Hair loss can greatly affect our appearance and rob us of our confidence. If you are currently experiencing it, you are not alone. Hair loss and thinning hair are common problems affecting both men and women, often when reaching a certain age. Or it can happen after certain life events such as high stress periods, or after giving birth.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views hair loss as connected to your health overall. Deficiencies in organs or vital substances linked hair health can trigger hair loss.
PULSE TCM Approach to Hair Loss
For men: hair loss usually begins in the temporal area, and the receding hairline eventually forms a characteristic “M” shape. Hair at the crown also thins, often progressing to baldness.
For women: hair loss usually begins at the crown of the scalp. It produces a gradual/diffuse thinning of the hair.
An autoimmune disease whereby the body’s own immune system attacks the hair follicles.
It usually presents as patches of hair loss on the scalp. Short broken hair can also be seen around the margins of the expanding patches.
Acute and chronic hair loss
Triggered when physiological stress or hormonal changes lead to a sudden increase of hair shedding during a certain period. Some common triggers are child birth, significant stress, high fever, severe infections to major surgery.
According to Chinese medicine, the volume and quality of the hair is a reflection of the internal health, as well as the state of Qi (vital life energy) and blood of the person.
TCM believes that hair health is closely linked to blood. This is because our blood contains the nutrients required to nourish our hair. Thus, hair loss is typically attributed to blood deficiency (or poor blood circulation) at the problem areas.
According to TCM, select organs such as the Spleen, Liver and Kidney play a crucial role in blood functioning, healthy hair growth and blackness of the hair. Thus, any deficiencies in the functioning of these organs can contribute to hair loss.
SPLEEN
Source of Qi (vital body energy) and blood.
A compromised Spleen system can result in blood deficiency and affects the nutrient supply to the hair.
LIVER
Stores the blood and regulates the movement of Qi in the body.
The state of Qi (vital body energy) also affects hair health. Excessive stress or emotional trauma can lead to a syndrome named ‘Liver Qi stagnation’, which is linked to hair loss.
KIDNEYS
Stores a substance named ‘Jing’ required for hair growth & colour.
A compromised Kidney system can lead to slower hair growth, brittle hair and increased white hairs.
Our programme begins with a TCM diagnostic process to evaluate the root causes of your hair loss. At the initial consultation, our physicians will:
Based on your diagnosis, the treatments will be tailored to your unique underlying causes and hair loss condition.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate Qi, the body’s vital energy flow, target various health issues and promote balance. The specific locations where the needles are inserted (acupoints) function to target different types of health imbalances.
Your physician will stimulate select acupoints to improve Qi and blood circulation to the scalp, as well as address your unique health imbalances as identified in your diagnosis.
Clinical research evidence has proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing hair loss and stimulating hair growth.
How can acupuncture actually help with hair loss?
In tandem with acupuncture, your physician may also prescribe herbal medication to :
Each treatment session consists of a consultation followed by acupuncture, requiring approximately 30 to 60 minutes (the first session will be longer than subsequent sessions).
To experience results, we recommend coming for at least 10 sessions at once weekly intervals.
After some sessions, you are likely to observe reduced hair fall. For growth, it takes around one month for the hair follicle to grow approximately 1cm.
Depending on your hair condition, in the beginning, it is advisable at least once weekly or twice when possible. As this programme introduces micro-trauma to expedite regeneration of hair follicles, long intervals between sessions are discouraged.
You may observe tiny hairs growing in the hair thinning or alopecia areas. You may also notice improvement in the overall quality of your hair.
Note: This is a general guide. Programme results and progress would vary by individual.
Inclusive of a consultation with our TCM physician and an acupuncture treatment session.
Subsequent treatments’ pricing are a-la-carte.
*Prices are exclusive of GST.
To enjoy this trial price, please notify our clinic that you are coming for a trial session upon registration. Otherwise regular pricing will apply.
Herbal medication, other treatments, or additional acupuncture to address other ailments would be charged separately.
Credit packages are available in-clinic. Consult with your physician to find one that suits your needs.
