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Barbie dolls with no hair and vitiligo aim to diversify iconic toy range

Toy maker Mattel has been working to diversify its iconic range of Barbie dolls.

Undated handout photo issued by Mattel of their range of Barbie dolls. The makers of Barbie dolls are to sell a version that looks as if it has the skin condition vitiligo and another with no hair, in an effort to increase the diversity of the range. PA Photo. Issue date: Monday January 27, 2020. Mattel said it wants to provide a "multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion" and "represent global diversity and inclusivity". See PA story CONSUMER Barbie. Photo credit should read: Mattel/PA Wire
Image: Mattel has been working to diversify the Barbie range
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Barbie dolls with no hair are hitting store shelves in a bid to up the diversity of the range and help comfort girls who are going through hair loss.

Another version of the iconic toy made to look as though it has the skin condition vitiligo, which causes pale white patches to develop on the skin, is also being launched this week.

Mattel said the new dolls would ensure that Barbie represents "global diversity and inclusivity".

Undated handout photo issued by Mattel of their range of Barbie dolls. The makers of Barbie dolls are to sell a version that looks as if it has the skin condition vitiligo and another with no hair, in an effort to increase the diversity of the range. PA Photo. Issue date: Monday January 27, 2020. Mattel said it wants to provide a "multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion" and "represent global diversity and inclusivity". See PA story CONSUMER Barbie. Photo credit should read: Mattel/PA Wire
Image: Barbie dolls with no hair are hitting store shelves

The hairless variant, a prototype of which became the brand's most liked Instagram post ever last year, has been designed to be "reflective of trends seen from catwalk to the sidewalk".

"If a girl is experiencing hair loss for any reason, she can see herself reflected in the line," Mattel added.

Both additions will further diversify a range that has seen Mattel criticised over the years for making the dolls overly sexualised and too thin.

But in 2016, a Fashionistas line of Barbies was introduced that included more body types, skin tones and hairstyles, while the following year saw the launch of the first hijab-wearing Barbie.

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Undated handout photo issued by Mattel of their range of Barbie dolls. The makers of Barbie dolls are to sell a version that looks as if it has the skin condition vitiligo and another with no hair, in an effort to increase the diversity of the range. PA Photo. Issue date: Monday January 27, 2020. Mattel said it wants to provide a "multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion" and "represent global diversity and inclusivity". See PA story CONSUMER Barbie. Photo credit should read: Mattel/PA Wire
Image: One new doll has been made to look like it has vitiligo

There has also been a wheelchair-using Barbie, one with a hearing impairment to encourage children to learn about sign language, and another with a prosthetic limb.

Mattel says the two bestselling Barbie Fashionista dolls in the UK in 2019 were ones with wheelchairs, while a "curvy black doll with afro hair" took the global number one spot.