Hair loss treatment in NYC starts, in my office, with one question: why is this happening? Hair loss has many causes, and the right plan depends on finding yours. Treating the wrong cause wastes time, and with hair, time matters.

Thinning hair is common and it is emotional. Female pattern hair loss affects up to 42% of women, and it becomes more common with age [1]. At menopause, many women notice a wider part or a hairline that starts to recede [2]. If that is you, you are not imagining it, and you are not alone.

The most common types of hair loss I see

• Shedding (telogen effluvium). Hair falls out in larger amounts a few months after a stressor such as illness, surgery, childbirth or a major life event. It usually stops on its own, and fullness tends to return over about 6 to 9 months [3].
• Pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Gradual thinning, often at the part or crown in women. It is genetic and hormone-related, and it tends to progress without treatment [1].
• Alopecia areata. Round, smooth patches of hair loss caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles [4].

Many women have more than one type at the same time, such as shedding on top of slow pattern thinning. Thyroid problems and low iron can also play a role [4].

How I find the cause

Your visit starts with your story: when the loss began, what changed in your life or health in the months before, your medications, diet, hair care habits and family history. Then I look closely at your scalp, often with a dermatoscope, a magnifying tool that shows the follicles and hair shafts [4]. Sometimes I order blood tests to check thyroid function and iron and vitamin levels, and occasionally a small scalp biopsy is needed [4].

Treatment options

Once we know the cause, we can build a plan. Most plans combine at-home care with one or more in-office treatments.

Minoxidil. Minoxidil is an FDA-approved over-the-counter treatment for pattern hair loss. In a trial of 404 women, 5% minoxidil foam used once daily added an average of 9.1 hairs per square centimeter more than the foam without medicine after 24 weeks [5]. It takes 4 to 6 months to see whether it is working, and you need to keep using it to keep the results [7][8]. It is not meant for sudden, patchy or postpartum hair loss [7].

Prescription medicine. For some women, a prescription pill such as spironolactone can be added [6].

Growth factor injections. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from a small sample of your own blood and injected into the scalp. The AAD lists PRP among the treatments dermatologists may use for hair loss [6].

Fotona laser hair restoration. A series of in-office laser treatments to the scalp, which I often combine with growth factor injections.

Cortisone injections. For patchy alopecia areata in adults, corticosteroid injections into the bald spots are considered the most effective treatment when there are only a few patches. They are given every 4 to 6 weeks, and when they work, regrowth usually starts within about 3 months [4].

Scalp care at home. I developed my Rapid Hair Growth Serum, with biomimetic peptides and red clover extract, to support scalp health, and it can be used alongside minoxidil. The Hair Regrowth Kit pairs it with a shampoo and conditioner, and you can see everything in my hair collection. These are supports, not substitutes, for a medical plan.

Supplements. Supplements can help when testing shows a deficiency. I do not generally recommend biotin unless testing shows a deficiency, because taking extra biotin has not been shown to help when levels are normal [6].

The whole-person part

Your hair often reflects your overall health. Sleep, stress, restrictive diets, low protein and hormonal changes may affect the scalp months later. I fight for every hair on your head and offer many treatment options, and the best plan begins with an accurate diagnosis, then combines the right therapies with consistency and patience.

For more of my thinking, read don't focus on hair loss, focus on hair growth and the science of hair care. If your hair changes started around menopause, see my page on menopause skin.

Frequently asked questions

Is my hair loss permanent?

It depends on the cause. Shedding after a stressor usually stops on its own and hair tends to fill back in over 6 to 9 months [3]. Pattern hair loss tends to progress without treatment, which is why starting early matters [1].

How long does hair loss treatment take to work?

Hair grows slowly, so most treatments take months. With minoxidil, it takes 4 to 6 months to see whether it is working [7][8].

Does minoxidil work for women?

Minoxidil is FDA-approved for women with pattern hair loss. In a 24-week trial of 404 women, 5% foam once daily improved hair counts compared with foam without medicine [5]. You need to keep using it to maintain results [6].

What causes sudden hair shedding?

Heavy shedding usually shows up a few months after a stressor such as childbirth, surgery, an illness with high fever, losing 20 pounds or more, or a period of intense stress. It usually stops on its own once your body readjusts [3].

Do hair supplements help?

They can help when testing shows a deficiency. I generally reserve biotin for documented deficiency because taking extra biotin has not been shown to help when levels are normal [6].

When should I see a dermatologist about hair loss?

See a board-certified dermatologist as soon as you notice a change. Treatment depends on the cause, and earlier treatment tends to give better results [2].

About the author

Doris Day, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Newsweek, with Statista, consistently named her #3 on America's Best Cosmetic Dermatologists. She serves on the American Academy of Dermatology Nominating Committee (2025–present) and she advises major skin care and aesthetic companies on products and devices.

Medically reviewed by Doris Day, MD, FAAD on October 10, 2026. Last updated October 10, 2026.

Day Dermatology & Aesthetics 10 East 70th Street, Suite 1C, New York, NY 10021 (212) 772-0740

Sources

1. Kanti V, et al. Evidence-based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men, short version. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32:11-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14624
2. American Academy of Dermatology. Caring for your skin in menopause (hair loss section). https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause
3. American Academy of Dermatology. Hair shedding. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/shedding
4. American Academy of Dermatology. Alopecia areata: diagnosis and treatment. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/alopecia/treatment
5. Bergfeld W, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(7):874-881. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27391639/
6. American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: diagnosis and treatment. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/diagnosis-treat
7. DailyMed. Minoxidil topical foam 5% for women, drug facts label. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=82d7a480-46b2-423b-8da0-a4fc252f7747
8. DailyMed. Minoxidil topical solution 2% for women (Good Sense Hair Regrowth Treatment, L. Perrigo Company), drug facts label. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=b1bf381e-8f13-4a7e-a2f6-ba750d4d67e7