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Hair Loss: Dermatology vs. Korean Medicine? Root Cause Solution Strategy

Are you finding more strands of hair falling out in the mirror? Seeing hair clumping in the drain after shampooing or scattered on your pillow can lead to anxiety. Hair loss is more than just a change in appearance; it can cause psychological distress, such as decreased self-confidence and social withdrawal. Many people wonder whether to choose a dermatology clinic or a Korean medicine clinic for hair loss treatment. The approach varies greatly depending on whether you want simple symptom relief or a root cause solution.

💡 [Key Answer] The 3 most common causes of hair loss: ① Genetic factors / ② Stress and lifestyle issues / ③ Scalp environment imbalance (inflammation, poor circulation) Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic doesn't just turn off the symptoms through constitutional improvement; we create a healthy body environment where hair can grow naturally and stay healthy.

While many believe hair loss is purely genetic, it actually results from a complex combination of various causes. Even for those with a genetic predisposition, stress, lack of sleep, overwork, and irregular or stimulating eating habits can accelerate hair loss. In Korean medicine, hair loss is seen not just as a problem of the scalp or hair, but as a diagnosis of internal imbalances, decreased function of internal organs, and qi and blood circulation disorders.

Excessive stress overactivates the sympathetic nervous system, causing heat to concentrate in the scalp and hindering blood circulation, which makes it difficult to supply nutrients to the hair roots. This shortens the hair growth cycle, leads to hair loss, and often accompanies scalp inflammation or dandruff. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic views this 'scalp heat' as a significant trigger and focuses on reducing excessive internal heat and improving circulation.

Generally, dermatologists use medication (oral or topical), injection therapy (mesotherapy, PRP), and laser treatment depending on the type of hair loss. For male-pattern baldness, oral medications that inhibit the production of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are mainly prescribed to prevent follicle shrinkage and aid growth. While effective in slowing progression or inducing growth, hormone inhibitors can have side effects like decreased sexual function, and hair loss may resume if treatment stops. Scalp irritation or inflammation can also occur.

Korean medicine understands hair loss as a physical manifestation of overall body imbalance appearing on the scalp and hair. Therefore, rather than just suppressing symptoms, the focus is on finding and improving the fundamental internal causes. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic provides personalized treatment by comprehensively diagnosing each patient's constitution, lifestyle, stress levels, and internal organ functions.

Main treatments include herbal medicine to supply nutrients for hair growth and aid circulation, acupuncture to improve scalp blood flow and strengthen roots, and pharmacopuncture to relieve inflammation and aid follicle regeneration. Pharmacopuncture, in particular, involves injecting herbal extracts directly into the scalp to activate follicles. The key is to cool the heat in the scalp and resolve stagnant blood (eohyeol) to create a healthy scalp environment.

In 2018, Professor Kim Gyu-seok's team at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital published a study in 'BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine' (SCI(E)) analyzing herbal medicines for hair loss. The study categorized treatments into three groups: first, herbs that aid circulation, immune regulation, and tonify the liver and kidneys; second, herbs that aid digestive function for nutrient absorption; and third, herbs that help main active ingredients reach the scalp. This research provides an objective basis for the Korean medicine approach to creating a healthy environment where hair doesn't just grow but stays healthy.

A 2024 meta-analysis on 'The Effects of Herbal Medicine on Alopecia Areata' analyzed 17 RCTs and found that the Total Effective Rate (TER) for patients taking oral herbal medicine was approximately 1.48 times higher than the control group (Risk ratio: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.40-1.55). This supports Dalimchae's approach of using constitutional improvement to prevent recurrence and maintain healthy hair.

Dalimchae's constitutional improvement aims for more than just regrowing hair; it focuses on 'creating a body that doesn't switch the symptoms back on.' Hair loss is deeply related to internal issues like low immunity, hormonal imbalance, and autonomic nervous system disruption.

Constitutional treatment corrects these internal issues. For example, if stress causes 'upper-body heat and lower-body cold' (sang-yeol-ha-han), we prescribe herbs to improve circulation and cool the scalp, restoring autonomic balance. If kidney function is low, we use herbs to strengthen the kidneys and increase hair growth power. Solving these fundamental problems according to individual types prevents recurrence—this is the treatment philosophy of Dalimchae in Songdo.

If 3 or more apply, your hair loss may be rooted in internal imbalance.

• Recent severe stress or anxiety.
• Frequent burning sensation or heat in the scalp.
• Poor sleep quality (difficulty falling or staying asleep).
• Frequent digestive issues (indigestion, reflux, IBS).
• Chronic fatigue and feeling heavy.
• Stiff neck/shoulders and frequent headaches.
• Hair becoming thin and weak.
• Noticeable increase in hair loss speed.
• Frequent skin troubles besides hair loss.

3+ items: Suspected constitutional hair loss stage. 5+ items: Immediate visit and precise diagnosis recommended.

Q. How long does treatment take? A. It varies by type and habit, but usually 3-6 months of steady treatment is needed considering the hair growth cycle.

Q. Can children's hair loss be treated? A. Yes, pediatric hair loss often responds well to customized treatments that restore balance without hindering growth.

Q. How do I prevent recurrence? A. Maintaining healthy habits (balanced diet, sleep, stress management) and periodic check-ups are key.

Q. Can scalp itching or inflammation be treated together? A. Yes, constitutional treatment improves the overall scalp environment, relieving inflammation and itching.

Hair loss isn't solved by just waiting. Don't ignore your body's signals anymore. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic will find the cause with you.

Where life blooms. Herbal medicine is, after all, Dalimchae.

Medical Supervision | Oh Hyunmin, KMD (Songdo Branch), Skin Disease Specialist

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