Hair Loss: Acupressure Points & Self-Care

Losing up to 100 hairs from your scalp every day is normal, and for most people the hair grows back. Many men, and some women, lose hair as they grow older. Other causes include a family history, diseases such as thyroid problems, diabetes or lupus, certain medicines and chemotherapy, stress, a low-protein diet and poor nutrition.

Traditional use: in TCM, points such as GV-20, KI-3 and SP-6 are traditionally used for hair loss. Treatment depends on the cause: treating the cause can sometimes fix the problem, and other options include medicines and hair restoration.

Recognizing Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

  • Losing more hair than usual
  • Thinning hair or bald patches

Primary Points for Hair Loss

Select a point to learn more.

Additional Support Points

Select a point to learn more.

Self-Care Acupressure Routines

Scalp Routine (15 minutes, 3-5 times per week)

  1. Sit comfortably with shoulders relaxed and spine straight
  2. Begin with 5 minutes of slow, deep breathing
  3. Gently press GV-20 for 1-2 minutes
  4. Massage KI-3 for 1 minute each foot
  5. Apply pressure to SP-6 for 1 minute each leg
  6. For stress-related hair loss: add LR-3 for 1 minute each foot
  7. Optional: include BL-17 and BL-23
  8. Finish with 5 minutes of gentle scalp massage with your fingertips, in small circles from hairline to crown

Everyday Considerations

Causes to rule out

  • Health: Thyroid problems, diabetes, lupus, certain medicines
  • Diet: A low-protein diet and poor nutrition

Pregnancy

  • Traditionally avoided during pregnancy: SP-6, CV-4. Skip these points if you are or may be pregnant.

When to Seek Medical Care

See a health care provider

  • To find the cause: treatment for hair loss depends on it