On Saturday morning the windows are shut because of the haze, and you are on the living-room floor with the vacuum cleaner turned over, picking a long grey-black wad of hair out of the brush roller. You wonder whether it is yours, and whether it is more than usual. You have been scratching your scalp more this week too, and the two things feel connected.
This guide to haze and hair fall is for anyone asking that question. We will look at what research actually says about air pollution and hair, why your scalp may feel itchy, dry or oily in hazy weather, what simple hair and scalp care helps (including under a hijab or tudung), and when hair fall is a reason to see a doctor. It sits alongside our haze survival guide for Malaysian women, and we aim to be honest where the evidence is thin.
What you'll learn
- Whether haze really causes hair fall, and what one large 2026 study does and does not show.
- Why your scalp can feel itchy, dry or oily on hazy days, and which causes are plausible rather than proven.
- A simple do-and-avoid routine for hair and scalp care.
- Hijab-friendly hair habits based on a dermatology review of religious headwear.
- When hair fall needs a doctor, and where supplements fit (and do not fit).
Related guides
- For the API bands and what to do at each level, start with the main haze guide, or see the family guide to haze if you are looking after children, pregnancy or older parents.
- Your face may be feeling it too: our haze skin routine covers dullness, breakouts and hijab-friendly care.
- If someone suggests vitamins for hair and haze, read the evidence on vitamin C and antioxidant supplements first.
Does haze really cause hair fall?
The honest answer is: we do not know, and we found no evidence that a few weeks of haze causes the everyday shedding most people notice. What does exist is research on longer-term exposure.
A 2026 nationwide study in South Korea (Kim and colleagues, in the British Journal of Dermatology) linked annual average levels of fine and coarse particle pollution to national health-screening records between 2006 and 2022. People with higher long-term particle exposure had a higher risk of developing alopecia areata, a patchy type of hair loss, and the association was strongest for its most extensive form. In a lab experiment, PM10-like dust increased reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and inflammatory markers in human hair-follicle cells. The authors suggest particle pollution may be a modifiable risk factor.
Please read that carefully, because it is easy to over-read:
- It is an observational study, so it shows an association, not proof of cause.
- It is about long-term yearly exposure, not a hazy week or two.
- It is about alopecia areata, a specific condition, not the everyday shedding you may see in a vacuum cleaner or on a pillowcase.
The NHS also offers a reassuring reminder that it is normal to lose hair and that most hair loss does not need treatment. So if you are shedding a bit more this month, take a breath: haze is one possible factor among many, and often the cause is something else.
Why does my scalp feel itchy, dry or oily in the haze?
The honest answer here is that these explanations are plausible, not proven for haze. We found no clinical study of scalp symptoms during haze, so read the list as common-sense reasoning:
- Sweat and heat. Hazy days in Malaysia can be hot and humid, and a sweaty scalp can feel itchy and heavy.
- Particles on hair and scalp. Soot-like grime can settle on hair, and a gritty scalp may feel uncomfortable.
- Over-washing or harsh shampoo. Washing very often or scrubbing hard can leave the scalp dry and irritated.
- Covering and friction. A snug inner cap or scarf can trap heat and rub the same areas, which is worth thinking about if you wear a hijab.
- Other causes. Dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis, allergies to hair products and many other issues can cause itching. If the itch is intense or persistent, do not assume haze is the reason.
Hair and scalp care when the air is bad
There is no haze-specific research on hair-care routines, so the table below lists general, gentle habits that most dermatology sources would consider reasonable. They are not a haze "protection" plan.
A simple routine:
- On hazy days, tie your hair loosely and comfortably.
- When you get home, wash your hands, then wash your hair if it feels gritty, and let it dry before covering.
- Use a gentle shampoo and a conditioner on the lengths, and avoid scratching with your nails if the scalp itches.
- Change your inner cap and scarf for clean ones as needed.
- If the itch or flaking persists beyond a couple of weeks, see a doctor or dermatologist.
Hair under a hijab or tudung
Many Malaysian women wear a hijab or tudung every day, so this deserves its own honest section. A 2023 review for dermatologists on religious headwear and alopecia (Alhanshali and colleagues) notes that wearing religious headwear has been associated with alopecia, most notably traction alopecia, which can result from how the headwear is secured and styled, or other practices that put tension on the hair and scalp. The authors are open about the limits: they say that no published clinical study directly implicates religious headwear in alopecia, that the topic is scarcely reported, and that their recommendations rest on clinical experience.
The practical suggestions for hijab wearers in that review are modest and sensible:
- Choose fabrics that are less likely to slip, such as jersey or cotton.
- Choose under-caps that can be tied at the back or adjusted, rather than one-size, tube-like caps.
- If your hair is tied in a knot or ponytail under the hijab, vary where you tie it.
- Be aware that traction hair loss that continues for a long time may become irreversible, so do not ignore a sore, pulled hairline.
None of this says that a hijab is a problem. It simply says that how tightly and where we pull matters, and that is worth knowing in any hairstyle. Keep the inner cap and scarf clean, and make sure they are dry and comfortable.
When does hair fall need a doctor?
Hair fall has many possible causes, and most are unrelated to haze. The NHS lists illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss and iron deficiency among causes of temporary hair loss, and MedlinePlus lists thyroid problems, diabetes, certain medicines, stress, poor nutrition or a low-protein diet, family history and ageing. Hair shedding a few months after childbirth is also commonly reported, and is often temporary, but ask a doctor if it is heavy, patchy or lasts a long time.
See a doctor or dermatologist if:
- Hair loss is sudden, heavy, or happening in patches.
- Your scalp is painful, red, scaly or has sores.
- You notice other symptoms alongside hair loss, such as unusual tiredness or other changes in your health.
- You are taking medicines and hair loss began after starting them (do not stop prescribed medicine without advice).
- Hair loss is affecting your confidence or mood. The NHS notes that support and counselling are available.
- It has been going on for months, with no improvement.
The NHS also advises seeing a GP to find out what is causing hair loss before going to a commercial hair clinic. That is good advice before spending on any product.
Where do supplements fit (and where do they not)?
We found no evidence that any supplement counters the effects of haze on hair. Supplements may play a role in nutrition support when a doctor has found a reason, but they do not replace finding the cause of hair fall, and they are not a haze defence.
If you are already taking or considering a hair supplement for general reasons, here are the plain facts about Drann Biotin + OptiMSM: its product page says it contains biotin and OptiMSM, a branded form of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) from Bergstrom Nutrition in the USA, described as 99.9% pure; it is non-GMO and vegan-friendly; it uses halal-certified ingredients; it is manufactured in Taiwan under GMP standards; the page says to take one capsule daily and to use it consistently for at least 8–12 weeks. That information describes the product, not a way to prevent haze effects on hair.
If you would like to read more, our existing guides cover biotin and MSM for everyday hair health in Malaysia, stress-related hair thinning and where biotin and MSM fit and postpartum hair loss and safety first. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take regular medicines.
Common myths (quick reality check)
- Myth: Haze is the reason my hair is falling out. Reality: We found no evidence that a few weeks of haze causes everyday shedding. A 2026 study links long-term particle exposure with alopecia areata, but that is a different, specific question.
- Myth: A hijab causes hair loss. Reality: A review of religious headwear says no clinical study directly implicates it; tension from how headwear and hair are secured is the concern, and simple adjustments can reduce it.
- Myth: A hair supplement will protect my hair from haze. Reality: No supplement has been shown to protect hair from haze, and finding the cause of hair fall comes first.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How much hair loss is normal?
The NHS says it is normal to lose hair and that most hair loss does not need treatment. We do not quote a daily number because it varies from person to person; the signs to watch are sudden, heavy or patchy loss.
Is it okay to wash my hair every day in the haze?
If your scalp feels gritty or sweaty, gentle washing is reasonable. Avoid scrubbing hard, and use conditioner on the lengths rather than the scalp. If your scalp becomes dry or itchy, try washing less harshly and speak to a doctor if it persists.
Does wearing a hijab all day damage my hair?
The review we cite says the main concern is tension (traction) from how hair and headwear are secured. Choose soft, slip-resistant fabric, an adjustable under-cap, and vary where you tie your hair.
When will postpartum hair shedding stop?
Shedding some months after childbirth is commonly reported and often temporary, but we do not quote timelines here. If it is heavy, patchy or lasts a long time, ask your doctor.
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Hair loss can have many causes, some of which need a doctor's assessment, so please see a doctor or dermatologist for sudden, patchy or persistent loss, a painful or scaly scalp, or if you are worried. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking regular medicines.
References
- Long-term Particulate Matter Exposure and Risk of Alopecia Areata — Kim et al., British Journal of Dermatology (2026)
- Religious headwear and alopecia: considerations for dermatologists — Alhanshali et al. (2023), PubMed Central
- Hair loss — NHS
- Hair loss — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
