Thinning Hair? Neglecting Alopecia in Youth Leads to Regret

Much of the wisdom in the Donguibogam aligns closely with modern medicine. The view that the kidney governs vital energy corresponds in contemporary physiology to the neuroendocrine system, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as the energy-producing capacity of mitochondria. Chronic stress overstimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increases cortisol release, which can disrupt the normal hair follicle cell growth cycle and trigger inflammatory responses. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction lowers hair follicle cell vitality, slowing down hair growth and weakening strands. This shares many parallels with what the Donguibogam terms the depletion of essence. The phrase stating that hair is the surplus of blood emphasizes the importance of microcirculation in delivering nutrients essential for hair growth and health. Hair is primarily composed of keratin, and its growth requires various micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin D, and biotin. When blood circulation is impaired or nutritional imbalances occur, these essential nutrients cannot reach the hair follicles in sufficient amounts, causing hair to thin and shed easily. In particular, iron deficiency anemia, which is common in women, is recognized as a major cause of alopecia. Furthermore, microinflammation of the scalp and imbalances in the scalp microbiome are recognized as factors that worsen hair loss. Stress, poor dietary habits, ultraviolet radiation exposure, and environmental pollutants trigger inflammatory reactions in the scalp, damaging perifollicular cells and accelerating alopecia. When the resident microbial ecosystem loses its balance, dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp can readily develop, fostering conditions that promote hair loss. In this way, modern medicine explains that alopecia is not merely an external issue, but the outcome of complex, intertwined internal and external factors. The insights of the Donguibogam remain remarkably relevant today.