1
Blood deficiency hair loss
- Key distinguishing signs
- Dry, thin hair shedding diffusely, with sallow face, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, pale tongue, fine pulse; common postpartum.
- Treatment principle
- Nourish blood to promote hair growth
Skin & Hairtuōfà
Hair Loss
Also called:Hair lossHair sheddingThinning hairAlopecia
From the TCM perspective: TCM 'you feng' (alopecia) / hair loss; hair is the surplus of blood and the kidney's bloom, related to liver-kidney and qi-blood.
Overview
Hair loss is increased shedding, thinning or patchy alopecia. The Suwen says the kidney's flourishing is manifested in hair, and hair is the 'surplus of blood'. TCM treats it mainly through blood deficiency, depleted kidney essence, damp-heat steaming upward, or qi stagnation with blood stasis.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Insufficient kidney essence
- Key distinguishing signs
- Thinning or prematurely gray hair, loose teeth, tinnitus, sore weak knees, poor memory; yin types have vexing heat, yang types cold intolerance; deep fine pulse.
- Treatment principle
- Tonify kidney, fill essence and nourish blood
3
Damp-heat steaming upward (seborrheic)
- Key distinguishing signs
- Oily itchy scalp with dandruff and thinning, bitter taste, red tongue with yellow greasy coat, slippery rapid pulse.
- Treatment principle
- Clear heat, drain dampness and strengthen spleen
4
Qi stagnation and blood stasis
- Key distinguishing signs
- Long-standing or patchy hair loss with dusky scalp, possibly headache and emotional stress, dark tongue with stasis dots, choppy pulse.
- Treatment principle
- Move qi, quicken blood and free collaterals to promote growth
Daily self-care
- Sleep regularly and eat adequate protein, iron and zinc; avoid crash diets.
- Wash gently and limit chemical treatments, tight traction styles and high-heat styling; reduce stress.
- Sudden patchy or heavy shedding, or scalp redness/scaling with systemic symptoms, warrants dermatology care.
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Red, swollen, painful or pus-draining scalp with fever: prompt care.
- Sudden diffuse shedding with fatigue, cold intolerance, marked weight change or menstrual disturbance: check thyroid, anemia, etc.
- Hair loss linked to severe low mood or self-harm risk: seek help immediately.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.