Low-level laser therapy, also known as LLLT, red light laser treatment, or biostimulation, is an effective therapy for pattern hair loss in men & women. LLLT can also rejuvenate aging skin & reduce inflammation on the scalp & follicles.
However, it must be noted that LLLT only works when used regularly. Weekly or semi-weekly treatments are needed to sustain results.
Scalp Rejuvenation
LLLT is a non-invasive treatment that reduces hair loss, stimulates hair growth, and helps improve scalp health. It penetrates the scalp, increasing blood flow and enhancing protein synthesis for thicker, healthier-looking hair.
The laser light stimulates stem cells in the dermal papilla – a specialized area at the base of the hair follicle. This results in the slowing or reversing miniaturization, a significant driver of thinning and hair loss. In addition, LLLT or low level laser therapy for hair loss promotes cellular proliferation and anagen phase re-entry in telogen follicles.
It also improves dry, flaky scalp (a telltale sign of dehydration) & helps restore lost volume, boosting confidence in men and women with thinning hair and baldness. It can be used as a standalone or combined with other hair regrowth treatments and procedures.
The best LLLT for hair loss is delivered by an in-clinic device with one specific wavelength, called an actual laser. Home-use LLLT devices often have multiple wavelengths and wattages that aren’t as effective. Unlike LED or light emission diodes, accurate lasers have a single, precise wavelength with a very high coherence. Consequently, they deliver a stronger signal to the scalp and are much more potent than home-use LT. In-clinic LLLT sessions are typically once a week, compared to three times weekly for home LLLT. This allows the optimal dose of energy to be delivered to the scalp.
Hair Growth
Laser hair therapy, also known as LED, red light therapy, soft laser, or photobiostimulation, encourages your body’s natural production of cellular energy to help boost follicle activity and promote growth. The treatment is safe & proven to be effective in preventing hair loss, with research suggesting that hair counts can increase by up to 39%. It can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with medical & surgical therapy, including anti-androgens, PRP & follicular unit extraction (FUE).
Unlike traditional laser treatments with heat, red and near-infrared light does not cause thermal damage to tissues or cells. Instead, the light is absorbed by molecules within the cell. It is converted to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) & then cyclic AMP, which stimulates the metabolic processes required for healthy hair growth.
LLLT is often marketed as a natural alternative to prescription medications for hair loss. However, the scientific evidence behind these claims is limited. LLLT is not tested under the exact strict requirements as medicines to determine efficacy, safety & long-term effectiveness. For this reason, discussing your hair loss concerns with a Specialist is essential to deciding if laser therapy is right for you.
Hair Loss Prevention
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has become an internationally recognized, effective, non-invasive treatment for men & women suffering from pattern hair loss. A recent FDA-approved procedure, LLLT is a short, pain-free session that uses low-power laser light to combat thinning hair & encourage natural growth.
LLLT works by stimulating the cells of the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles to grow hair & reduce or prevent further thinning. It also increases the conversion of vellus hairs to terminal hairs & reduces the number of miniaturized follicles, thus promoting density.
Hair restoration specialists increasingly recommend LLLT as an adjunctive treatment to minoxidil lotion & finasteride for patients suffering from pattern hair loss and androgenetic alopecia in both males & females. It has also been shown to affect chemotherapy-induced alopecia & in alopecia areata positively.
The effectiveness of LLLT can be improved by combining it with PRP (platelet-rich plasma). PRP is a concentrated mix of blood platelets containing growth factors, cytokines & chemokines that are injected into the area of hair loss to promote regeneration & speed up healing.
LT is performed using LEDs or light-emitting diodes that produce a range of wavelengths. Various LED devices are available to be used at home, including hand-held “comb” or “brush” style lasers & larger cap-based devices. LLLT is typically performed at home for 30 minutes 3 times per week, while in-clinic treatments are conducted once or twice a week using more powerful 1927 thulium or 1550 erbium lasers.
Hair Loss Treatment
For patients with thinning hair &/or hair loss, low-level laser therapy is an alternative to drugs & hair transplantation. It is a safe form of light/heat treatment that can stimulate the hair follicles to increase their growth rate. Research has shown that LLLT can increase the follicular count by up to 39%. It is also used as a preventative treatment to help keep the existing hair from thinning & falling out. It is best used in conjunction with medical & surgical treatment such as anti-androgens, PRP & follicular unit extraction.
The results are usually noticed in about 12 to 24 weeks. Unlike other treatments, LLLT is a non-invasive, drug-free & painless procedure. It is a modern, perfectly safe way to deal with the genetic form of hair loss known as androgenetic alopecia or pattern balding.
Choosing a practitioner with a reputable reputation, who is experienced in performing the procedure, and who uses high-quality laser hair restoration devices is essential. You should always wear eye protection as LT does emit heat in the form of long-wave UVA and short-wave UVB radiation, which can cause sunburn. It is also not advisable to use LT for patients with cancerous tumors or any skin disease. Similarly, it is not safe to perform this procedure while you are pregnant.
