Intermittent Fasting and Beauty

Intermittent Fasting and Beauty

What We See in Real Patients at SkinDot Clinics Islamabad

At SkinDot Clinics Islamabad, intermittent fasting is no longer just something we read about online — we see its effects daily in our consultation rooms. Patients frequently ask whether fasting improves skin, hair, nails, and mental clarity. The honest answer, based on real clinical work, is: it depends on how it is done and who is doing it.

This article reflects shared clinical experience from our dermatologists, aesthetic physicians, psychologist, nutritionist, and general practitioner, working together with patients from Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

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What Happens to Skin During Intermittent Fasting?

Some patients report clearer skin and fewer acne breakouts after starting intermittent fasting. In these cases, fasting improves insulin balance and reduces inflammation — both important for acne-prone skin.

However, we also see the opposite. Many patients present with dry, dull skin, increased sensitivity, eczema flare-ups, or delayed healing after aesthetic treatments. Almost always, this is linked to dehydration, low protein intake, or vitamin deficiencies during the eating window.

Clinical Reality: Fasting itself is not the problem. Poor nutrition during fasting is.

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Effects on Hair and Nails We Commonly See

Hair fall is one of the most frequent complaints we hear after unsupervised fasting. Patients often notice increased shedding 1–3 months after starting intermittent fasting. This is typically telogen effluvium caused by nutritional stress, low ferritin, zinc deficiency, or inadequate protein intake.

Nails also suffer. Brittle, slow-growing, splitting nails are common signs that the body is conserving nutrients.

Important Point: Hair and nails are the first to be affected when the body feels under-fueled.

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Psychological Effects: Often Overlooked

From our psychological assessments, some patients experience better focus and reduced emotional eating. Others, especially those already under stress, develop irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbance, or an unhealthy fixation on food timing.

Women are particularly sensitive to prolonged fasting, sometimes presenting with hormonal disruption, fatigue, acne flares, or hair loss.

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Why Nutrition Makes or Breaks Fasting

Our nutritionist’s role is often the turning point. Patients who consume adequate protein, healthy fats, iron, and micronutrients during the eating window usually do well. Those who skip meals, eat low-quality calories, or under-eat almost always develop skin or hair complaints.

Intermittent fasting without nutritional planning becomes a stressor — not a health tool.

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Our Clinical Conclusion

Based on real patient data and multidisciplinary care at SkinDot Clinics Islamabad, intermittent fasting should be treated as a medical lifestyle intervention, not a beauty trend. When guided properly, it may support skin health and mental clarity. When done incorrectly, it commonly results in hair fall, skin dryness, nail weakness, and emotional imbalance.

Beauty is sustained by balance, not deprivation.

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Authors and Clinical Team

Dr. Fauzia Arshad – Consultant Dermatologist
23+ Years of Experience in Medical Dermatology and Lifestyle-Related Skin Disorders.

Dr. Danish Hafeez Malik – Consultant Dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician
Focuses on Metabolic Factors Affecting Skin Aging and Hair Loss.

Dr. Shafaq Sufyan – Dermatologist
Manages Acne, Dandruff, Hair Fall, Eczema, and Urban Lifestyle Skin Concerns.

Hassan Imran – Clinical Psychologist (PhD Scholar)
Works on Stress, Eating Behavior, and Psychological Effects of Dietary Habits.

Jawaria Jawid – Clinical Nutritionist
Designs Nutrition Plans Supporting Skin, Hair, Metabolic, and Hormonal Health.

Lt Col (Rtd) Dr. Faiza Aamir – General Practitioner
Conducts Medical Screening and Safety Evaluation for Lifestyle Interventions.

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SkinDot Clinics Islamabad
Trusted Dermatology and Aesthetic Care in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Your Skin, Our Commitment

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