Alopecia

Alopecia is a broad term for hair loss, not a single diagnosis. It can include androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss), alopecia areata (an autoimmune form that often causes round patches), traction-related hair loss, telogen effluvium after stress or illness, and other less common causes. Some forms are non-scarring, meaning follicles may still be capable of producing hair, while others are scarring, where inflammation damages the follicle more permanently. That distinction is one reason treatment options vary so much.

A thoughtful treatment brief for alopecia starts with identifying the likely subtype, speed of shedding, scalp symptoms, family history, and whether hair loss is patchy, diffuse, or patterned. Western medicine often focuses on diagnosis, inflammatory control, and regrowth strategies such as minoxidil, corticosteroids, or newer immune-targeting therapies in selected cases. Eastern approaches such as acupuncture and traditional herbal medicine are often used to support stress regulation, circulation, and whole-body pattern assessment. Research quality differs across options, so a balanced plan usually depends on the cause of hair loss, how quickly it is progressing, how much risk a person is comfortable with, and how urgent cosmetic improvement feels.