UAE winter is officially here, and while it’s the best time to explore and enjoy, one common issue often raised by people is that they tend to lose a lot of hair, their skin feels dry, and their scalp gets itchy. While work is the primary responsibility for many here, given the large expat community, experts have highlighted the issues people are facing this year in 2024.
Dr. Naiyna Nangia, MD DVL, Specialist Dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician, Kaya Skin Clinic, Dubai, said that throughout the year, she has encountered concerns related to acne, melasma, psoriasis, eczema, along with hair fall and hair thinning. “I also get a lot of concerns related to signs of aging, like wrinkles, sagging skin, skin texture improvement, body contouring, increased hair growth, etc., and we have solutions for the same for all age groups,” she added.
“This has more to do with the fast-paced life of the emirates as opposed to climate per se,” Nangia believes.
Excessive hair fall is a major issue for UAE residents. “Meeting a dermatologist would be the first step in terms of evaluating the cause of hair fall and hair thinning. It is multifactorial, and every aspect should be addressed. I have a holistic approach and always counsel my patients on the same,” she said.
Why the excessive hairfall in the UAE?
Dr. Naiyna remarked that stress and nutritional deficiencies are the most common causes of the recent increase in hair fall issues, and these need to be managed apart from the treatments available for boosting hair growth.
She also highlighted that in women, insulin resistance and PCOS (which are linked and very common) are also the most common causes of female pattern hair loss, apart from hair thinning due to hormonal fluctuations with age.
Increasing concern about Alopecia:
Dr. Nangia elaborated, “Alopecia areata is another type of hair loss disorder which is autoimmune in nature and presents with round bald patches on the scalp, beard region and in some cases even on the body. This condition is treated with intralesional steroid therapy, topical minoxidil, and if required in severe cases, oral immunosuppressants as well.”
Marwan AlHammamy, Senior Brand Manager, Self Care at Kenvue – Gulf, echoed similar concerns, explaining that 80% of hair loss is genetic or hereditary. He said, “Hair loss affects both men and women, and most cases are due to genetics. Hormonal factors play a smaller role.”
Experts in the UAE are making tremendous efforts to help people understand the best solutions for their hair and skin concerns. And with the growing trend in innovations and technology, there is something that suits everyone’s needs.
