What is Stress-Related Hair Loss, and is it Reversible? A TCM Perspective
Hair loss can be a troubling experience, and one of the common causes is stress. While it’s natural to shed some hair each day, losing more than usual, or noticing thinning patches, could point to an imbalance in your body. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, stress-related hair loss is not just about what’s happening to your hair—it’s about what’s going on inside your body, particularly with your energy flow and organ systems.
How Does Stress Affect Your Hair in TCM?
In TCM, we believe that the body’s energy, known as Qi (气), must flow smoothly for health to be maintained. When you experience stress, it disrupts the balance of your Qi, particularly in the Liver. The Liver is responsible for ensuring that your Qi flows freely and smoothly throughout the body. When you’re stressed, the Liver Qi can become stagnant, like water pooling in a river, and this causes blockages in the flow of energy and blood.
Why is this important for hair growth?
Your hair is nourished by the Blood (which is different from the Western view of blood), and the flow of blood to your scalp is essential for healthy hair follicles. When Liver Qi stagnates, it blocks blood flow, and your scalp doesn’t receive the nutrients it needs for healthy hair. Additionally, stress weakens other parts of the body like the Kidneys, which in TCM are seen as the foundation of your overall vitality and hair health.
Can Stress Really Lead to Hair Loss?
It’s well recognised that emotional stress and anxiety can contribute to hair loss, and in many cases, the effects aren’t immediately apparent. A stressful event or prolonged period of anxiety can disrupt your body’s natural processes, often leading to a noticeable increase in shedding three to four months later. This condition, known as telogen effluvium, occurs when more hair follicles than usual enter the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle, eventually leading to hair shedding.
The good news is that this type of hair loss is typically temporary. Once the stress subsides, the hair follicles resume their growth phase, allowing the hair to regrow naturally over time (NHS, 2023). However, managing stress effectively is essential to hasten recovery and prevent further episodes.
Research has also demonstrated that stress can lead to an increase in cortisol levels, which in turn impacts the hair follicle growth cycle. High cortisol levels can prematurely push hair follicles into the telogen phase, exacerbating hair loss (Sperling et al., 2020).
Research has also demonstrated that stress can lead to an increase in cortisol levels, which in turn impacts the hair follicle growth cycle. High cortisol levels can prematurely push hair follicles into the telogen phase, exacerbating hair loss (Sperling et al., 2020).
Three Types of Stress-Related Hair Loss in TCM
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, stress-related hair loss is often linked to disruptions in the body’s internal balance, particularly in the flow of Qi (energy), the Blood, and the Yin. There are three main types of stress-related hair loss commonly recognised in TCM:
1. Liver Qi Stagnation
Liver Qi stagnation is one of the most common causes of stress-related hair loss in TCM. The Liver plays a vital role in the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. When you experience stress, it can cause the Liver Qi to become blocked or stagnant, creating tension and disrupting the flow of energy. This stagnation affects the blood circulation to the scalp, leading to insufficient nourishment for the hair follicles. As a result, hair may become weak, brittle, and more likely to fall out.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Feeling stressed, anxious, or irritable
- Tension headaches
- Digestive issues, such as bloating or irregular bowel movements
2. Blood Deficiency
In TCM, Blood is essential for healthy hair. When the Blood is weak or deficient, hair follicles don’t receive the proper nutrients and oxygen they need to grow. Prolonged stress, poor diet, or emotional strain can lead to Blood deficiency, which often manifests in thinning hair or hair loss. The Spleen and Heart are key organs involved in the production of Blood, and when they are weakened by stress or overwork, hair health can suffer.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Pale complexion
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dry, brittle hair
3. Kidney Yin Deficiency
The Kidneys in TCM are considered the foundation of vitality and long-term health, including hair health. When stress becomes chronic, it can deplete the Kidney Yin, leading to a decline in overall energy levels and hair quality. Kidney Yin deficiency is often associated with premature hair greying or thinning, as the kidneys are believed to “nourish” the hair. This deficiency can result in hair loss due to the body’s inability to sustain healthy hair growth.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Lower back pain or weakness
- Night sweats
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Insomnia or poor sleep
What About PCOS-Related Hair Loss?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is another common condition that can lead to hair loss, though the mechanisms differ from stress-related shedding. PCOS affects hormonal balance, particularly by increasing levels of androgens (male hormones), which can shrink hair follicles and cause thinning hair.
From a TCM perspective, PCOS is seen as a combination of internal imbalances, particularly affecting the Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys. These imbalances can contribute to both hormonal disruptions and poor blood flow, which affects hair health.
Improving Blood Flow to the Scalp: Similar to stress-related hair loss, improving blood circulation to the scalp is essential. Acupuncture and blood-nourishing herbs like he shou wu are used to support hair regrowth.
Reversing Stress-Related Hair Loss: TCM Solutions
The good news is that stress-related hair loss can be reversed in many cases. In TCM, we aim to restore balance in your body by focusing on the following:
TCM Solutions for Stress-Related Hair Loss:
Is Stress-Related Hair Loss Reversible?
The short answer: yes, in many cases. Unlike other forms of hair loss, stress-related shedding is temporary. Once the underlying stress is addressed and balance is restored, your hair growth cycle can return to normal.
TCM approaches this process holistically, ensuring that your body is not just treated for hair loss but also restored to full health and harmony.
Bottom Line:
Rediscover Your Confidence, Revitalise Your Hair
Hair loss can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can regain both your hair and your confidence. By addressing stress, nourishing your body, and embracing TCM principles, you can support healthy hair growth while improving your overall well-being.
How GinSen Can Help:
- Personalised Consultation: Work with our TCM experts to create a tailored plan for your hair health and stress management.
- Herbal Remedies: Explore our range of products designed to nourish the Blood, support the Liver, and restore balance.
- Acupuncture Services: Visit one of our London clinics for treatments that improve circulation, reduce stress, and promote healthy hair growth.
Ready to take the next step? Subscribe to our blog, book your free consultation, or browse our range of hair health products today. Start your journey towards vibrant, healthy hair with GinSen.
References:
- NHS. (2023). Hair loss. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk.
- Sperling, C., Cowper, S. E., & Knopp, E. A. (2020). Stress and hair loss: A review of the relationship. Dermatologic Clinics, 38(3), 357–364.
- Kim, M. S., et al. (2018). The efficacy of acupuncture in treating stress-related disorders. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, Article ID 6794587.
- Lee, H., et al. (2017). Traditional Chinese Medicine in hair loss treatment: He Shou Wu’s role. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 209, 51–60.
- Tang, , et al. (2015). Meditation and its effect on stress-related conditions: A review. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 499.
For more information about how Chinese Medicine can help you with stress-related hair loss, book your free consultation with our Chinese Medicine experts today
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.
