Many urban ladies are bothered by hair loss and think it affects their appearance. However, everyone’s body constitution and the causes of hair loss are different. Especially for younger women, hair loss is usually not caused by blood or kidney deficiency*. If you take too much supplements or herbs to boost kidney function for hair growth, not only may it not be helpful, but there is a chance that it will cause excessive “toxins” accumulated in body.
*Kidney deficiency: A term used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It refers to the condition where the energy and hormone level of a person is weak when aging.
Real case study: Acupunture and Chinese Medicine treatment for female hair loss and widening hair part
29 years old Ms. Xu: “In the past few years, I feel that the hair part on the top of my head is getting wider, and my hair is getting thinner…”
Patient’s background: Ms. Xu, a 29-year-old patient, works as an accountant. In recent years, she has noticed that the hair part has become wider and hair is getting thinner. At first, she thought that she had insufficient Qi and blood and weak liver and kidneys, leading to hair loss, so she has been trying to use topical medications. She tried a variety of hair growth essences, took kidney-tonifying Chinese medicine and hair growth supplements, but there was no obvious improvement.
Physician’s analysis: After consultation, I learned that Ms. Xu is under intensive stress at work. She often works overtime and overthinks a lot. Emotional stress and hormonal imbalance is the real cause of her hair loss, instead of Qi and blood or liver and kidney weakness. No wonder taking kidney-tonifying and hair-growing supplements and products are ineffective. In addition to hair loss, Ms. Xu also suffered from irregular menstrual periods, period cramps, headaches, and indigestion. Combined with comprehensive diagnostic information such as pulse checking, it was determined that the cause of Ms. Xu’s hair loss was liver qi stagnation, which means that qi and blood do not flow smoothly, leading to hormonal imbalance. and poor blood circulation in the scalp. These were causing hair loss and widen hair part.
Treatment and outcome: After one month of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture treatment, some short baby hair wad growing out of the wide hair part (originally bald area) on Ms. Xu’s head. After regular acupuncture treatment for 3 months, the hair part is significantly narrowed and the hair volume is increased, which solves the hair loss problem that bothering her for several years. On the other hand, Ms. Xu also said that her menstrual condition, gastrointestinal and headache symptoms have also been greatly improved.
Common causes of hair loss in women
Genetic hair loss
People with a family history of hair loss are more likely to develop hair loss, and baldness is more common in men.
Frequent staying up late and emotional stress can cause hair loss
Stress or mood swings disrupt hormonal levels, affecting the hair growth cycle and causing hair loss. Staying up late over a long period of time and over-drafting the body will deplete Qi and blood. Emotional stress can also lead to poor blood circulation in scalp hair. This cause of hair loss is common in young women and is often accompanied by symptoms such as menstrual disorders and headaches.
Extreme dieting to lose weight leads to malnutrition and hair loss
Sudden changes in the diet or fasting to lose weight in a short period of time, such as improperly cutting out starches and replacing meals with fruits, will cause the body to lack necessary nutrients, such as protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12, etc., which will hinder the normal growth and health of hair. and disrupts hormone levels.
Frequent hair dyeing damages the scalp and causes hair loss
Frequent use of hair dyes can cause irritation and damage to scalp hair due to the chemical ingredients in them. When the hair quality becomes poor and becomes soft, it is more likely to be torn.
Diseases and drugs cause hair loss
Certain diseases (such as thyroid disease, anemia) and medications (such as chemotherapy drugs) can also cause hair loss. Factors such as excessive hair oil secretion and fungal infection can affect scalp hair follicles, causing hair to fail to grow normally and healthily.
Which group of female are prone to hair loss? (Traditional Chinese Medicine view)
In addition to the above causes of hair loss, hair loss problems are most common in the following people:
Women with menstrual disorders and irregular periods are prone to hair loss
Menstrual period is an important indicator reflecting the status of qi and blood in a woman’s body. Light period flow can indicate insufficient liver and kidney qi and blood. Women suffering from period cramps have poor Qi and blood circulation and are prone to hair loss.
Postpartum women are prone to hair loss
Qi and blood are depleted during the childbirth process. Postpartum mother often experience a hair loss period of 2 months to half a year, with a sudden large amount of hair loss. In particular, women who have had a caesarean section lose more blood. If they do not pay attention to confinement and body replenishment after giving birth, their body recovery will be slower and hair loss may last longer.
Menopausal women are prone to hair loss and gray hair
Women after the age of 45 are about to enter menopause, and their liver and kidney qi and blood are weaker than before. In addition to the obvious increase in gray hair at this stage, hair loss is also common in women with weaker constitutions and they age earlier.
Patients with stress or mental illness are prone to hair loss
People who are under high stress, suffer from depression or anxiety, because their hormone levels are easily disturbed, will increase the risk of hair loss and even alopecia areata(spot baldness).
Daily tips on female hair loss by Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist
Eat a nutritious diet to prevent hair loss
Your daily diet should focus on a balanced diet and include foods rich in protein, iron, zinc and vitamins, such as eggs, lean meat, fish, beans, nuts and dark green leafy vegetables. Some kidney-tonifying foods, such as black sesame seeds, walnuts, and black beans, are also helpful for hair growth.
Traditional Chinese medicine and dietary therapy nourishing qi and blood for hair growth
People with hair loss can take appropriate traditional Chinese medicine to replenish qi and blood according to their personal constitution, such as Dang gui, wolfberry, mulberry, etc., which can nourish liver and kidney qi and blood and promote hair growth. But remember that these herbal medicines should be taken under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.
Meridian massage and acupuncture promotes hair growth
Use a scalp massage comb to comb your hair, and massage and tap your head with your fingertips more often to promote blood circulation and improve the nutrient supply to the hair follicles. In addition, acupressure massage on acupoints, such as Baihui point(DU20), Fengchi point(GB20), etc., is also beneficial to the circulation of qi and blood in the head and neck.
Hair care to reduce hair loss
Hair is most fragile when it is wet, so you should comb your hair before shampooing and rinsing. You should also blow dry your hair thoroughly after washing to minimize hair loss caused by pulling. Reduce chemical treatments such as hair dyeing and perming to avoid irritating the scalp.
