Hair Fall in the UAE: Causes and What Can Help

Hair fall in the UAE is usually caused by the same things as anywhere else: your genes, stress, illness, hormone changes such as after pregnancy, tight hairstyles and nutrient gaps like low iron. The heat, strong sun, air conditioning and tap water can leave hair dry and more likely to snap, but there is limited evidence that UAE water itself causes hair loss.

Here is what is normal, what might be behind extra shedding, and which products are worth asking about.

Normal shedding vs hair loss

Everyone loses hair every day. Losing somewhere around 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal, and you will often see more on wash days. It is worth paying attention if:

• you see much more hair than usual in the shower or your brush for several weeks
• your parting looks wider or your ponytail feels thinner
• your hairline is moving back or the crown is thinning
• you notice bald patches, or hair snapping off short

Common causes of hair fall

Genetics

Hereditary hair loss, also called male or female pattern hair loss, is very common. Men often notice a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. Women usually notice thinning across the top of the head and a wider parting.

Stress, illness and big changes

A high fever, an operation, a very stressful time or a crash diet can push many hairs into their resting phase at once. The shedding often starts a few months later, so people do not always link the two. It usually settles on its own.

After pregnancy

Many women notice heavy shedding a few months after giving birth. It is linked to hormone changes, it is usually temporary, and you do not need to stop breastfeeding because of it.

Tight hairstyles

Tight ponytails, braids, extensions and tight caps or underscarves pull on the roots and, over time, can thin the hair along the hairline.

Low iron, diet and health conditions

Low iron, very restrictive diets and too little protein can all play a part, and thyroid problems and some medicines can affect hair too. A doctor can arrange a blood test rather than guessing.

Hair fall in the UAE: is the water or heat to blame?

Many newcomers ask whether the water is to blame. Here is what we know.

• Water: UAE tap water is mostly desalinated and can contain minerals and chlorine, which can leave hair feeling dry and rough. Dry hair breaks more easily, and breakage can look like hair fall, but it is different from hair coming out at the root. Evidence that the water itself causes hair loss is limited.
• Heat and sun: Strong sun can dry out and weaken the hair shaft, and sweat under caps or scarves can leave the scalp oily or itchy.
• Air conditioning: Long hours in cool, dry air can leave hair and scalp feeling dry.

If shedding started after a move, think about other changes too, such as stress, a new diet or an illness.

Gentle hair care for a hot climate

• Washing: Use lukewarm water, massage shampoo gently into the scalp, and condition the lengths.
• Drying: Pat hair dry instead of rubbing, and use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair.
• Heat styling: Use dryers and straighteners less often, on a lower setting, with a heat protectant.
• Sun and swimming: Cover your hair in strong sun, wear a swim cap if you can, and rinse well after the pool or the sea.
• Styles: Keep ponytails, braids and underscarves loose so your hairline gets a break.

Hair loss shampoos and scalp serums

A hair loss shampoo cannot change your genes, but it can clean the scalp gently and help hair feel stronger. Leave-on scalp lotions and ampoules are designed for hair prone to shedding. These are cosmetic products, not medicines.

• Vichy Dercos Energy+ Stimulating Shampoo: a 200ml shampoo with Aminexil, niacinamide and vitamin E, designed for weak hair that tends to fall.
• ISDIN Lambdapil Anti-Hair Loss Lotion: a leave-on scalp spray for hair that is shedding or looking thinner, to help improve the look of hair density.
• Vichy Dercos Aminexil for Women: 21 scalp ampoules with Aminexil, made for women whose hair is shedding and used as an intensive programme.

You can find more shampoos and scalp care in our hair care range.

Minoxidil: an over-the-counter medicine for hereditary hair loss

Minoxidil is a medicine you apply to the scalp. It is licensed for hereditary hair loss, not for shedding caused by stress, illness or low iron. It works slowly, results vary, and you need to keep using it to keep any benefit.

• Regaine for Men Extra Strength 5% Minoxidil Scalp Foam: a scalp foam for hereditary hair loss in men aged 18 to 65. It is not for women. Read the leaflet before use.
• Regaine 2% Minoxidil Solution for Women and Men: a 60ml scalp solution for hereditary hair loss in adult women and men. Read the leaflet before use.

Before using minoxidil, for men or women, know that:

• it should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• it should only go on a healthy scalp, not on red, sore, sunburnt or broken skin
• some people notice a short spell of extra shedding at first, and the leaflet explains what to expect
• you should stop and get medical advice if you feel dizzy or faint, notice chest pain or a fast heartbeat, or get swollen hands or feet
• if you have heart or blood pressure problems, speak to a doctor first

Hair supplements: what biotin and other nutrients can and cannot do

A varied diet with enough protein, iron-rich foods, fruit and vegetables is the foundation for healthy hair. Supplements can top up your diet, but they are not a fix for hereditary hair loss, and evidence that they help people who already get enough of these nutrients is limited. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. If you take biotin, tell your doctor before a blood test, as it can affect some results.

• Pure Biotin Tablets: a food supplement with biotin (vitamin B7), 30 tablets. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin.
• Priorin N Capsules: a food supplement with golden millet and wheat germ oil for people who want to support healthy hair and nails. It is not suitable for hereditary male pattern hair loss.
• Pantogar Capsules: a nutrient formula for adults with diffuse hair loss, where hair thins evenly across the head. It contains L-cystine, keratin and B vitamins. Read the leaflet before use.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medicines, ask our pharmacist before starting a supplement.

When to see a doctor or ask our pharmacist

See a doctor if you notice:

• sudden hair loss, or hair coming out in clumps
• round bald patches, or patchy loss in the beard or eyebrows
• a scalp that is painful, burning, itchy, red or scaly
• hair loss with other symptoms, such as tiredness, weight changes or fever
• hair thinning in women along with irregular periods, new facial hair or acne
• hair loss in a child
• hair loss that worries you or affects how you feel

Our pharmacist can help you choose products for your type of hair fall, check whether minoxidil or a supplement suits you alongside other medicines, and tell you when to see a doctor first.

Frequently asked questions

Does UAE water cause hair loss?

Evidence that it does is limited. Minerals and chlorine can leave hair dry and more likely to break, which can look like hair fall.

Is minoxidil only for men?

No. The Regaine for Men 5% foam is for men only, while the Regaine 2% solution is for hereditary hair loss in adult women and men. Read the leaflet before use.

Can biotin help with hair fall?

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, but it is not a treatment for hair loss. If you might be low in iron or another nutrient, ask your doctor about a blood test.

Is hair fall after pregnancy normal?

Yes, extra shedding after having a baby is common and usually temporary. Speak to your doctor if it does not settle, is patchy, or comes with tiredness.

This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own health, speak to your doctor or ask our pharmacist at Bait Al Dawaa Pharmacy.