Hair Loss and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Treating the Root, Not Just the Hair: A Comprehensive Approach to Hair Restoration

Much like spring draws from the quiet stores of winter, the growth of our hair is deeper than just the root. Hair loss in women has historically received far less attention than classic male-pattern baldness. Until recently, it wasn’t fully on my radar either. What I’ve come to see is that it’s far more common than we acknowledge. Often, it is tied to hormonal shifts such as PCOS, postpartum changes, menopause, and excess DHT — in both women and men.

A Shift in How I Approach Treatment

Historically, my treatment approach involved traditional acupuncture, internal herbal medicine, and the use of a seven-star or plum blossom needle for home scalp stimulation. Results were mixed, and my enthusiasm was measured. The tone was often, “Let’s see what happens. No guarantees.”

Recently, I’ve added several modalities that have changed the landscape entirely:

• Microneedling/Channeling

• Red Light Therapy

• Topical Chinese Herb-based Exosomes

  
  

The results have been, dare I say, hair-raising! Puns aside, I am excited about adding this to my list of services. Is being in the hair restoration game a long-time dream of mine? Not really, but it is fun and opens the door to patient education and treatment of the root issues that caused this in the first place. (So steady yourself for me asking about the health of your bowel movements.)

Patient Story: A Journey Through Hair Loss

This lovely woman experienced thinning hair beginning at puberty. Her hair was fine to start, and over time, the crown and frontal hairline were most affected. She embraced the lighthearted solution of donning a playful bob wig as a solution. Is today a pink or platinum hair day?

From a Chinese medicine perspective, this pattern corresponded to a deficiency of prenatal Kidney substance and Liver blood, triggered around the onset of her menstrual cycle. There was also a secondary pattern of phlegm-damp obstructing circulation and blocking the pores of the scalp.

She had previously tried DHT-blocking herbs as well as topical and oral minoxidil, with no noticeable change.

We have completed one full series of six sessions (with some technique testing prior). Given that the thinning began over 25 years ago, an additional series and time for maturation of new growth will be needed. Even so, the changes so far are significant. As she put it, “There was only a suggestion of a frontal hairline.” Now, as you can see, it’s pretty sexy.

Before-and-after photos are trickier than I expected. We did our best to control for variables; hair color was touched up between photos. Still, the changes speak for themselves.

What Treatment Looks Like

A standard course of treatment includes six sessions, scheduled every two weeks. Each session includes:

• Acupuncture

• Microneedling/channeling of the scalp

• Topical Chinese herb-derived exosomes

• A take-home topical treatment

  
  

Internal herbal medicine is often recommended to support the internal terrain but is not included in the session fee.

A Note on Expectations

Hair restoration is not a quick fix. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we are not forcing growth; we are restoring the conditions that allow growth. That means patience, consistency, and a willingness to look at the body as a whole system.

If you’re curious to explore what your hair may be reflecting about your internal health (and whether a TCM-based approach might be supportive), you’re welcome to reach out to schedule a consultation.

Understanding the Connection Between Hair and Health

Hair is often seen as a reflection of our overall health. Factors such as stress, diet, and hormonal changes can significantly impact hair growth and health. Understanding these connections can help in creating a personalized treatment plan.

The Role of Hormones in Hair Loss

Hormones play a crucial role in hair health. Conditions like PCOS and menopause can lead to hormonal imbalances that affect hair growth. Addressing these imbalances is key to effective treatment.

The Science Behind Chinese Medicine and Hair Restoration

Chinese medicine offers a holistic approach to hair restoration. By understanding the body's systems and how they interact, we can create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the root causes of hair loss.

In future posts, I’ll explore how Chinese medicine understands hair through the lens of Kidney and Liver health, hormonal cycles, and the modern science behind Chinese herb–derived exosomes.

This is the first in a short series on hair loss and restoration through a Chinese medicine lens. If you’d like support now, consultations are open.

Schedule a consult now