Acupuncture for Treating Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    March 2026 in “ Medicine ”
    Ji Hee Jun, Hye Won Lee, Tae-Young Choi, Myeong Soo Lee
    TLDR Acupuncture may help with hair regrowth in alopecia areata, but more research is needed.
    This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating alopecia areata (AA) by analyzing 11 randomized controlled trials with 1,134 participants. The findings indicate that acupuncture, especially when combined with other traditional medical therapies, may enhance hair regrowth and reduce hair loss in AA patients. However, the quality of evidence was generally low to moderate, with variations across studies. Some mild adverse events, such as pain and skin reactions, were reported. While acupuncture shows promise as a complementary treatment for AA, further high-quality research is necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    11 / 11 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 6 results

      community Why don't more people here use oils?

      in Treatment  21 upvotes 6 years ago
      The conversation discusses using oils like pumpkin seed, rosemary, peppermint, and grape seed oil for hair regrowth, claiming they can be as effective as finasteride or minoxidil without side effects. Some users remain skeptical and prefer proven treatments like minoxidil.

      community Question about Min/Fin + any natural regrowth tips

      in Chat  1 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user is concerned about hair thinning at 23 and is considering Minoxidil and finasteride for treatment, asking about long-term use and side effects. They also mention using collagen and exploring acupuncture for hair regrowth.

      community Dudasteride/Minoxidil for 3 years. Anything else?

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  1 upvotes 8 months ago
      The user has been using dutasteride and oral minoxidil for over three years with good results and is seeking additional treatments to improve hair growth by 10-15%. Suggestions include derma stamping, red light therapy, deep massage, caffeinated shampoos, and biotin supplementation.

      community this community is so funny bro

      in Satire  1804 upvotes 1 year ago
      Hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride are discussed, with users sharing mixed experiences about effectiveness and side effects. Some users report positive results, while others express concerns about side effects, highlighting the importance of personal choice.

      community Diffuse thinning fucking sucks

      in Update  430 upvotes 2 years ago
      The conversation discusses various treatments for hair loss, including finasteride, minoxidil, dutasteride, microneedling, and checking for nutrient deficiencies. Some users suggest adding hydrocortisone butyrate, low-dose progesterone, or tretinoin to treatment regimens, while others recommend cosmetic solutions like Toppik hair fibers or shaving the head.

    Similar Research

    6 / 371 results