Hair Loss in Women Toronto: Causes and Your Options

Hair loss in women in Toronto has many possible causes, including genetics and hormones, childbirth, major stress, iron deficiency and some medications. Your first step is your family doctor or a dermatologist, to find the cause. After that, some women add clinic options such as PRP scalp sessions ($400 per session at SSKN Firm), where results vary and a series is usually needed.

Most people bring this up quietly. Often it comes at the very end of an appointment for something else, almost as an afterthought.

A wider part. A smaller ponytail. More hair in the drain after a shower than there used to be. If that’s you, you’re far from alone, and it’s worth having it looked at properly instead of guessing.

What causes hair loss in women?

The Canadian Dermatology Association lists several types and causes. These are the ones we hear about most in our rooms on Bloor:

• Female pattern hair loss. Thinning on the top or crown of the scalp, linked to genetics and hormones. The CDA notes that about 40% of women show some thinning by age 50.
• Shedding after a big physical or emotional strain. Childbirth, major surgery and other stress can trigger hair loss.
• Underlying health conditions. Iron deficiency and lupus are two the CDA names.
• Hormonal changes and certain medications.
• Alopecia areata. Round bald patches, caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles.
• Scarring alopecias. Hair loss caused by scarring of the follicles. These need a diagnosis, often with a small skin sample, and care from a dermatologist.

Those causes are very different from each other, so the right next step is different too. That’s why we don’t start with a treatment, and why the next part of this post is about your doctor, not us.

Where to start with hair loss in women in Toronto

Book with your family doctor first. We know it can feel slow. It’s still the right order.

Your doctor can ask about your health history, check things like iron, look over your medications and refer you to a dermatologist if needed. Here in Ontario, a doctor’s visit is generally covered by OHIP, so cost shouldn’t be what holds you back from that first appointment.

Please don’t wait if your loss is patchy, your scalp is sore or itchy, or it’s happening fast. Prescription treatments for hair loss are a conversation for your doctor or dermatologist, and they need monitoring.

Once you know what’s going on, and if your doctor is fine with it, a clinic like ours can talk with you about extra options. We’re nurse-led, at 2310 Bloor St W near Runnymede station. If something isn’t a good fit for you, we’ll always say so.

Does PRP help thinning hair?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses a small sample of your own blood. We spin it to separate the plasma, then apply it to the scalp with fine injections. We use numbing for comfort.

Some people try PRP when their hair looks thinner. Whether it helps depends on the person.

We’d rather be straight with you here. PRP isn’t a regrowth treatment. Change, if you see it, tends to be gradual and modest, and it usually needs the full series. Results vary from person to person, and we’ll talk that through at your consult.

What a PRP scalp plan looks like

1. Consult. We go over your goals and health history, and whether PRP suits you at all.
2. Blood draw. A small sample, like a routine blood test. Eat a proper meal beforehand so you’re less likely to feel light-headed.
3. Prepare. Your sample is spun to separate the platelet-rich plasma.
4. Treat. It’s applied to the scalp. The visit takes about 60 minutes, so plan for that if you’re coming on a lunch break.
5. Repeat. Most clients book a series of three, about four weeks apart, with check-ins between.

How much does PRP for hair cost in Toronto?

At SSKN Firm, PRP hair restoration is $400 per session before HST, or $1,050 for a package of three. Those prices match our booking page exactly. You’ll find the full details on our PRP page.

Some clients also ask about Acorn secretome. It banks your own cells to create a personalized secretome for future treatments, which makes it a different approach altogether. We explain how the two compare in PRP vs Acorn secretome for hair loss in Toronto.

Who it suits, and who should wait

PRP may suit women who’ve already seen their doctor, are comfortable using their own plasma, and are fine with slow, modest change over a few months.

It isn’t the right fit if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, take blood thinners, have a blood or platelet disorder, or have an active infection or flare on the scalp. Some other health conditions rule it out too. And if a doctor hasn’t looked at your hair loss yet, we’ll kindly ask you to start there.

Now the side effects. The common ones are bruising where the blood was drawn, plus swelling, redness and tenderness on the scalp for a day or two. Some people feel light-headed during the draw.

Rarely, infection can happen. Call us at 416 537 3333 if you notice increasing redness, warmth, pus or a fever. Your nurse reviews all risks at your consult, and you’re welcome to ask as many questions as you need.

Small things that help while you sort it out

These won’t fix the cause. They can make your hair feel a little easier to live with, though.

Be gentle when it’s wet. Skip very tight ponytails and buns. Go easy on high heat. And if a Toronto winter, with all that indoor heating, leaves your scalp dry and flaky, mention it to your doctor or pharmacist so it gets looked at properly too.

If you’d like to meet the nurses first, they’re on our team page. We also offer microneedling with PRP for the face, if you’re thinking about your skin as well.

Hair loss questions

What is the most common type of hair loss in women?

Female pattern hair loss is common. It shows as thinning on the top or crown of the scalp. Your doctor or a dermatologist can confirm what type you have.

Should I see a doctor before a clinic treatment?

Yes. Your family doctor can look for causes such as iron deficiency, medications or other health conditions, and refer you to a dermatologist if needed. In Ontario, that visit is generally covered by OHIP.

Does PRP regrow hair?

PRP isn’t a regrowth treatment. Some people try it when their hair looks thinner. Results vary, and a series is usually needed.

How much is PRP for hair at SSKN Firm?

PRP hair restoration is $400 per session before HST, or $1,050 for a package of three.

How many PRP sessions will I need?

Most clients book a series of three, about four weeks apart. Your nurse will suggest a plan at your consult.

When you’re ready to talk it through, book online or call 416 537 3333. We’re near Runnymede station and easy to reach from The Junction, High Park, Etobicoke and the rest of the GTA. Your $50 deposit is credited to your appointment.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your nurse will recommend what is right for you at your consultation.