• Androgenic alopecia: Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are types of androgenic alopecia. Male pattern baldness is the most common form of alopecia. It can be genetic, but it is often due to hormonal imbalances. This type of alopecia (hair loss) causes hair loss around the crown or the hairline.

• Scarring alopecia: Also called cicatrical alopecia, this is often caused by injury or autoimmune disorders (like lupus).

• Alopecia areata: When we hear the term “alopecia”, this is typically what people are referring to. Alopecia areata is “patchy” hair loss that comes and goes, and is often associated with an autoimmune response from the body. An autoimmune reaction is when the body’s immune system attacks itself (instead of attacking germs or antigens). In this case, the body attacks healthy hair follicles. In alopecia areata, areas of the scalp can become completely bald and then regain hair every few months.

• Traction alopecia: Traction alopecia occurs mostly in women or men with longer hair. It is caused by actions that put stress on the hair follicle, like pulling hair back into tight hairstyles, or tight braiding. Traction alopecia can also be caused by frequent use of chemicals on the hair, like frequent coloring / perms / relaxers.

Because Eastern Medicine looks at conditions from a whole-body perspective. Here are a few additional symptoms that can be linked to hair loss:

• Stress

• Insomnia

• Bloating, reflux, constipation

• Numbness, tingling or coldness in hands and feet

• Sweating of palms and / or feet

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Inability to lose weight

• Irregular menstrual cycles

• Frequent colds, seasonal allergies and / or food allergies

When thinking about alopecia, it becomes easier to see how acupuncture can assist with hair growth. Hair growth relies upon several factors, but one of those factors is proper nutrition and blood flow to hair follicles. Acupuncture points both on the body and on the scalp can assist with bringing additional circulation to hair follicles.

Acupuncture also has effects on the immune system, and can help regulate normal immune function and curb autoimmune reactions. And because of this, acupuncture for alopecia areata is particularly quite effective.