TCM for Hair Loss
Have you ever run your fingers through your hair to comb it, only to hold strands of hair clumped in your palm? Have you seen jumbles of hair at the shower drain after your nightly hair-wash routine? This may be a sign of hair loss, a condition affecting just about anyone. No one likes to experience hair loss, and we understand how it can affect your self-esteem. Thankfully, traditional Chinese medicine may help reverse hair loss and bring your confidence back.
How TCM Explains Hair Loss
Most health conditions, including hair loss, can be explained through the concept of Qi. Qi is considered a vital force of life that flows through your entire body. Whenever there is an imbalance in Qi, it will cause disease or illness.
TCM views hair loss as a result of the following adverse changes:
Blood deficiency: A weakened liver and spleen can affect blood flow to the hair, reducing nutrient supply and causing hair loss.
Kidney deficiency: The kidneys contain an essence that helps maintain hair growth and colour. When the kidney weakens, your hair grows slower and gradually turns grey.
Damp heat: Singapore’s dry, humid climate, along with our preference for hot, spicy food and ice-cool drinks, contributes to damp heat in the body. As a result, this “heatiness” builds up and can cause hair loss as it interrupts the flow of qi to your hair.
Types of Hair Loss
Hair loss can occur in various forms.
Male/Female Pattern Hair Loss
Scientifically referred to as Androgenetic Alopecia, this is the most common form of hair loss. Male pattern hair loss may cause baldness in men but is rarer for women with female pattern hair loss. This condition is commonly known to be hereditary.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles that hold your hair in place.
Scarring Alopecia
A rare form of hair loss, severe inflammation permanently destroys hair follicles and leaves behind scar tissue.
Traction Alopecia
This hair loss occurs when someone applies excessive force when pulling the hair into certain hairstyles, like braids. After doing this repeatedly, it can lead to bald spots.
Postpartum Alopecia
If you are experiencing significant hair loss three to four months after childbirth, that may be a sign of postpartum alopecia lasting between six to 12 months after birth. The duration varies from person to person due to hormonal changes that will slowly normalise over time.
How Does TCM Help With Hair Loss?
While modern Western medicine relies on medication and surgery to treat hair loss, TCM takes a holistic approach to examining your body and its functions. Here at Yi TCM, our professional TCM practitioners will look at underlying symptoms or conditions that may be contributing to your hair loss. A complete examination will involve looking at your current health condition and even non-verbal cues, such as sources of stress (i.e., worrying about a loved one).
Once they ascertain the problem, they will prescribe appropriate TCM treatment techniques and herbal medicines to help you overcome hair loss.
Acupuncture uses thin needles to prick specific acupuncture points, or acupoints, that promote the flow of qi in your body and remove any blockages obstructing that flow. Acupuncture is known to be able to treat a variety of health complications ranging from neck pain to menstrual cramps.
Acupuncture can help stimulate blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, promoting better blood flow that brings essential nutrients to nourish the follicles and let your hair grow. Inserting the needles at specific points also causes the blood vessels to widen, further improving blood flow to the hair follicles. They may also help to undo other imbalances affecting other organs like the spleen and liver, improving your health over time.
There are a variety of herbs that you can take to help you alleviate various complications that may be affecting your health:
- Ginseng: Commonly used in numerous herbal cures, ginseng is a well-regarded herb for its many beneficial properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Among its many benefits, ginseng can stimulate hair follicle activity, strengthen hair strands, and even inhibit the growth of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme linked to hair loss.
- Goji berries: These berries, also known as wolfberries, are packed with antioxidants, protecting your hair follicles from harmful free radicals that can damage your hair. It also has many minerals and vitamins that promote hair growth and nourish and strengthen hair follicles.
- Angelica sinensis: Angelica root is another herb that helps nourish your blood, improve blood flow, balance your hormones and alleviate stress.
- Polygonum multiflorum: This herb is known as Fo-ti and He Shou Wu. It also contains plenty of healthy compounds that benefit hair health, protecting the hair from damage and inflammation, preventing premature greying, and improving blood circulation.
Healthy Hair Scalp vs Hair Loss Scalp
Hair loss can happen without warning. It may start with a few loose strands of hair but will eventually lead to:
- Gradual hair thinning. For men, it begins at the hairline near the forehead. For women, thinning occurs on the hair’s parting (on the top of your head) or from a receding hairline.
- Bald spots that mainly affect men.
- Thin or fragile hair strands may indicate an underlying condition.
- Pain or discomfort on your scalp.
- Dry and flaky skin on your scalp. If there are noticeable swells or scaling, it may indicate an underlying condition.
In contrast, a healthy scalp has the following characteristics:
- Clean, hydrated skin.
- Healthy hair that does not break or fall out easily.
- No signs of inflammation, scarring, or scaling.
Healthy Hair Tips
To maintain healthy hair, you can practice these simple care tips to beat back hair loss.
- Gently massage your scalp occasionally if you cannot attend acupuncture sessions. You can do this from home to promote blood circulation in your scalp. You can do this massage every morning and night for 5 minutes.
- Reduce your intake of greasy, cold, salty, sweet, and spicy foods. Everything in moderation, as they say!
- Increase your intake of healthier foods: whole grains, healthy proteins, fruits, vegetables, and more.
- Ensure your diet includes plenty of nutrients that your body needs. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to help improve scalp health.
- Get regular exercise to stay fit as a fiddle.
- Sleep early so your gallbladder and liver can detox your body effectively.
- Avoid frequently using a hair dryer to dry your hair, as it can cause gradual damage to the scalp.
Get Comprehensive TCM Care For Your Hair
At Yi TCM, we prioritise your well-being above all else. Besides fertility care, we provide holistic health care through Eastern and Western medical knowledge. Contact us today for a detailed consultation of your hair care needs. Our highly qualified practitioners will recommend the most suitable treatments and herbal remedies for your needs.