bubble_chart Concept

Hair variation refers to abnormal changes in the color and morphology of hair, such as graying, yellowing, and dryness of hair.

This condition has been recorded in classical medical texts, such as "graying of hair and beard" (Suwen.Shanggu Tianzhen Lun), "dull hair color", "lack of hair luster", "dry hair" (Lingshu.Jingmai), "white hair", "yellow hair", "yellow beard" (Zhubing Yuanhou Lun. Various conditions of hair diseases), etc. For the convenience of clinical differentiation, they are grouped together and collectively referred to as "hair variation".

Hair variation is a pathological manifestation. Physiological phenomena such as white hair, yellow hair, and curly hair caused by age or ethnicity are not within the scope of this discussion.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Deficiency of Essence and Blood︰It is more common in middle-aged adults. The clinical manifestations include thin, weak, dry, and dull beard and hair, gradual thinning of the hair on the top and sides of the head, accompanied by dizziness, blurred vision, a sallow complexion, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, feverish sensations in the palms and soles, possibly night sweats, seminal emissions, menstrual irregularities in women, a red tongue with scant coating, and a weak, thin, rapid pulse. Hair changes usually start from the roots, with no hair breakage, and often begin at the crown or sides of the head, accompanied by liver-kidney yin deficiency symptoms. The treatment involves nourishing water to moisten wood, and Shouwu Yanshou Dan can be selected. If the condition is caused by excessive sexual activity, one may try Huan Yuan prepared salt pills.
2. Deficiency of Both Qi and Blood︰It is commonly seen in chronic illness or postpartum. The clinical manifestations include hair that is pale or shallow yellow, dry and brittle, with uniform thinning and shedding. In children, the hair may appear withered, yellow, soft, and disheveled, accompanied by pale lips and face, palpitation, shortage of qi and lack of strength, low and weak speech, anorexia, emaciation, a pale-red tongue with scant coating, and a soggy, thin, and weak pulse. Hair abnormalities often start from the ends, presenting as sparse, rough, and split hair that is dry and brittle, without a specific affected area, along with signs of qi and blood deficiency and a weak pulse. The treatment principle is tonifying and replenishing qi and blood. Commonly prescribed formulas include Eight Precious Ingredients Decoction, Major Tonifying Pill, or internally administered Four Substances Kanli Pill. For yellow, dry, or dull and discolored sideburns, Chrysanthemum Flower Powder can be used for washing, or Wuyun Powder for topical application.
3. Blood-heat Wind-dryness︰It is commonly seen in adolescents. The clinical manifestations include premature graying of hair, scattered among black hair, or an increasing number of white hair strands over time, usually without significant subjective symptoms. The tongue tip is red with a thin white coating, and the pulse is wiry and rapid. Adolescents are full of vigor, with excessive yang-heat, which scorches the blood and damages the nutrient qi, depriving the hair of nourishment and leading to premature graying. The symptom and sign characteristics are: white hair that is not fine or soft, occurring in clusters or mixed among black hair, without split ends at the tips. The tongue texture is red, and the pulse is wiry and rapid. Treatment involves cooling blood and clearing heat, and medications such as Wu Fa Wan (Black Hair Pill) may be prescribed.

The above three syndromes, the first two are of deficiency type and should be treated with tonification, while the latter is of excess type and should be treated with cooling. Yixue Rumen points out: "To treat graying hair, one must use medicine according to the syndrome. If one disregards the zang-fu organs and focuses solely on the hair, recklessly administering pills and powders, it is like cutting open the abdomen to hide a pearl." This has certain guiding significance for the pattern differentiation and treatment of this condition. The disease cause of this condition is complex, and although there are many treatment methods, the effects are slow. Especially for "premature graying," there are often no systemic symptoms, making treatment even more challenging and worthy of our in-depth research.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Lingshu-Jingmai: "When the hand Taiyin qi is exhausted, the skin and hair become scorched. Taiyin is the moving qi that warms the skin and hair. Therefore, if the qi does not nourish, the skin and hair become scorched. When the skin and hair are scorched, the body fluids are stripped from the skin and joints. When the body fluids are stripped from the skin and joints, the nails become dry and the hair falls out... When the hand Shaoyin qi is exhausted, the meridians become blocked. When the meridians are blocked, the blood does not flow. When the blood does not flow, the hair color loses its luster..."
2. Zhubing Yuanhou Lun．On Various Diseases of Hair: "The foot Shaoyin is the meridian of the kidney. The kidney governs the bone marrow, and its brilliance is manifested in the hair. If the blood and qi are abundant, the kidney qi is strong. If the kidney qi is strong, the bone marrow is full, so the hair is moist and black. If the blood and qi are deficient, the kidney qi is weak. If the kidney qi is weak, the bone marrow is depleted, so the hair turns white... The blood of the foot Shaoyin meridian nourishes the hair externally. If the blood and qi are abundant, the hair is moist and black. If the blood and qi are deficient and exhausted, they cannot nourish the hair, so the hair turns yellow... The blood of the foot Shaoyang meridian nourishes the beard externally. If the blood and qi are abundant, the beard is beautiful and long. If the blood and qi are deficient and insufficient, they cannot nourish and moisten externally, so the beard turns yellow."