Dubai has many plus points, but healthy hair is not one of them. All over the internet, we have seen newcomers complain about hair loss once they start living in the sunny city. Is it the weather? The water? The general stress of life? We reached out to experts to weigh in on the matter. The answer is not too far from these assumptions.
According to Kamola Malikova, founder of Minx Aesthetics, the root of this issue is literally at the root. And she addresses it accordingly, focusing on scalp treatments to promote healthy hair. “We’ve noticed a huge rise in patients coming in for PRP and regenerative scalp treatments”, says Malikova. “These advanced therapies use your body’s own regenerative power to awaken dormant follicles, improve scalp circulation and deliver growth factors where they’re needed most. When combined with medical-grade supplements and professional scalp care, the results are thicker, stronger hair and visibly reduced shedding over time.”
But what causes a bad scalp? Is it really the hot climate? According to Dr Leonard Josipovic, an aesthetic doctor and plastic surgeon, it is, but not in the way you might think—it’s the way indoor and outdoor weather oscillates that affects our scalps. “Constant exposure to air conditioning indoors and intense sun exposure, heat, and humidity outdoors leads to dehydration, inflammation, and increased oil build-up, which can block follicles and slow healthy growth,” says Dr Josipovic.
On the bright side, just like how the heat and humidity can affect our scalp, so can the cool breeze of a Dubai winter. The Dubai winter can actually be quite restorative for the hair and scalp. “Cooler temperatures mean less sweating and reduced irritation, making it the perfect time to focus on repair and recovery,” says Dr Josipovic.
Beyond the weather, diet and nutrition are also factors. Although it sounds like common sense, we’re mindful of what we eat when it comes to skincare, so why wouldn’t the same rules be applied to haircare? With a diverse dining scene and the prominence of convenient food delivery, it’s safe to assume that we might not be at our healthiest once we start living here.
And when you don’t get the nutrients you need, that affects hair quality. Dr Josipovic agrees, saying, “It’s important to look at what’s happening internally. Making sure you’re eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and taking the right supplements can make a huge difference to hair quality and resilience. I always recommend having blood work done first to identify any deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, or B12 before starting supplementation, as addressing those gaps helps create the right environment for strong, healthy growth.”
And along with a healthy diet, it’s equally important to manage stress, as it also affects the body. Boris Hodakel, founder of wellness company Feel, focuses his brand on this very cause. “Hair health starts at a cellular level. Many people don’t realise that stress, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances are often the real cause of shedding”, says Hodakel. Feel’s supplements, the Feel Hair Support, were born out of fixing this issue. “Our supplements are designed to fill those gaps. It’s not about a quick fix, but supporting the biological processes that fuel stronger, thicker growth over time”, says Hodakel.
So, while we cannot control the weather affecting our hair, we can definitely make a change with our diet and lifestyle. Staying hydrated, having balanced meals, managing stress, and doing frequent check-ups on blood work are some of the ways that we can stay on top of our haircare game.
Scalp care shouldn’t go unchecked as well. Detox and aesthetic treatments are something we can all benefit from once in a while. And cultural practices like hair oiling and head massages are just as important! Nourishing the scalp and boosting blood circulation, there’s a reason why these practices have been well-loved over centuries.
Are we in a hair loss epidemic? Well, yes and no. The shedding that we’re all collectively experiencing isn’t a freak accident but a consequence of nature. Understanding so might not remove the problem entirely but by taking charge of what we can control, we can reduce the effects, and hopefully not go bald.
