Rubbing nails cures hair loss?

Most Acupressure Therapists swear by this. They say that rubbing the nails of both the hands can reduce hair fall and give you dense, thick and strong hair. Moreover, it can also prevent graying of hair, they add.

The method:

You have to briskly rub the fingernails of one hand against the fingernails of the other hand, excluding the thumb for 5 minutes thrice a day. Though not compulsory, it’s better if you visualize and concentrate on what you want to accomplish (whether it is a full head of hair or a head devoid of gray hair). You have to be patient and do this for one full month to notice any difference and you will reap the full benefits of practicing this technique in about 6 months.

How it works:

Acupressure is all about manipulating certain pressure points on the body called as acupoints to heal the diseased part. Usually this is done by applying physical pressure by the hand, elbow, or with various devices. Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi. Reflexology (zone therapy) is more or less similar to acupressure and involves the practice of massaging, squeezing, or pushing on parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health. Reflexologists posit that the blockage of an energy field, invisible life force, or Qi, can prevent healing. So manipulating these pressure points in a way releases this blockage to promote healing. Now coming back to the topic of ‘rubbing nails’, the nerve in the nail bed are believed to be connected to the scalp. The rubbing procedure allegedly stimulates blood flow to the scalp, thereby reducing hair-loss and improving overall hair-health. If you want to know more about Reflexology or Acupressure read these books: Reflexology and Acupressure: Pressure Points for Healing Reflexology and Acupressure: Pressure Points … by Janet Wright and Healing with Pressure Point Therapy: Simple, Effective Techniques for Massaging Away More Than 100 Common Ailments by Jack Forem

What leading dermatologists/trichologists say:

Leading dermatologists, however, are of the opinion that this is nothing but a myth. They say that Reflexology's claim to manipulate energy (Qi) is controversial, as there is no scientific evidence for the existence of life energy (Qi), 'crystalline structures,' or 'pathways' in the body. And as such ‘rubbing nails’ cannot stimulate hair-growth or prevent gray hair. Furthermore they candidly assert the following facts: Hair follicles, the tiny sacs under the skin where hair is formed contains a pigment. This pigment gives hair its colour. When the body stops producing melanin, the hair becomes colourless. In fact new studies have divulged a still more interesting fact. It says that hair turns gray as a result of a chemical chain reaction due to a dip in levels of an enzyme called catalase that causes hair to bleach itself from the inside out. The reasons could be genetic or external, caused by certain medications, improper diet, malnutrition, hormonal imbalance, stress or exposure to chemicals. Hair growth or thickness too is dependent on similar factors. A healthy lifestyle will reflect in your appearance, but if you are genetically predisposed to thinning hair or if there are a lot of people with premature gray hair in your family, then you’re likely to follow in their footsteps. Nonetheless, they hasten to add that a well balanced diet coupled with aerobic exercises will greatly reduce the chances of hair loss.

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