Christina Applegate, 54, Resurfaces With A 'Fresh Hair Color' & Fans Are Going Wild

Christina Applegate debuted a fresh hairstyle following her four-month hospital stay in Los Angeles amid her multiple sclerosis health issues. Over a month after returning home on August 4, 2026, the actor took to social media to show off her new look in an Instagram reel posted on September 21, 2026. Dave Stanwell is the hairstylist who gave her the new 'do, which boasts healthy blond hair with glamorous straight styling. "Fresh hair color, new weird spot on my cheek haha thank you @davestanwell for brightening up my cloudy day. Love you and love to you all out there," she captioned the Instagram post. 

As Applegate mentioned in her caption, another new change to her appearance is visible in the video: a dark mark on her right cheek that has formed amid her ongoing health complications. Since revealing that she had been diagnosed with MS in 2021, the star has experienced various symptoms. In her March 2026 memoir, "You with the Sad Eyes", Applegate takes readers inside her multiple sclerosis diagnosis by diving deep into the side effects and lifestyle changes the disorder has caused.

In her revealing memoir, she discusses how the autoimmune disease has changed her life. "When I wake up, I often can't get my arm to move far enough to grab the cup of water by my bed or my phone from its charger," she writes (via Today). "One of the worst side effects of the illness is the exhaustion. It feels as though I've been on a three‑ day‑ long sleepless bender," she continues. The Hollywood star has made several public appearances with a walking stick to help alleviate her symptoms, including the 2023 Emmys and SAG Awards. Given how public her health battle has been over the years, her new haircut and appearance have sparked reinvigorated support for the actor. 

Ever since Christina Applegate shared a heartbreaking update on her multiple sclerosis, her fans have rushed to support her through her health struggles. When she posted a new updated look to her Instagram in September 2026, many fans took to the comments to compliment her appearance and show their love for the celebrity. Social media users praised Applegate's fresh hairstyle and lighter color, which made her look energetic and youthful. "You look beautiful I love the color," one fan commented. "You are so beautiful. So happy to see you looking radiant even when your body is probably feeling the opposite. Chronic illness sucks. Sending a gentle hug," another wrote.

The actor has also helped others with MS feel seen and find a community that can relate to and understand what they are going through. "Of all the MS voices out there, yours resonates the most with me," a user commented on her post. "Dealing with MS, residual breast cancer issues, osteoporosis, menopause — it's like a daily whack-a-mole of symptoms. Weird cheek spot fits right in. But we get our hair done, get dressed, put on some shoes that are not at all cute but that will allow us to walk at least a little ... and carry on."

With Applegate getting brutally honest about how she's dealing with her MS diagnosis, many of her industry peers continue to show love to the actor on her Instagram. Chelsea Handler, Ken Jeong, Octavia Spencer, and Kyle Richards are just some of the many stars who commented to express their support and celebrate her fresh look. "Always beautiful friend!" actor Kearran Giovanni wrote. "Babe you are the funniest and the hottest. Always have been our royalty," actor Vanessa Marcil added.