Hair Loss Treatment in Walnut Creek

A Work-Up Before Any Treatment

Accelerated hair loss is sometimes a sign of something else — a thyroid that is under- or over-active, a shift in sex hormones. Treating the hair without looking for that is treating the symptom. So the first visit is a consultation with a physician, and if your history or your scalp suggests it, blood tests. If the tests find a cause, we treat the cause first. If they do not, we start on the hair with a clear conscience.

What I Use

These are the treatments I work with. Which ones, and in what combination, depends on the work-up, on how long you have been losing hair, and on what you are willing to do.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) — applied to the scalp with microneedling, injected into the scalp, or both. Your own blood, spun to concentrate the platelets, returned to the scalp.
• Finasteride — a prescription tablet for men, and for some women.
• Minoxidil — topical or oral, by prescription where needed.
• Vitamins — taken by mouth.
• Red light therapy — in the office.
• Microneedling — on its own or as the way PRP is delivered.
• For women: topical progesterone.
• Further topical options I use in selected cases: melatonin, and bimatoprost.

Prescriptions are filled at your pharmacy. The in-office treatments are priced below.

What the Research Shows About PRP

PRP for hair loss has been studied in randomized trials for over a decade, and the pooled results point the same way: more hairs per square centimetre, and thicker ones, than placebo. A 2023 analysis of eleven randomized trials found PRP injections increased hair count, thickness and density, with side effects that were minor and short-lived [1]. A larger review of twenty-nine studies, 864 people, put the gain at about 46 hairs per square centimetre from baseline and about 32 against controls, with benefit in 27 of the 29 studies [2]. In women specifically, a 2024 analysis pooling twenty-one studies, 628 people, found substantially higher density than controls [3].

Two findings shape how I use it. PRP added to minoxidil did better than minoxidil alone in five randomized trials [4], so I usually combine them rather than choose. And when PRP was delivered by microneedling and by injection in the same trial, both worked, and the microneedling route did better on several measures [5] — which is why I offer it applied, injected, or both.

The honest caveat: one careful placebo-controlled trial found the saline side of the scalp improved too, with no significant difference from the PRP side [6]. Preparations, doses and schedules vary between studies, and some of the benefit may belong to the needling itself. So I describe PRP as an addition to minoxidil and finasteride, not a replacement, and I do not promise it will work for you. For about one in five people it does not work well enough to continue, and I say so.

I go through these studies one by one in Does PRP Work for Hair Loss?

What a Plan Looks Like

Three sessions, a month apart. At three months we judge the change against the photographs from your first visit. If there is improvement, we keep it with one session every six to twelve months. If there is not enough improvement to justify continuing, I will tell you, and we stop — that is about one in five people. Medication, where it is part of your plan, continues throughout.

Aftercare for the microneedling sessions is on its own page: Scalp Microneedling Aftercare Instructions.

Prices

Prices are per session. Each session takes about an hour.

• PRP applied with microneedling: $750
• PRP injected into the scalp: $750
• PRP applied with microneedling and injected: $1,250
• Three sessions, a month apart: 20% off — $1,800, or $3,000 with both applied and injected.
• Three sessions plus two maintenance sessions at six and twelve months: 25% off all five — $2,812.50, or $4,687.50 with both applied and injected.

Maintenance sessions outside a package are at the single-session price.

The consultation is $150, waived if you proceed with treatment.

Prices current as of September 2026.

Is It Right for You?

I treat men and women whose hair loss has accelerated — noticeably more shedding, or thinning you can see, over months rather than years. PRP uses your own blood, so reactions to it are rare; expect a tender scalp and pinpoint bleeding for a day or two. It is not the right choice for everyone. If I think a surgical hair transplant is the way to go, I will refer you to a surgeon rather than sell you a series of sessions.

Disorders like thyroid disease or lupus make it unlikely you’ll have good results, because both conditions will continue to cause hair loss over time — although appropriate treatment of such conditions increases the chance of a better response and a longer-lasting effect. Blood thinners make your platelets ineffective, so be sure to tell your practitioner if you need to be on blood thinners.

Why Am I Losing Hair?

A predetermined genetic pattern is responsible for our phases of hair growth and loss. At any given time each of our individual hair follicles is in one of four stages: Anagen- The Follicle Growth Phase, Apoptosis- The Follicle Death Phase, Telogen- The Resting Phase, Exogen- New Hair Regrowth phase

Anagen- The Follicle Growth Phase

This is the actual growing phase of our hair, and it lasts from 2-7 years. The anagen phase determines the length of our hair.

Catagen/Apoptosis- Follicle Renewal

Lasting for about ten days the catagen stage is when the individual follicles shrink and then detach from the scalp. This is when the hair falls out and the hair follicle begins a cycle of renewing itself to grow a new strand of hair.

Telogen- The Resting Phase

This is the phase when a follicle area can rest and prepare to rejuvenate. Telogen lasts around three months. It’s estimated that 10-15 percent of hair follicles are in this phase at any given time.

Exogen- New Hair Regrowth phase

An extension of the resting phase when the old hair sheds and new hair follicles continue to grow.

There are dozens of reasons that this process can be slowed or interrupted, the most common being hormone loss and genetics. Nearly half of men in their 50’s begin to show a significant decline in the normal hair growth process. Many women are also prone to hair loss. By age 70 most women will experience some hair loss from the depletion of hormones and the breakdown of the hair growth process.

Red Light Therapy

Since 1967 scientists have known that the correct wavelength of light can stimulate hair growth. Wavelengths between 630-670 nm can aid in the treatment of unwanted hair loss.

How Does Red Light Treatment Work?

An intracellular enzyme called Cytochrome C stimulates the hair follicle when it’s exposed to red light. It’s this enzyme that actually absorbs the light and is responsible for the effectiveness of Red Light Treatment. Stimulation of follicles by the light has been shown to slow the Apoptosis Phase or follicle death phase. It can also improve the health of hair that does grow by increasing the blood supply and flow of nutrients to the area.

How long does it take to show results?

You should see improvement within 2-3 months.

Will Red Light Therapy cause unwanted hair growth?

This treatment can only grow hair in places that already have follicles. It’s all about isolating the right areas.

Hair Loss Treatment Questions

References

1. Papakonstantinou M et al. Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2023.
2. Morkuzu S et al. Use of Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma (A-PRP) on Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2023.
3. Yuan J et al. Effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in treating female hair loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Skin Research and Technology, 2024.
4. Yao J et al. The additive value of platelet-rich plasma to topical Minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS One, 2024.
5. Ozcan KN et al. Platelet Rich Plasma Application by Dermapen Microneedling and Intradermal Point-by-Point Injection Methods, and Their Comparison With Clinical Findings and Trichoscan in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia. Dermatologic Therapy, 2022.
6. Shapiro J et al. Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma as A treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia: A randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2020.