Thinning hair is often thought of as a men’s problem, but many women notice a wider part, a see-through crown or a smaller ponytail than they had a few years ago. It can be upsetting, and it is often easier to treat when it is caught early. At The Naderi Center, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass evaluates and treats thinning hair in women at our offices in Reston, VA and Chevy Chase, MD.
In this guide
What is the short answer on thinning hair in women?
Most thinning in women comes from female pattern hair loss, hormone changes, or a period of heavy shedding after stress, illness or pregnancy. The first step is finding the cause. When pattern thinning is the problem and the follicles are still active, PRP for hair loss can strengthen weak follicles and thicken the hair you have, often alongside topical treatment and supplements.
Why do women lose hair?
Hair loss in women rarely has a single cause. The most common ones we see are:
- Female pattern hair loss. Gradual thinning along the part and the top of the scalp, with the hairline usually kept. It often runs in families.
- Hormone changes. Perimenopause and menopause, stopping birth control, and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome can all affect hair.
- Shedding after a stressful event. Pregnancy, surgery, a high fever, a crash diet or a hard year can push many hairs into the resting phase at once. Shedding usually shows up two to three months later.
- Thyroid problems and low iron. Both are common and worth checking.
- Tight hairstyles. Braids, extensions and tight ponytails pull on the follicles over time and can thin the hairline.
More than one cause is often at work at the same time, which is why a proper evaluation matters before starting any treatment.
When should a woman see a doctor about thinning hair?
- Your part looks wider, or more scalp shows at the crown in photos or under bright light.
- You are finding much more hair in the shower or on your brush than usual, for more than a few months.
- Your ponytail feels noticeably thinner.
- Thinning comes with an itchy, red, scaly or tender scalp, or with patches of complete hair loss.
A red, scaly or painful scalp, or patchy loss, should be seen soon, since some scarring types of hair loss need treatment early to protect the follicles.
How does Dr. Snodgrass evaluate thinning hair?
At your consultation, Dr. Snodgrass reviews your health history, medications, recent life events and family history, then examines your scalp and the pattern of your thinning. When needed, she may recommend blood work, such as thyroid and iron levels, to look for causes that can be corrected. From there she builds a plan around what is actually driving your hair loss.
What are the treatment options for thinning hair in women?
- Treating the cause. Correcting low iron, a thyroid problem or a hormone issue with your doctor can make a real difference.
- Topical minoxidil. An over-the-counter treatment that helps many women with pattern thinning when used consistently.
- Hair supplements and scalp serums. We carry physician-grade options in our hair growth supplement and scalp serum shop.
- PRP injections. Your own platelets, injected into thinning areas of the scalp to strengthen weak follicles.
- Gentler hair care. Looser styles and less heat and chemical processing reduce breakage while treatment takes hold.
How does PRP help women with thinning hair?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from a small sample of your own blood, spun to concentrate the platelets and growth factors, then injected into the thinning areas of the scalp. Those growth factors support follicles that have become small and weak, which can mean less shedding, thicker strands and better coverage over time. The practice uses PRP rather than PRF for hair. There is no numbing, the visit is short, and most women go right back to their day.
Results build slowly. Many patients first notice less shedding, then thicker hair over the following months. Final results are judged several months after the series begins.
How many PRP sessions do women need, and what does it cost?
Most patients need 4 to 6 sessions, typically done a month apart, followed by maintenance sessions based on how the hair responds. You can read more in our guide to how many PRP sessions are needed for hair restoration.
At The Naderi Center, PRP for hair loss is $1,000 per session. Booking 3 or more sessions as a package saves 10%, so a full series of 4 to 6 sessions usually comes to about $3,600 to $5,400. Cherry financing is available.
What can’t PRP do for hair loss?
PRP needs living follicles to work with. It does not regrow hair in areas that have been bald for years, and it is not a treatment for scarring types of hair loss. It also does not fix a cause such as low iron or a thyroid problem, which is why we look for those first. For shedding after pregnancy or illness, the hair often returns on its own, and PRP is considered only if the thinning persists. If you are curious about PRF, our article on what PRF can and can’t do explains the difference.
Who will you see at The Naderi Center?
PRP for hair loss is performed by Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, a board-certified dermatologist, at both of our offices. The Naderi Center is led by Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, who medically reviewed this guide.
“Hair frames the face. When a woman’s hair starts to thin, she often feels she looks older or more tired, even when her skin looks great. That’s why we look at the whole picture, and why catching thinning early matters.”
Dr. Shervin Naderi
Where can women be seen for thinning hair in the Washington DC area?
Dr. Snodgrass sees patients for thinning hair and performs PRP at both of our offices:
- Reston, VA: 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavilion II, Suite 551, Reston, VA 20190. (703) 481-0002. Convenient for McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Herndon and Arlington.
- Chevy Chase, MD: 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1655, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. (301) 222-2020. Convenient for Washington DC, Bethesda and Potomac.
Book a consultation or see the full details on our PRP for hair loss page.
Frequently asked questions
Is thinning hair in women common?
Yes. Many women notice thinning at some point, most often along the part or at the crown. It is a common reason women see a dermatologist.
Does PRP work for women’s hair loss?
PRP works best for women with early to moderate pattern thinning, where the follicles are still alive. It strengthens weak follicles and can thicken existing hair. It does not regrow hair where follicles are gone.
How many PRP sessions will I need?
Most patients need 4 to 6 sessions, typically done a month apart, followed by maintenance sessions based on how your hair responds.
Is PRP for hair painful?
We do not use numbing for PRP hair treatments. Most patients describe a series of quick pinches across the scalp, and the injections take only a few minutes.
Can PRP help hair shedding after pregnancy?
Shedding after pregnancy usually settles on its own within months. If the hair has not returned to its usual fullness, Dr. Snodgrass can check whether pattern thinning is also present and whether PRP would help.
Who performs PRP hair treatments at The Naderi Center?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass performs PRP for hair loss at our offices in Reston, VA and Chevy Chase, MD.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, November 2026.
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