Thinning hair can be unsettling, and it often raises a question that matters more than any single treatment: why is this happening? Hair loss has many causes, from genetics and hormones to thyroid disease, low iron, stress, and autoimmune conditions. For patients in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, a physician-led approach starts by finding that cause, then builds a plan that may include proven medications, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or both.
Because hair thinning is often a signal of something happening elsewhere in the body, Dr. David Nazarian begins where his training is strongest. His internal medicine residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital, a USC teaching affiliate, included subspecialty rotations at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center in hematology and rheumatology, giving him a practiced eye for the iron, thyroid, hormonal, and autoimmune causes of hair loss that are easy to miss. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association.
“Before I recommend any treatment for hair loss, I want to know why it is happening. Sometimes the most important finding is a thyroid problem or low iron, and treating that changes everything.” — Dr. Nazarian
What PRP Hair Restoration Is and What the Evidence Shows
PRP is prepared from a small sample of your own blood, which is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and the growth factors they carry. The concentrated plasma is then injected into areas of thinning on the scalp. PRP is prepared with FDA-cleared devices, but its use for hair loss is considered off-label, meaning it is not an FDA-approved indication.
Hair loss treatments fall into different evidence tiers, and understanding them helps set realistic expectations:
- FDA-Approved Medications: Topical minoxidil is approved for men and women, and oral finasteride is approved for men with pattern hair loss.
- FDA-Cleared Devices: Certain low-level laser devices are cleared for home use in pattern hair loss.
- Supported but Off-Label: Randomized trials and meta-analyses suggest PRP can modestly improve hair density in many patients with pattern hair loss, although results vary with preparation and schedule.
- Investigational Approaches: Exosome and stem cell-based hair treatments remain early in research, as explained on our exosome therapy page.
PRP tends to work best for early to moderate thinning where active follicles remain, and it usually requires maintenance sessions to sustain results. It does not restore hair in areas that are completely bald.
Common Causes of Hair Loss Dr. Nazarian Evaluates
Identifying the type of hair loss determines which treatments make sense. Common causes include:
- Pattern Hair Loss: Genetic and hormonal thinning, also called androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause in men and women.
- Telogen Effluvium: Diffuse shedding can follow illness, surgery, childbirth, rapid weight loss, or significant stress.
- Thyroid and Hormonal Changes: Underactive or overactive thyroid and hormonal shifts can thin hair across the scalp.
- Iron and Nutritional Deficiencies: Low iron stores and certain vitamin deficiencies are common and treatable contributors.
- Alopecia Areata: This autoimmune condition causes patchy loss, and FDA-approved oral medications now exist for severe cases.
- Scarring Alopecias: Inflammatory conditions that can permanently damage follicles need prompt dermatology care.
Many patients have more than one contributing factor. Addressing an underlying deficiency or hormonal issue can improve results from any treatment that follows, and some patients benefit from hormone evaluation as part of their workup.Common
IWhat to Expect During PRP Hair Treatment
Your first visit in Beverly Hills includes a medical history, a scalp examination, standardized photographs, and targeted laboratory blood work when appropriate. If PRP is a good fit, a typical session takes about an hour: a blood draw, about ten minutes of processing, and a series of small injections into the scalp.
Most treatment plans begin with a series of about three sessions spaced roughly a month apart, followed by periodic maintenance. Scalp tenderness, mild swelling, pinpoint bleeding, and a mild headache are common for a day or two. Progress is measured with follow-up photographs, and meaningful changes, when they occur, are usually visible after several months. PRP may not be appropriate for patients with platelet or bleeding disorders, those taking blood thinners, or anyone with an active scalp infection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Restoration
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PRP is prepared with FDA-cleared devices, but using it to treat hair loss is off-label. The FDA-approved medications for pattern hair loss are topical minoxidil and, for men, oral finasteride.
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Many studies show modest improvements in hair density for pattern hair loss, but results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. PRP works best with active follicles and usually needs maintenance sessions.
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Most plans start with about three sessions spaced roughly a month apart, followed by maintenance every several months based on your response.
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Changes develop gradually as hair cycles through its growth phases, so progress is typically assessed several months after the initial series using standardized photographs.
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Yes. PRP is often used alongside minoxidil or finasteride, and treating contributors such as low iron or thyroid disease can improve overall results. Some patients also ask about growth factor injections more broadly.
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Temporary scalp tenderness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, and headache are the most common. Infection is rare. Patients with bleeding disorders or who take blood thinners need individual review.
Why Choose Dr. Nazarian for Hair Restoration
- Cause-First Evaluation: Thyroid, iron, hormonal, and autoimmune contributors are checked before treatment.
- Evidence-Based Options: Proven medications and PRP are recommended based on your type of hair loss.
- Objective Tracking: Standardized photographs measure progress over time.
- Concierge Access: Unhurried visits and direct follow-up with your physician.
Schedule Your Hair Restoration Consultation in Beverly Hills
If you have noticed thinning or increased shedding, a medical evaluation is the most reliable first step toward the right treatment. Dr. Nazarian welcomes patients from Beverly Hills and throughout Los Angeles who want a thoughtful, physician-led approach to hair restoration.Schedule your consultation with Dr. David Nazarian today to discuss how our hair restoration and regenerative treatments can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
Medically reviewed by David Nazarian, MD on