Women’s Hair Loss: Causes, Testing & Today’s Best Treatments

A Dermatologist’s Guide to Understanding and Treating Thinning Hair

Hair thinning in women is far more common than most people realize—and far more emotionally impactful. Whether it’s increased shedding in the shower, widening part lines, loss of fullness, or sudden thinning after stress or illness, female hair loss can feel overwhelming.

The good news: most forms of women’s hair loss are treatable. The key is proper diagnosis, early intervention, and a tailored plan based on your root cause.

At Aria Dermatology & Aesthetics, Dr. Victoria Moss, MD, FAAD brings together medical dermatology, integrative evaluation, and regenerative therapies like PRP to restore hair health from multiple angles.

Understanding How Hair Grows

Hair grows in cycles, including:

• Anagen: active growth phase

• Catagen: transition phase

• Telogen: resting/shedding phase

Disruptions in these phases—hormonal, inflammatory, nutritional, or stress-related—can shift hairs prematurely into shedding.

Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women

• Female Pattern Hair Loss (Female Androgenetic Alopecia)

  A gradual thinning along the crown and part line. Often hereditary and hormonally influenced.

• Telogen Effluvium (TE)

  Sudden shedding triggered by stress, illness, postpartum changes, weight loss, or medications.

• Hormonal Shifts

  Perimenopause, menopause, thyroid disease, and postpartum changes can disrupt growth cycles.

• Nutritional Deficiencies

  Low iron (ferritin), vitamin D, zinc, or inadequate protein intake can weaken hair.

• Autoimmune Causes

  Conditions like alopecia areata cause patchy loss.

• Inflammatory Scalp Diseases

  Seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and folliculitis can contribute to shedding and poor growth.

Diagnostic Testing: Finding the Root Cause

A comprehensive evaluation helps differentiate temporary shedding from long-term thinning.

Labs commonly ordered include:

• Ferritin + iron studies

• Thyroid panel

• Vitamin D

• Zinc levels

• Hormonal markers (DHEA-S, testosterone in select cases)

• CBC + metabolic markers

• Inflammatory markers (if indicated)

Scalp Evaluation

Dr. Moss assesses:

• Pattern of thinning

• Follicle density

• Signs of inflammation

• Miniaturization of hairs

• Scaling or dermatitis

Timeline Review

When did shedding start? Any recent stressors, illness, childbirth, medication change?

Understanding the origin is the foundation of successful treatment.

PRP: Regenerative Treatment for Hair Thinning

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is one of the most effective, natural regenerative treatments for female hair loss.

How PRP Works

Your own blood is spun to concentrate platelets, which contain growth factors that:

• Stimulate dormant or weakened follicles

• Extend the anagen (growth) phase

• Improve hair thickness and density

• Increase scalp circulation

• Slow down miniaturization

Treatment Schedule

• 3 treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart

• Maintenance every 6–12 months

Who PRP Helps Most

• Early to moderate female pattern thinning

• Telogen effluvium recovery

• Postpartum hair loss

• Thinning due to hormonal or stress changes

PRP is drug-free, non-surgical, and uses your own biology—an excellent option for women who prefer natural therapies.

Medical Treatments for Hair Loss

Dr. Moss may combine PRP with evidence-based medical therapies such as:

Topical Treatments

• Prescription-strength minoxidil

• Anti-androgen topicals (in select cases)

• Scalp serums with peptides or growth factors

Oral Options (when appropriate)

• Low-dose oral minoxidil

• Spironolactone (for hormonally influenced thinning)

• Finasteride if post-menopausal

• Nutritional vitamin supplementation

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)

At-home devices that stimulate follicular activity via red/near-infrared wavelengths.

Lifestyle & Integrative Strategies

Because hair is metabolically active, wellness factors matter.

Nutrition

Adequate protein intake is essential, along with micronutrients.

Stress Management

Chronic stress increases shedding through cortisol-driven shifts in growth cycles.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Hair follicles shrink over time if underlying causes are not addressed. Early treatment helps:

• Preserve follicle density

• Improve long-term results

• Reduce the amount of overall hair loss

• Enhance responsiveness to PRP and medications

Experiencing shedding, thinning, or changes in your part line?

Schedule a hair loss consultation with Dr. Moss to begin a science-based, integrative plan for regrowth.