Actress Hina Khan has shaved her head to avoid the mental stress of hair fall due to chemotherapy she has been undergoing for treatment of stage 3 breast cancer, shows a video she shared on Thursday.

The actress also mentioned that while she will wear a wig whenever necessary, she will also proudly embrace her bald head.

"The pixie says adios. It’s time to buzz it off. Here’s another attempt to normalize the hardest phase of this journey, aesthetically speaking. Remember ladies, our strength is our patience and calm. If we put our minds to it, nothing is unattainable," wrote Hina alongside the video.

In the video, the actress emphasised the importance of her mental well-being over any physical attribute. "If your mental health is okay, your physical health will be ten times better. So, to work on your physical health, you have to focus on your mental health. I want to work on my mental health, stay positive, and avoid any mental stress during this journey. I want to stay strong and do everything to reduce my mental stress. So it is about all these things," she said.

The 36-year-old actress also said she has chosen to accept her battle scars and embrace the new version of herself. “You can win this only if you embrace yourself and accept this. I choose to accept my battle scars because I believe if you embrace yourself, you are one step closer to where you are heading, and I really want to heal,” she shared.

Addressing women going through similar phases, Hina acknowledged the difficulty of the journey. “To all you people out there working through this tough time, I know how hard it is. It is very painful and stressful. But you’re still you, and nothing is going to change that. You’re more beautiful. Embrace this version of yourself, embrace this new truth, this new journey, with every breath, every cell, in every single way possible,” she signed off.

Ever since Hina was diagnosed with breast cancer, she has kept her followers updated on her treatment. Last month, she shared a video of her first chemotherapy session, recounting how she had gone straight to the hospital for her first chemo session after attending an award ceremony. “I attended the event and went straight up to the hospital for my first chemo,” reads Hina’s caption on the social media platform.

Later, the actress shared another video that showed her cutting her hair short after her first chemo session. “I have decided to give myself every chance possible to win this battle. I choose to let go of my beautiful hair before it starts falling off. I didn’t want to endure this mental breakdown for weeks. So, I choose to let go of my crown because I’ve realised my real crown is my courage, my strength, and the love I have for myself,” wrote Hina in her caption.

Hina had also shared a video of her first work assignment following her first chemotherapy session. In a long note, she stressed the importance of dealing with life’s biggest challenges. “Walking the talk is challenging, especially when facing life’s biggest challenges. So, give yourself a break on bad days; it’s okay… you deserve it. However, don’t forget to live your life on the good days, no matter how few they are,” she wrote, adding how much she looked forward to working.

“I love my work. I live my dreams when I’m working, and that is my greatest motivation. I want to keep working,” the actress asserted and encouraged others to follow their passion without giving up.

Hina, who shot to fame with her role as Akshara in the popular TV serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, was last seen in the Punjabi film Shinda Shinda No Papa alongside Gippy Grewal.