Call (866) 471-8869 for FREE Consultation
Tap Water in the United Arab Emirates Could Trigger Hair Loss
by Alexandra Kilpatrick
Medical experts have recently speculated that tap water found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could trigger hair loss.
Although some medical experts comment that there is no scientific evidence of a link between tap water in UAE and hair loss, others claim that desalinated water can lead to hair dryness.
Women living in UAE claimed that the chemical content in water as well as the hot weather and the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle can all lead to hair loss.
Non-conclusive Evidence
Medical experts commented that in spite of the lack of conclusive evidence, they did not rule out the Gulf’s treated water as a hair loss factor. These experts also attributed a myriad of factors, including hormonal imbalance, genetics, vitamin deficiency, stress and poor nutrition, to hair loss and thinning.
“There is no conclusive scientific study yet that says treated water is the direct cause of hair loss,” Dr. K. Balachandran, Special Dermatologist at Aster, Dubai, told Gulf News. “Iron and vitamin D deficiency as well as scalp infections also need to be considered [in hair loss diagnosis]. Women should not mistake genetically thinning hair for hair loss. Further hair tends to thin gradually with age. Shedding between 50 and 100 hairs per day is normal.”
Dr. Nathalie Domloj, General Practitioner and Aesthetic and Laser Therapist at Medcare, Dubai, informed Gulf News that treated tap water in UAE can, in fact, affect the scalp and hair. She sees 10 to 15 female patients suffering from hair loss each week.
Breaking Down Tap Water
“Tap water contains calcium, iron, copper, magnesium and silica, among others,” Domloj told Gulf News. “These are known to have a drying effect on the scalp and hair. Some of these build up on the scalp, choking hair follicles – and leading to the hair fall. Apart from other causes, including treated water, Vitamin D deficiency is linked to hair loss.”
Trichologist Dr. Akshay Batra, CEO and managing director of Dr. Batra’s Positive Clinic, comments that desalinated water can cause hair dryness.
“Desalinated water tends to dry out hair strands and also leads to harmful scalp build-up,” Batra told Gulf News. “As a result, hair becomes brittle and prone to breakage.”
Dr. Atul Aundhekar, Chief Medical Director of iCARE Clinics, advised that residents install a shower filter to remove traces of harmful chemicals in order to reduce the tap water’s damage to the scalp.
“Due to the polluted seawater, treatment plants add more chlorine to kill bacteria, which can damage hair follicles,” Aundhekar told Gulf News. “A filter reduces the damage.”
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hair loss treatments, please feel free to contact us today. Our team will help you find an ideal hair restoration specialist in an area near you.
Call 866-471-8869 for FREE Consultation
