Ramadan fasting and hair fall: hydration, sahur and what to expect

Ramadan is a central part of life for Muslims in Malaysia. For about a month, people fast from dawn to sunset, eat sahur before dawn and break the fast at iftar, often with late nights for terawih prayers and family gatherings. Routines around food, water and sleep change a great deal. Some people notice more hair on the comb, in the shower or inside their tudung during Ramadan and wonder whether fasting is to blame. This guide explains what research says about weight and sleep during Ramadan, why fasting alone is an unlikely cause of hair loss, how crash dieting or illness can trigger shedding, practical hydration and sahur tips, and when to see a doctor.

(This is general health information, not religious or personal medical advice. If you have a medical condition, speak to your doctor before fasting.)

Short answer

There is no good evidence that Ramadan fasting on its own causes hair loss. A meta-analysis of 70 publications with 2,947 healthy adults found that weight and fat mass fell modestly during Ramadan, and that weight tended to return towards pre-Ramadan levels two to five weeks afterwards ¹. A meta-analysis of sleep studies found total sleep time fell from about 7.2 to 6.4 hours a night during Ramadan, with a slight rise in daytime sleepiness ². Mild dehydration during the fast can cause headaches and tiredness ³, but there is no good evidence that it makes hair fall out. When shedding is noticed during or after Ramadan, more likely explanations are telogen effluvium after illness, stress or rapid weight loss, which usually starts two to four months after the trigger ⁴, or pattern hair loss ⁵. A balanced sahur and iftar with plenty of fluids supports general health. See a doctor if shedding lasts more than a few months, you notice bald patches or a widening parting, or you feel unwell while fasting.

What happens to the body during a Ramadan fast

During fasting hours, the body uses its stores of carbohydrate and fat for energy. The body cannot store water, so the kidneys conserve water by reducing urine, but some water is still lost through urine, skin, breathing and sweat ³. In Malaysia's warm, humid weather, sweating can add to these losses.

The British Nutrition Foundation notes that most people who fast during Ramadan will have mild dehydration, which may cause headaches, tiredness and difficulty concentrating, and that studies suggest this is not harmful to health provided enough fluids are taken after breaking the fast ³. People who usually drink tea or coffee during the day may also get headaches at first from missing caffeine ³.

What research says about weight during Ramadan

A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from 70 publications, covering 2,947 healthy, non-athlete adults ¹. It found:

• people with a higher starting body mass index tended to lose more weight during Ramadan;
• fat percentage fell significantly in people with overweight or obesity, but not in those of normal weight;
• some fat-free mass was also lost;
• two to five weeks after Ramadan, weight and body composition tended to return towards, or to, pre-Ramadan levels ¹.

The authors described these as consistent but transient reductions ¹. This modest, temporary change is very different from a crash diet with rapid, large weight loss, which is a known trigger of telogen effluvium ⁴; see hair loss after weight loss or dieting.

What research says about sleep during Ramadan

A 2020 meta-analysis of 24 studies with 646 participants in 12 countries found that total sleep time fell from about 7.2 hours a night before Ramadan to about 6.4 hours during Ramadan, and daytime sleepiness scores rose slightly ². Shorter sleep can leave people tired and irritable. There is no good evidence that a month of shorter sleep causes hair loss; see sleep and hair loss.

Why fasting is an unlikely cause of hair loss

Hair grows in cycles. Most hairs on the scalp are in the growing phase at any time, and a smaller proportion are in the resting phase before they shed ⁴. Losing a number of hairs a day is normal. Significant shedding usually needs a significant trigger.

Ramadan fasting changes meal timing, but for most healthy people it does not cause the kind of sudden, severe stress on the body that triggers telogen effluvium. The research above shows that weight changes are usually modest and temporary ¹. No study has shown that Ramadan fasting causes hair loss.

The more likely causes of shedding during or after Ramadan

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a temporary increase in shedding, commonly triggered by illness, high fever, surgery, childbirth, a crash diet or severe emotional stress, with shedding usually starting two to four months after the trigger ⁴. So shedding noticed during Ramadan may relate to something that happened months earlier, such as a fever or a stressful period. If someone fasts and also eats very little at sahur and iftar, or deliberately uses Ramadan to lose a lot of weight quickly, shedding may appear a few months later. It usually settles once the trigger has passed ⁴.

Pattern hair loss

Pattern hair loss is the most common cause of gradual thinning in men and women, and is strongly influenced by genetics ⁵. It develops slowly over years. People sometimes notice it for the first time during Ramadan simply because they are paying more attention to their hair.

Diet and deficiencies

Low iron and some other deficiencies can be linked with shedding in some people; see anaemia, iron and hair loss and vitamin deficiencies linked to hair loss. Women with heavy periods are more at risk of low iron. A doctor can decide whether blood tests are needed; see blood tests for hair loss.

Other causes

Thyroid problems, some medicines and conditions such as alopecia areata can also cause hair loss ⁶⁷. Round, smooth bald patches need a doctor's assessment.

Sources: ⁴⁵⁷.

Practical tips for sahur, iftar and hydration

The British Nutrition Foundation suggests the following ³:

• Do not skip sahur. It provides fluids and energy for the day ahead. Starchy foods, particularly wholegrains and those high in fibre, release energy more slowly and keep you fuller for longer, for example oats, high-fibre cereals and wholegrain bread ³.
• Drink plenty of fluids between iftar and sahur, and include fluid-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables, yogurt, soups and stews ³.
• Go easy on salt. Salt stimulates thirst, so avoid a lot of salty foods ³.
• Break the fast gently. Start with plenty of fluids, low-fat, fluid-rich foods and foods with some natural sugars, such as dates ³.
• Do not go overboard at iftar. A lot of deep-fried, creamy and sweet foods may cause weight gain ³.
• Help prevent constipation with high-fibre foods, plenty of fluids and light activity such as a walk after iftar ³.

For hair, the same general advice applies all year round: include protein at sahur and iftar, for example eggs, fish, chicken, tempeh, tofu, lentils or dhal, and plenty of fruit and vegetables; see protein and hair and what to eat for healthy hair.

When to break the fast for your health

If you cannot stand up because of dizziness, or you feel disoriented, the British Nutrition Foundation advises urgently drinking water, ideally with sugar and salt, a sugary drink or a rehydration solution ³. If someone faints from dehydration, their legs should be raised and they should rehydrate when they wake ³. Exemptions from fasting exist for people who are ill or whose health could be affected, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with diabetes ³. Seek medical help if you feel very unwell.

Looking after your hair and scalp during Ramadan

• Wudu and wet hair under a tudung. Frequent ablutions are part of daily life. Let hair dry before covering it where possible, and choose breathable fabrics; see hijab and hair loss.
• Avoid tight styles. Pulling hair tightly under an inner cap for long periods can strain the hairline.
• Wash as usual. There is no need to change shampoo because of fasting.
• Hari Raya styling. Go easy on heat styling, bleaching or chemical straightening just before Hari Raya, which can cause breakage.
• Topical treatments. Topical treatments applied to the scalp can usually be used at a time that suits you; if you take tablets for hair loss or anything else, ask a doctor or pharmacist how to time them during Ramadan.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if:

• shedding lasts more than a few months;
• you notice round bald patches, a widening parting or a receding hairline;
• your scalp is itchy, red, painful or scaly;
• you have other symptoms such as tiredness, heavy periods or weight change;
• you have diabetes or another long-term condition and are unsure whether fasting is safe;
• you feel dizzy, faint or very unwell while fasting.

Questions to ask your doctor

1. Is my hair loss telogen effluvium, pattern hair loss or something else?
2. Could an illness or stress a few months ago explain the shedding?
3. Do I need blood tests, for example for iron or thyroid?
4. Is it safe for me to fast with my medical conditions?
5. How should I time my medicines during Ramadan?
6. Can I continue my hair treatment while fasting?
7. How long should I wait to see whether shedding settles?
8. When should I come back?

Common myths

• "Fasting starves the hair." For healthy people, Ramadan weight changes are usually modest and temporary ¹.
• "Drinking a lot of water at sahur will prevent hair fall." Hydration supports general health, but there is no good evidence that water intake affects hair loss.
• "Hair lost during Ramadan will not grow back." Telogen effluvium usually settles once the trigger has passed ⁴.
• "A supplement will protect hair during the fasting month." Supplements are unlikely to help unless you have a deficiency.
• "Shampooing during the fast is not allowed." This is a religious question; ask a religious authority if you are unsure.

Common mistakes

• Skipping sahur to sleep longer.
• Eating mostly fried and sweet foods at iftar and bazaar Ramadan.
• Using Ramadan to crash diet.
• Not drinking enough between iftar and sahur.
• Fasting with a medical condition without asking a doctor.
• Blaming fasting and missing pattern hair loss or another treatable cause.

Life in Malaysia

Bazaar Ramadan stalls, buka puasa gatherings and festive cooking are part of the month in Malaysia, and many dishes are fried, sweet or salty. Balancing these with fruit, vegetables, grilled or steamed dishes and plenty of plain water can help. Hot afternoons and long commutes can make thirst harder, so plan to rest where possible. For hair concerns, a doctor can help work out the cause; see your first hair loss consultation and hair loss treatment in Malaysia.

Bottom line

Ramadan fasting changes meal times and sleep, and mild dehydration is common, but there is no good evidence that fasting on its own causes hair loss. Weight changes during Ramadan are usually modest and temporary. Shedding noticed during or after Ramadan is more often telogen effluvium after illness, stress or rapid weight loss, or pattern hair loss. Do not skip sahur, drink plenty of fluids between iftar and sahur, avoid crash dieting, and see a doctor if shedding lasts more than a few months, you notice bald patches, or you feel unwell while fasting.

Frequently asked questions

Does fasting in Ramadan cause hair loss?

There is no good evidence that Ramadan fasting on its own causes hair loss. Weight changes during Ramadan are usually modest and temporary.

Why do I notice more hair fall during Ramadan?

Possible reasons include shedding triggered by an illness or stress two to four months earlier, pattern hair loss, or simply paying more attention to your hair.

Can dehydration make my hair fall out?

Mild dehydration during fasting can cause headaches and tiredness, but there is no good evidence that it causes hair loss.

What should I eat at sahur for my hair?

A balanced sahur with wholegrains, protein, fruit or vegetables and plenty of fluids supports general health, including hair.

Should I take a hair supplement during Ramadan?

Supplements are unlikely to help unless you have a deficiency. A doctor can decide whether blood tests are needed.

Can I continue minoxidil while fasting?

Topical minoxidil is applied to the scalp. If you are unsure how fasting affects any of your medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Will my hair fall out after Ramadan?

Most people will not notice any change. If you lose a lot of weight quickly or are unwell, shedding may appear a few months later and usually settles.

When should I see a doctor?

See a doctor if shedding lasts more than a few months, if you notice bald patches or a widening parting, or if you feel unwell while fasting.

Educational content. Not medical advice.