Autumn and winter bring dry weather and falling leaves, making hair loss more common during these seasons. "Recently, we've seen a noticeable increase in patients consulting about hair loss at our clinic," says Zheng Yanhua, Deputy Chief Physician of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Panyu Campus of Guangzhou Medical University Affiliated Second Hospital. "In fact, a normal person has about 100,000 hairs, and losing 100-150 hairs daily is considered physiological shedding—no need to panic."
Self-check for normal hair loss?
1. Hair pull test
Using your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, gently grasp a small section of hair (about 40-60 strands) at the roots and pull lightly along the hair shaft.If only 1-2 hairs come out, no need to worry; if 3 or more hairs come out, be cautious about hair loss; if more than 5 hairs come out at once, it indicates severe hair loss and you should see a doctor immediately.
2. Observe Your Pillow
For instance, upon waking in the morning, count the number of hairs left on your pillow. Multiply this count by 3 to estimate your approximate daily hair loss.
Understanding That These Forms of Hair Loss Are Normal
1. Midlife Hair Thinning: Not Alarming.
Around age 35 for women and 40 for men, hair begins to thin—a natural physiological process requiring no undue concern. Zheng Yanhua notes that negative emotions also adversely affect hair health. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that: "The kidneys store essence, and its radiance manifests in the hair.The liver stores blood, and hair is the surplus of blood." Deficiency in liver and kidney qi, insufficient essence and blood, leads to inadequate nourishment of hair. Prolonged states of fear and tension, which disrupt sleep, can further deplete liver and kidney qi and blood, causing or worsening hair loss.
Losing 100-150 hairs daily is considered physiological shedding. Zheng Yan Hua explains that hair growth follows a cyclical pattern: each strand grows for a period before entering a regression phase, where the root shrinks and enters a resting phase, eventually causing shedding. While normal shedding may thin hair to some extent, this thinning is generally imperceptible to the naked eye.
Hair loss, however, presents differently. Not only can localized thinning or even bald patches be clearly observed, but closer inspection often reveals white sebaceous granules at the roots of shed hairs.
III. Postpartum hair loss is nothing to fear.
Postpartum hair loss is a physiological phenomenon, typically occurring around 3-7 months after childbirth. It usually improves on its own within 6-9 months, rarely lasting longer than a year. Since it generally resolves spontaneously, there is no need for excessive worry or special treatment.Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes this to pre-birth depletion of maternal qi and blood, compounded by postpartum weakness, lactation, and infant feeding. This depletion prevents blood from nourishing the hair roots at the scalp's crown, causing them to dry out and hair to fall out. After weaning, proper nourishment restores blood volume and promotes hair regrowth.Similarly, individuals recovering from serious illness may experience hair thinning due to internal qi and blood deficiency. Hair will regrow once health is restored.
Ways to Reduce Hair Loss
1. Prioritize rest. Insomnia, anxiety, tension, and excessive fatigue hinder qi and blood production, all contributing to hair loss. Ensure adequate sleep, maintain a relaxed mindset, and engage in moderate physical activity to support hair growth.
2. Limit fried and greasy foods. Excessive consumption of fatty, fried, or spicy foods can cause damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, leading to oily scalp and hair loss. Balanced nutrition supports hair growth. Incorporate almonds, shellfish, steak, beans, eggs, dairy products, and citrus fruits into your diet. This approach can help prevent seasonal hair loss to some extent.
3. Reduce exposure to UV rays, chemical treatments like perms and dyes, and pool water, all of which can damage hair.
4. Wash hair moderately and prioritize gentle combing to avoid excessive pulling or pressure on the scalp.
Use Chrysanthemum Hair Wash for care. From Imperial Medical Formulas: Combine 20g each of chrysanthemum flowers, Schisandra berries, dried cypress leaves, Ligusticum root, mulberry root, white peony root, angelica root, asarum root, and Eclipta herb. Simmer in one liter of water for 20 minutes, strain, and use as shampoo. This leaves hair feeling clean and fresh, especially suitable for those with oily hair.
Avoid using excessively hot water when washing hair; around 38°C (98.6°F) is optimal, as higher temperatures can damage the cuticle.