Hair Loss in Saudi Arabia: Real Causes, Treatments and When to See a Doctor

Last updated: 10 October 2026

Many people notice more hair on the brush after moving to Saudi Arabia and blame the water or the heat. The evidence points elsewhere. Most hair loss has a medical cause, such as hereditary pattern hair loss, shedding after stress or illness, low iron or a thyroid problem, and most of these can be treated. This guide explains the real causes, what the research says about Saudi water, which treatments are available in the Kingdom and when to see a doctor.

Short answer: Saudi water and heat can make hair feel dry or brittle, but they are not proven causes of hair loss. If your hair is falling out suddenly or in patches, see a doctor.

This article is general information, not medical advice. It is based on guidance from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the NHS, DermNet and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).

Is It Normal Shedding or Hair Loss?

It is normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a day (AAD). Heavier shedding, often noticed in the shower or on the brush, can start two to four months after a trigger such as major stress, an illness with a high fever, surgery, childbirth, a big weight loss or stopping the contraceptive pill. Doctors call this telogen effluvium (DermNet).

It is usually temporary. Once the trigger has passed, hair tends to regain its normal fullness within 6 to 9 months (AAD). If your shedding began a few months after a stressful period, such as a difficult move, an illness or a new baby, this may be the reason.

Common Causes of Hair Loss

• Hereditary pattern hair loss. The most common cause in both men and women, and it usually runs in the family (NHS). Men tend to lose hair at the hairline and crown, women on the top of the head. It does not stop on its own, but treatment can slow it, and it works best when started early.
• Shedding after stress or illness (telogen effluvium, see above).
• Low iron, protein or zinc. Too little of these can cause hair loss (AAD). A blood test shows whether you are low.
• Thyroid disease. An underactive or overactive thyroid can thin the hair (AAD).
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A hormonal condition that can cause thinning on the scalp together with irregular periods and extra facial or body hair (AAD).
• After childbirth. Shedding often starts about two months after the birth and peaks at around four months. It is usually temporary (AAD).
• Tight hairstyles. Hair that is pulled tight for a long time can cause traction alopecia, which can become permanent (AAD). For women who cover their hair, a 2023 dermatology review found no study showing that the hijab itself causes hair loss; the risk comes from tight wrapping or tight buns underneath (Int J Womens Dermatol). Keep under-caps loose and change where you tie your hair.
• Medicines. Some medicines can cause shedding. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own; ask your doctor first.
• Alopecia areata. Round, smooth bald patches, caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles. See a doctor.

Does Saudi Water Cause Hair Loss?

This is the most common belief among expats, and the evidence does not support it.

• Desalinated water is low in minerals. Desalination removes almost all dissolved minerals, and some calcium is added back afterwards (Discover Water, 2025). About half of the water distributed in Saudi Arabia in 2023 was desalinated; the rest comes from groundwater, which varies by area (GASTAT).
• Jeddah tap water tested soft. Tap water sampled in Jeddah homes contained about 11.5 mg/L of calcium and 1.8 mg/L of magnesium (Water journal, 2025). That is soft water on the US Geological Survey scale. We found no published hardness figure for Riyadh tap water.
• Hard water and hair: mixed lab results. One study found hard water made hair strands slightly weaker; another found no effect (Int J Trichology 2018, 2013). Neither measured hair falling out from the root.
• Sun. Strong UV light can damage the hair shaft, making it dry, brittle and faded. That affects the hair you already have, not the roots.

So a shower filter may make your hair feel softer, but it is not a treatment for hair loss. If your hair is thinning, look for a medical cause.

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Common in Saudi Arabia

A 2018 review of 16 studies found that 63.5% of the Saudis tested were deficient in vitamin D (Al-Alyani et al.), and another 2018 review found low levels in 77.4% of Saudi women of reproductive age (Alzaheb). These studies looked at Saudi nationals rather than expats, but long hours indoors are common for everyone. Low vitamin D is worth testing for. Vitamin D is not an established hair-loss treatment, and high doses should only be taken on medical advice.

Hair Loss Treatments Available in Saudi Arabia

Minoxidil (no prescription needed)

Minoxidil scalp solution is registered with the SFDA as an over-the-counter medicine: 5% for men and 2% for women (SFDA drug information). Do not use it in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. A temporary increase in shedding in the first weeks is common, new growth takes several months, and the benefit lasts only while you keep using it (AAD).

Finasteride (prescription, men only)

Finasteride 1 mg tablets for male pattern hair loss are prescription-only in Saudi Arabia (SFDA drug information). It works only while you take it (NHS). Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets. The SFDA has published a safety notice on possible sexual and mental health side effects, so discuss the risks with your doctor.

Spironolactone (prescription, women)

Doctors sometimes prescribe spironolactone for female pattern hair loss. You must not become pregnant while taking it (AAD).

PRP injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses your own blood, injected into the scalp, usually once a month for three months and then every three to six months. The AAD says it can be safe and effective, although the research so far is of low quality.

Hair transplant

A hair transplant can be an effective and permanent solution for pattern hair loss (AAD). Hair that was not transplanted can keep thinning, so doctors often advise continuing medication afterwards.

We do not list prices or clinics. They vary widely and change often, so ask your doctor and your insurer.

Supplements: Get Tested First

The AAD advises taking biotin, iron or zinc only when a blood test shows you are low; otherwise a supplement can do more harm than good (AAD). High doses of biotin can also distort lab results, including thyroid tests (US FDA). Tell your doctor about any supplements before a blood test.

Hair Care in a Hot, Sunny Climate

• Use a gentle shampoo, and conditioner after every wash (AAD).
• Limit flat irons, curling irons and hot combs.
• Choose loose styles and loose under-caps.
• Cover your hair or wear a hat in strong sun to protect the hair shaft.

These help the hair you have look and feel better. They do not treat hair loss.

When to See a Doctor

• Your hair comes out suddenly, or far more than usual when you wash or brush it.
• You have round or patchy bald spots.
• Your scalp is painful, red, scaly or burning, or has pus or scarring. Scarring hair loss can be permanent, so act early.
• Hair loss comes with other symptoms such as tiredness, weight change, feeling cold, irregular periods or new facial hair.
• It started after a new medicine.
• Shedding lasts more than about six months, or your hairline or crown is steadily thinning.
• You are worried about it (NHS).

How to See a Doctor in Saudi Arabia

• With employer health insurance: book a GP or dermatology visit at a clinic in your insurer’s network. A GP can order blood tests and refer you on. Check your policy before treatment: many plans exclude hair-loss and cosmetic treatment. Not sure you are covered? See our health insurance check guide.
• Ministry of Health: the Sehhaty app books appointments at primary health care centres and manages referrals to hospital clinics. It replaced the older Mawid and Seha apps in January 2022.
• Specialist hospitals: King Faisal Specialist Hospital accepts patients mainly by referral (KFSH&RC), so you cannot walk in for a hair-loss check.
• Take your iqama and insurance card to every appointment.

New to the Kingdom? Our moving to Saudi Arabia checklist covers insurance, iqama and the other first steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology (hair shedding; diagnosis and treatment; causes; tips), NHS (hair loss), DermNet (telogen effluvium), SFDA drug information and finasteride safety page, MOH (Sehhaty), GASTAT water statistics, Water 17(8):1110 (2025), Discover Water (2025), Int J Trichology (2013, 2018), J Family Community Med (2018), Clin Med Insights Womens Health (2018), Int J Womens Dermatol (2023), US FDA (biotin).