Acupuncture treats alopecia
The exact cause of pattern baldness, or alopecia in medical parlance, is unknown. Japanese researchers may have discovered the gene that causes hair loss, but that hasn’t translated into a cure just yet. Americans spend $3.5 billion combatting hair loss each year, according to the Washington Post, and most of these products fail to work. So what can you do?
It’s time to try acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This unique combination has been treating hair loss (alopecia) for thousands of years with great results. The real trick is start treatment as soon as you see changes in your hair, from thinning to a receding hairline to pattern baldness. Get started sooner rather than later.
Pattern Alopecia
Acupuncture treatments are done both systemically to harmonize the body, and also on the scalp itself to improve circulation and encourage hair growth. Topical herbal remedies are applied to the scalp and separate herbal formulas are taken internally to encourage hair growth. In most cases, stimulation of the scalp is added to acupuncture treatments.
What are the causes and symptoms of hair loss (alopecia)?
The exact cause of alopecia is unknown. Researchers believe there are a variety of genetic, environmental and hormonal (androgenic) causes involved. Pattern hair loss is partially related to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes follicles to shrink, shortening their lifespan and preventing normal hair growth. New research suggests prostaglandins may play a roll in hair loss.
People often call pattern and androgenic types of alopecia “male pattern baldness,” but alopecia can affect both men and women. In men, male pattern baldness is characterized by a well-defined pattern of hair loss. Hair loss begins above the temples and the hairlines. There is also hair thinning and hair loss at the crown of the head. In women, there isn’t pattern baldness, but instead there is an overall thinning of the hair on the head and the hairline does not recede. Men may experience the same “pattern” as women.
How does acupuncture treat hair loss (alopecia)?
In Chinese medicine, the hair is related to vital substances, like the Blood, and the health of the internal organs. By strengthening these parts of the body, hair re-growth is encouraged. I use acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to do exactly this. I use both internal herbal formulations and topical ones, like scalp rinses and shampoos.
Another technique I use is called micro-current stimulation of the scalp along with acupuncture. This helps to encourage new hair growth by improving blood circulation and nutrients to reach the scalp.
My additional training in dermatology allows me to customize each treatment to you, the patient, and make sure you get the results you want. Treatments last between 6 and 9 months if hair loss has begun recently, longer for a longer standing problem.
To make an appointment with for treatment, please go to the Appointments page. If you have further questions, feel free to ask through the Contact page.