Pinning Down Hair Loss: The Healing Power of Acupuncture

Mane issues

Hair loss can be frustrating, embarrassing and stressful for men and women sufferers alike. Clinically, common treatments include medication – minoxidil is the drug of choice – and surgical options, like hair transplant or surgical restoration. TCM approaches hair loss differently.

While hair type and volume are determined by our genes, overall hair condition is determined by our lifestyle. TCM practitioners believe that the main cause of hair loss is Blood deficiency. Hair will grow well if there is sufficient Blood in the body, and Blood in the body is governed by the Spleen and the Liver. A well-functioning Spleen and Liver will allow healthy hair growth and shine.

Many factors – both external and internal – can affect the condition of our Blood, and consequently, the state of our hair. These include stress, anxiety, an unhealthy diet, lack of sleep and some medications.

The Kidneys also play a role. The Kidneys govern the Essence of the body, and this Kidney Essence is needed to keep one’s hair black. Weakened Kidney Qi and a lack of Essence may cause hair to turn grey prematurely.

Conversely, healthy hair reflects healthy ‘Qi’ in the Liver, Spleen & Kidneys. That means that just by looking at a person’s hair, a TCM practitioner can get an idea of a person’s overall health. Dry and brittle hair, for example, might indicate a ‘Yin’ deficiency or ‘Heat’ in the Blood, while hair growth in abnormal places, such as the chin, might indicate that Blood is not flowing properly.

By understanding the whole patient – beyond his or her hair problems – TCM practitioners seek to restore balance to the body, which ultimately restores hair health.

Worrying Hair Loss

The specific treatment prescribed depends on the causes and manifestation of the hair loss, the person’s age, as well as the TCM practitioner’s observation of non-verbal clues of overall health, including the patient’s complexion, tongue, pulse and voice.

Hair loss that comes with advancing age, for example, is often the result of a gradual loss of Blood, Kidney ‘Qi’ and Essence. If treatment is undertaken early enough to nourish the Blood and Kidney ‘Qi’, this hair loss can be reduced or delayed.

Hair loss at an earlier age is treated differently.

Take for example a 36-year-old housewife and mother of one who went through a six-month period when she found clumps of hair on the bathroom floor after showering, and on her pillow when she woke up in the morning. While it is normal to lose between 50-100 strands of hair per day, more than that, especially at an early age, can be traumatic.

Also, although she experienced no signs of greying, her hair was brittle. During her consultation with a TCM practitioner, she confessed that she had not been sleeping well at night and got tired easily. She was prescribed herbs that would nourish her ‘Qi’, Blood and Kidneys. After two weeks, the hair loss was noticeably less, and after two months, her hair was thicker and stronger.

Women are also more prone to losing hair after giving birth, a life event which, while joyful, is believed to deplete the mother’s energy and Blood. Pregnancy and child birth cause the mother to lose Qi, Essence, and Blood. Post-pregnancy hair loss is common, especially if there were multiple pregnancies within a short time frame.

After giving birth, Chinese women drink copious amounts of a hot sweet drink brewed with dried longan, red dates and wolfberries, all of which help replenish ‘Qi’ and nourish Blood to restore health to new mothers, including the state of her hair. They also avoid foods that are considered ‘cooling’, including watermelon, bitter gourd and winter melon, as these could harm the Spleen.

When hair loss is more pronounced, herbal medication and acupuncture can help stimulate Blood circulation to the head.

TCM can also be used to mitigate the extent of hair loss after chemotherapy treatments.

Expanding Bald Spots

Another form of hair loss that can be helped is alopecia areata, which manifests in the form of a bald spot. Left untreated, it can develop into a more serious condition leading to the loss of all body hair. Western medicine considers alopecia areata an auto-immune disorder in which the body attacks its own hair follicles.

A 59-year-old woman who developed a bald patch measuring about 4cm in diameter had been treated with steroids, antibiotics and hair supplements by her general practitioner. Consultation revealed she also had problems with poor sleep and was worried about her son. She washed her hair frequently, scrubbing hard. The practitioner advised her to cut down on the frequent washings and prescribed herbs that would nourish her Kidneys while reducing Heat in the spleen.

The TCM practitioner was aware that she had visited a general practitioner, and instructed her to take the herbs and the western medication at least two hours apart. For a short time, the problem worsened, exacerbated by a two-week overseas trip, and then started to get better with the addition of weekly acupuncture treatments. After a month, the bald patch was noticeably smaller as new hairs started to grow.

While it might not provide an instant-fix, TCM helps ensure that balance on the inside shows on the outside.

Healthy Hair Tips

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and sufficient sleep.

• Regular scalp massages and acupuncture can help increase Blood circulation on the head, which helps maintain a healthy scalp and hair growth.

• Sleeping early, before 11pm, helps the Gallbladder and Liver to detox and rest. You should also not go to bed with wet hair.

• To maintain a healthy sSpleen, eat less cold, fried, oily, and sweet food.

• Take herbs that nourish the Blood, including wolfberries, red dates, dried longan, Angelica sinensis (当归), and Rehmannia glutinosa (熟地黄).

• To prevent premature greying, eat foods that nourish the Kidneys: Black bean, black sesame, mulberry and blackberry.

• Chinese herbs which are good for the Kidneys include wolfberries, walnut, mulberry, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (女贞子), Eclipta prostrate (旱莲草), and Polygonum multiflorum (制何首乌).

Always consult your practitioner to ensure you receive the appropriate guidance for your specific case.