An observational study was performed on 48 women wearing hijab and 48 women not wearing hijab to compare the scalp microbiome.

The scalp sample of all subjects was taken to be analyzed for its microbial diversity. The samples were processed with Next-Generation Sequencer and analyzed with bioinformatics analysis.

The primary outcome was the characteristics of scalp microbiome

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy women
• Aged 18 years old or older who had not undergone menopause
• Consenting to the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Scalp and hair diseases (e.g. alopecia, trichotillomania, scalp infection, malignancy)
• Systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, renal diseases, autoimmune diseases)
• Use of topical and oral antifungal agents
• Use of cytostatic agents
• Use of topical and oral antibiotics
• Use of topical and oral vitamin D
• Use of chemical products on hair (e.g. bleaching, permanent blow, hair coloring, hair straightener)
• Pregnancy
• Lactating
• Hypersensitivity towards basic ingredients of shampoo (e.g. synthetic detergent, conditioner, thickening agent).

Healthy women aged 18 years old or older who had not undergone menopause