SPRINGFIELD — To raise awareness and improve understanding of a rare but life-altering condition, State Senator Adriane Johnson presented a resolution to the Senate declaring September 2025 as Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month in Illinois.

“Scarring alopecia is more than just hair loss — it’s a permanent, often painful condition that deeply impacts people’s physical and emotional well-being,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By naming September as Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on this condition and supporting those who live with it.”

Senate Joint Resolution 36 seeks to increase public awareness of scarring alopecia — a group of rare disorders that destroy hair follicles, replace them with scar tissue and result in irreversible hair loss. Early detection and appropriate medical treatment are essential to slowing the progression of the disease and preserving scalp health.

Public understanding of scarring alopecia remains low, which often leads to delayed diagnoses, mismanagement of symptoms, and a lack of access to specialized care. By bringing this issue to the forefront, Johnson hopes to foster empathy, education and advocacy.

“This condition disproportionately affects Black women, who often face delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialized care and additional stigma tied to cultural perceptions of hair,” said Johnson. “Raising awareness is not just a medical issue — it’s a health equity issue.”

Senate Joint Resolution 36 was adopted by the Senate Friday.