Arab Men and Hair Loss: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Arab Men and Hair Loss: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Arab men have great hair. Typically thick, wavy/curly and dark, it’s an integral part of their identity. Hair is closely linked to self-esteem and influences how we are perceived by others, so losing hair is somewhat devastating. This blog will address the causes of hair loss for Arab men living in the Gulf States and throughout the world.

According to recent reports, 60% of men who live in Arab Gulf States are likely to experience hair loss or balding. Men who live in the Middle East are losing their hair at a disproportionate rate compared to the rest of the world. On average, globally, 40% of men suffer from hair loss, 20% less than men in the Arab Gulf States. So why are men who reside in the Arab Gulf states more likely to experience hair loss and what can be done to prevent and treat it? Read on to find out! 

If you are Arab and do not live in the Arab Gulf States but are suffering from hair loss, there are a variety of causes, such as Male Pattern Pattern Baldness, Alopecia Areata and stress, this blog will address these issues and how to treat them, so keep reading.

Causes of Hair Loss for Arab Men

The climate and water in Arab Gulf states are hostile for hair growth and contribute to hair 1 in every 3 Arab men experiencing hair loss at some point during their lifetime. 

Water

Regions in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Dubai have very dry climates with little rainfall, therefore water is drawn from the sea to substitute lack of rainwater. Because sea water is too salty for human consumption and general use, it undergoes a process called desalination to make it drinkable. Desalination is the process by which sea water is converted to fresh water. Although desalination is crucial for providing usable water for dry regions in the Middle East, it can have disastrous impact on hair growth and length. A by-product of removing excess salt from sea water is higher levels of chloride and calcium, both of which strip hair from its natural oils.

High Levels of Chlorine in Water Causes Hair Loss

Chlorine is essential for cleansing water of its impurities and plays a crucial role in desalination. Chlorine eliminates bacteria from water by the entering cells, disrupting then deactivating them. Unfortunately, chlorine interacts with hair cells in a similar way to which it reacts to bacteria. Chlorine disrupts hair shafts by raising their cuticles, thereby stripping hair of the natural oils that keep it moisturized and healthy.

Because Arab hair is typically thick and wavy or curly, hair cuticles are already raised to accommodate the wave and or curl of the hair shaft. Exposure to chlorine raises cuticles even further. When hair follicles are raised, existing moisture in the follicle is released, and hair feels rough and becomes vulnerable to split ends and hair breakage/loss.

Too much exposure to chlorine makes hair excessively dry and can also cause scalp irritation and itchiness. Chlorine strips the scalp of sebum, a natural lubricant which secretes on the scalp, moisturising the scalp and hair whilst defending the scalp from bacteria and impurities. When the scalp is stripped of sebum it becomes extremely dry, irritated and in extreme circumstances, inflamed. When the scalp becomes irritated and or inflamed, the trauma can cause the hair follicle to enter a prolonged period of rest, which is scientifically referred to as the Telogen stage of the hair growth cycle. Click here to learn more about the hair growth cycle. The Telogen stage is when hair sheds to take a break from reproduction, typically 12% to 20% of hair will be in the stage at any time. However, when the scalp is afflicted or experiences any type of trauma, more hair follicles than normal can enter this stage and remain there for longer than the usual 3 months, which will cause bald patches to become visible.

Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness

If you are experiencing the symptoms of Male Pattern Baldness and contemplating a hair transplant, click here for the pros and cons. If you are suffering from Male Pattern Baldness and don't want to have a hair transplant but want to keep the hair you have and prevent further hair loss, or, if you have had a hair transplant and are beginning to experience a return of hair thinning, ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Shampoo and Lotion is viable treatment option. ProTress is so effective at treating hair loss is because it works in tandem with the science of your hair’s growth cycle.  ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Shampoo and Lotion revitalises hair follicles and increases the rate at which blood flows around the scalp, passing nutrients to the hair bulb (microcirculation), which helps to extend the Anagen (Growth) stage whilst shortening the Telogen phase because the hair follicle is renewed faster which reduces hair loss and improves hair growth.

Calcium Becomes an Impenetrable Barrier on the Hair Shaft

Desalinised water contains a build-up of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. Calcium produces an impenetrable film on hair which makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate. Consequently, hair is persistently dry and prone to breakage. Dry hair is more prone to breakage because when hair lacks moisture it loses its elasticity (its ability to stretch when combed or styled) which makes it brittle and more prone to snapping and breakage. It is important to condition Arabian hair frequently to flatten hair cuticles and restore moisture, otherwise it could even lead to hair loss.   

Dry Hot Air

The Middle East has consistent warm weather, so air conditioners are in frequent use but can have negative effects on the health of your hair. Air conditioners work by removing warm air and humidity from the room, pumping it outside whilst releasing cold air into the room to reduce the temperature. Because the process of reducing air temperature involves dehumidifying the air, it becomes dry. Air which is low in moisture has a negative effect on hair, making hair dry, frizzy and likely to break.

Water and climate aren’t the only causes of hair loss for Arab men, hair loss can be hereditary (i.e Male Pattern Baldness), hormone disruption (Areata Alopecia), stress or diet, which will be explained in turn.

Male Pattern Baldness

20% of the Male population in Saudi Arabia will suffer from Male Pattern Baldness. Male Pattern Baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia usually forms a pattern of hair loss that is circular on the top of the head. Male Pattern Baldness can also be identified through a receding hair line that starts at the temples, gradually working its way backwards to form a distinctive ‘M’ shape.

Male Pattern Baldness happens when hair follicles become minimised because of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The reduction in the size of hair follicles makes hair thin and more prone to fall, resulting in balding.

If you suspect you may be susceptible to Male Pattern Baldness because it runs in your family or are currently suffering from Male Pattern Baldness, getting treatment to prevent it from occurring or spreading is advisable.

Can Male Pattern Baldness be Treated or Prevented?

To prevent the spread of Male Pattern Baldness, hair follicles need to be stimulated to prolong the Anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Lotion contains the patented Si MATRIX PF which helps to reactivate the peripheral micro circulation (blood flow around the scalp), as well as increasing the supply of oxygen to and nutrients to the hair bulb which stimulates hair growth and revitalises hair follicles, helping to extend the Anagen phase, which reduces hair fall/shedding.

ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Lotion also contains revolutionary treatment for connective tissue recovery. This helps to prevent the excessive shedding which happens when the hair is in an extended period of Telogen (the final stage of the hair growth cycle when hair falls), because of Male Pattern Baldness and the strong presence of DHT, assisting the maintenance of existing hair and preventing further hair loss.

Areata Alopecia

A recent study conducted by Cureus in 2020 found that 13.8% of the population of Saudi Arabia suffered from Areata Alopecia at some point in their lives. Alopecia Areata is caused by an autoimmune disorder which causes hair loss and prevents hair growth in patches around the scalp. If your hair begins to fall out, creating small patches of baldness around the size of a 10p coin then it is likely that you are suffering from Alopecia Areata. Alopecia Areata typically manifest in multiple circular bald patches around the scalp. Alopecia Areata can also affect facial hair (beard, eyebrows, eyelashes etc) and body hair. In its most severe form Alopecia Areata can affect the entire scalp (Alopecia Totalis) or the entire body and scalp (Alopecia Univeralis).

Areata Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder which causes the body to attack hair follicles whilst in the growth (Anagen) stage which stops hair growth. Hair loss is caused through inflammation as T cell lymphocytes (natural killer cells) cluster around affected hair follicles.

Can Areata Alopecia be Treated?

Areata Alopecia can be extremely traumatic because it typically occurs suddenly, at a rapid rate with visible bald patches. The good news is Areata Alopecia is reversible and with the appropriate treatment, a full head of hair can be regained.

ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Shampoo and Lotion is unlike any other hair loss treatment because the formula is grounded in science and has been developed to work in tandem with the growth cycle of your hair. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Shampoo is made with natural extracts of Rosemary, Nettle and Passionflower, which has a cleansing and energising effect on the scalp, reducing hair loss and reactivating hair growth. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Lotion is made with the patented Si Matrix PF, which contains all of the nutrients hair needs to grow, whilst reactivating peripheral micro circulation and revitalising hair follicles, which stimulates hair growth.

Stress

Stress and tiredness will have an adverse effect on the growth, health and vitality of your hair. For example, if you are stressed it might follow that you tense your body. When your body is tense, your scalp tightens and the blood capillaries contract. Capillaries are the smallest and most numerous of the blood vessels. Capillaries form the connection between the vessels that carry blood away from the heart (arteries) and the vessels that return blood to the heart (veins) and exchange materials between the blood and tissue cells. 

reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that can reach the hair follicles, hindering hair growth. Oxygen and nutrients are vital to your hair’s growth and health. ProTress Energising Shampoo and Lotion helps to counter the negative effects that stress has on your hair by facilitating the circulation of nutrients and oxygen to the hair bulb, stimulating hair growth.

Diet

Your diet will affect the growth, health and shine of your hair. The nutrients in the blood, particularly protein, are transferred to the hair bulb, resulting in the formation of hair cells. Nutrients form the basis of hair creation. So, a poor, un- nutritious diet that is low in protein, will affect the amount of nutrients in the blood, thereby influencing the rate of hair growth negatively.

Exercise

Because the creation of hair is dependent on the flow of blood around the scalp, passing oxygen and vital nutrients such as protein to the hair bulb to form hair, lack of exercise can hinder this process. Exercise helps to improve circulation of blood around the body and scalp, so lack of exercise can slow down the hair creation process. Exercise also helps to reduce levels of stress by releasing endorphines to your brain, which in turn, minimises your perception of pain. So, if you want to eradicate stress and keep hair loss at bay, start exercising, right away!

Treatment for Hair Loss

If you are suffering from hair loss, it is important that you seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid permanent hair loss or damage to the scalp. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Shampoo and Lotion contains the patented Si Matrix PF, which is a revolutionary treatment for hair loss that stimulates hair growth. Si Matrix PF is a fundamental nutrient for the scalp, guaranteeing a balance of good, healthy hair. Si Matrix PF is ideal for re-balancing and reactivating the scalp, revitalising hair follicles, restoring hair growth whilst stimulating and strengthening hair. Once the Lotion is applied to the scalp, a tingling sensation will happen as the lotion massages the scalp, increasing blood flow (peripheral micro circulation), improving the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair bulbs, whilst also revitalising hair follicles which reactivates hair growth. Click here for our reviews and click here to learn more about our product.