Assessing Alopecia in Muslim Women: A Review

July 2025 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Muhammad Ahsen Niazi, Nehaa Sohail, Aroon Sohail, Suzanne Alkul

alopecia traction alopecia telogen effluvium hijab hairline tension

TLDR Wearing a hijab doesn't cause hair loss, but how it's worn can lead to hair issues, and many affected women don't seek medical help.

The study reviews alopecia in hijab-wearing Muslim women, finding that while the hijab itself does not cause hair loss, the way it is worn may contribute to conditions like traction alopecia and telogen effluvium. Approximately 82% of hijabi women experience alopecia, but only 15.9% seek medical diagnosis. Common practices such as wearing hair in a bun and using occlusive materials increase tension on the hairline, leading to higher incidences of traction alopecia (10.4% vs 7.5%) and telogen effluvium (46.4% vs 32.5%) compared to non-hijabi women. Despite the prevalence, there is a significant gap in seeking medical care, suggesting a need for culturally sensitive approaches to prevention and treatment.

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