phineas and Ferb (which will be returning as a reboot and is set to premiere on Disney+ in 2025.) But the multi-hyphenate actor, singer, producer, entrepreneur, and mom is adding another role to her list of talents: advocate. After being diagnosed with alopecia areata in her early 20s, Tisdale is now raising awareness about the autoimmune disorder and sharing her personal journey of living with the condition. We spoke with Tisdale, and here’s everything she wants you to know about alopecia areata, her experiences with the condition, how she’s raising awareness about the disease, and what her wellness routine looks like now.

What is alopecia areata, anyway?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sudden and patchy hair loss—mostly on the scalp, but can also affect the face and other parts of the body. This condition is actually quite common and affects 7 million people in the U.S. and 160 million people worldwide. What exactly triggers alopecia areata isn’t clear, as experts believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the development of autoimmune conditions. But, what we do know is that alopecia areata causes your immune system to accidentally attack your hair follicles, which leads to inflammation and eventual hair loss.

Tisdale knew it was time to talk to someone when she started noticing some hair loss on her hairline. “It’s pretty jarring to look in the mirror and see a noticeable difference, and when I saw more hair in my brush and shower drain, I knew I wasn’t imagining things,” Tisdale tells Well+Good.

She first spoke with her hair colorist, who encouraged Tisdale to reach out to a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin, nail, and hair health). Her diagnosis came shortly after adding a dermatologist to her healthcare team, who helped her understand the condition and discuss treatment options.

Tisdale explains that learning about her condition wasn’t easy. “The most difficult thing about the diagnosis was understanding that alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can be really unpredictable,” she says. “I’m not someone who likes unpredictability!” But, finding a diagnosis for her symptoms was an important first step in being proactive in her health journey.

Tisdale’s experiences with hair loss, then and now

In the early years after her diagnosis, Tisdale tells us that she kept her condition private. “I would wear a hat or do a side part to cover my hair loss.” She also explains that she wore extensions or wigs in some of her acting roles. “I grew up as a performer, and I didn’t always want to show everyone what I was really experiencing,” she shares. Working in an industry that places heavy importance on your appearance can make it difficult to be open about changes to your hair—or any physical feature, for that matter.

Tisdale also explains that alopecia areata affected her self-esteem and made her anxious that her hair loss would affect her ability to land the acting gigs she wanted. “There are times when I’d have patchy hair while having to do press or be on camera, and that made me feel less confident,” she says. Not only are her experiences completely valid, but the research agrees with her. Studies show that losing your hair can affect your confidence levels and lead to a lack of control over your appearance and identity.

But as the years have passed, she’s learned more about alopecia areata, worked with her dermatologist closely, and relied on her loved ones for support—all of which have helped her flip the page from a story of fear to one of empowerment. “I’ve felt empowered to share my journey and hope I can encourage others to be open about what they’re experiencing, too,” she adds.

How she’s using her platform to raise awareness

Earlier this year, Tisdale partnered with biopharmaceutical company, Pfizer, to spread awareness about alopecia areata and encourage others who are experiencing hair loss to reach out to a dermatologist to get the care they need. On June 23, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pfizer’s Litfulo (ritlecitinib), a once-daily pill that can help treat severe alopecia areata in people aged 12 years or older.

While Tisdale is not taking Litfulo or any other prescription treatments at the moment, she explains that her partnership with Pfizer was inspired by her desire to educate others about alopecia areata and ensure “other people [with the condition] don’t feel alone and know their options.” It’s worth noting that like any other medication, Litfulo isn’t for everyone and can increase your risk of infections, heart-related issues, cancer, blood clots, and death. That’s why it’s essential to talk to your healthcare provider about your options and only take treatments that are safe for you and your health needs.

In addition to working with Pfizer, Tisdale has also used her platform to create her own wellness brand, Frenshe, a community-based site that is dedicated to uncomplicating wellness and making it accessible for everyone. “I started Frenshe to share my own wellness journey,” Tisdale says. “I always hope that Frenshe helps people find a version of wellness that works for them.” Wellness products, such as candles, hair care, and fragrances, from Tisdale’s Being Frenshe line are also available for purchase at Target—and more goodies are on the way in 2025.

What do both of these ventures have in common? Tisdale’s passion for spreading knowledge about alopecia areata and empowering others to take ownership of their wellness. She urges people who are experiencing hair loss to reach out to a dermatologist for support. Getting a diagnosis for any health condition can be scary at first, but getting answers can help you understand how to live well with it.

A closer look into her hair care and self-care routine

Like many of us, Tisdale’s wellness routine is always evolving. Lately, she’s been focused on giving her hair and her overall well-being some TLC.

Tisdale revealed on Instagram that she gave birth to her second child, Emerson Clover French, in September. Being a mother of now two young children has inspired her to still make time for wellness, while also simplifying her routine.”I’ve been paying more attention to my hair health so I can give it what it needs,” Tisdale says. Recently, she dyed her hair to a darker color to closely match her natural shade. She also tells us that weekly hair masks and embracing her natural texture (a trend that we *love*) keep her hair feeling moisturized and healthy. “I’m letting my waves do their thing.”

Outside of hair care, she incorporates other self-care practices that keep her mind and body healthy. Some of her favorites include meditation, Pilates, hiking, and making time for gratitude. But like any other parent, Tisdale doesn’t always have extra time to donate to wellness, so she finds it important to carve even just a few moments a day to pause. “There are days when I might only have 15 minutes to myself for a coffee break, but I’m going to make those 15 minutes really count.”