Low-Level Laser Therapy for Hair Growth : What You Should Know

Did you know that more than 50% of men and 40% of women will experience pattern hair loss by the age of fifty?

Every day, almost everyone experiences hair loss. However, you don’t need to worry since shedding hair is completely normal. An average person sheds 50-100 strands of hair when taking a shower or brushing their hair.

Although hair shedding is normal, it is alarming when it gets excessive. A lack of nutrients, stress and aging can contribute to hair loss. LLLT therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy, can help you grow back your hair faster than any other type of hair loss treatment.

What is Low-Level Laser Therapy?

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a new invention for solving the problem of hair loss. The method involves no medication or surgery and is an easy way to grow your hair back.

LLLT does not cause any side effects. It also helps treat genetic hair loss. This therapy also includes light therapy and soft laser therapy, including placing your scalp under the infrared-emitting laser diodes.

This hair loss treatment is famous in the United States for restoring hair quality and texture. For years, lasers have been used to help grow hair, making it a trusted method.

Laser therapy is used not only to grow hair but also to remove it. LLLT is recommended for those suffering from alopecia. It is estimated that 80 million people in the US suffer from hair loss problems, making LLLT a viable option for them. The result of the therapy is that the crown and hairline are consistently covered in hair.

LLLT does not always require you to see a physician. Salons provide laser therapy, either by professionals or at home. People taking LLLT should undergo two or three therapy sessions each week for eight to fifteen minutes of exposure of the scalp to the diode under a cap, comb, or brush. A massage following the therapy can increase blood flow to the scalp and open pores, ensuring that the hair grows healthy and strong. Therapy can last for a year with frequent sessions.

Although LLLT works almost always, it isn’t guaranteed for all people, as everyone reacts differently to light therapy.

While some therapists do not recommend this therapy, others believe it can also help hair transplants. The results of some studies have been satisfactory and successful. For successful hair growth, the wavelength, pulse rate, frequency of exposure, and duration of the session are all important factors. In case you are interested, here’s a review of hair transplant photos to check!

The Science Behind Low-Level Laser Therapy For Hair Growth

A testosterone derivative called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) contributes to hair loss. Low-Level Laser Therapy encourages hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. It increases metabolism in follicles that are in the catagen (shedding phase) and telogen (resting phase). As a result, the hair grows as well as the quality of hair also restores.

The light photons affect the cytochrome C oxidase, which produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It is then converted to AMP in the follicle cells, stimulating the energy and metabolism needed for hair growth. The therapy prevents the unbalanced growth of DHT. By discharging nitric acid, the cells increase the vascularization of the scalp, which delivers nutrients and oxygen to the roots.

This may sound a bit too technical. In other words, the laser’s heat triggers the heat shock protein of the scalp. The light from the laser increases the oxygen level of the scalp, increases the blood flow of the scalp, generates acute inflammation in the scalp tissues, it inhibits 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme that breaks down testosterone into DHT.

Benefits of Low-Level Therapy

Safe to use

Safety is the primary concern of everyone. The National Institute of Health first tested this therapy on mice. As the laser era began in the 1960s, laser therapy has been used to treat many conditions. LLLT is therefore safe and effective, and both men and women can undergo it.

Involves no pain

Through the use of light absorbed by the targeted tissues, LLLT works to reduce inflammation, repair tissues, increase blood flow, and restore healthy tissue. It does not use a light source. Hence, it does not result in any burning or cutting.

Due to the fact that there are no side effects and the therapy is painless, it would be expensive. It isn’t true! It is cheaper than other types of laser therapy, so you need not worry about how much you would need to spend.

Quick treatment time

A few minutes is all it takes to undergo this therapy. So you do not have to think that it is a waste of time since it consumes less time and provides satisfactory results.

Some LLLT devices are portable, so you can take them anywhere you go. If you are traveling, you can take these devices with you and use them while away from home. There’s no need to sit in a room and do therapy.

Who Can Safely Go Through The Therapy?

This therapy is safe and effective for both men and women who suffer from balding patterns and hair loss.

We recommend users be over 18 to avoid the occurrence of major side effects and skin damage since the cells are not fully developed until 18 years old.

Men with Norwood Hamilton classifications IIA to V and women with Ludwig (Savin) I-4, II-1, II-2, or frontal patterns of hair loss and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I to IV are ideal candidates for this treatment.

Can One DIY LLLT at Home with Laser Hair Growth Caps?

In 2010, the iGrow helmet was introduced, and in 2012 the first FDA 501k approval was given for men. It finally got clearance for both men and women in 2014. The helmet provides 51 light-emitting diodes and full scalp coverage.

In the first six months, for satisfactory results, you must use laser hair growth helmets for around 20-25 minutes every day. After that, they can be used twice or thrice every week.

Men and women with moderate hair loss can benefit from laser hair caps. It might not work for people with severe hair loss, so they should consult a specialist. It also works for hair growth in women who have undergone chemotherapy. Since its launch, iGrow has sold over 250,000 units globally. Also, it has received medical clearance in countries such as Korea, China, Brazil, and Canada.

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Another great hair growth cap is from Kierr. The Kiierr laser hair growth cap is a powerful, cutting-edge low-level laser device for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) along with male and female pattern baldness. The 272 independent laser diodes are contained in a sealed unit that is powered by a lithium battery.

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The unit is inserted into the black cap that we provide or any hat or cap that you choose. A battery charger is included. Kiierr laser technology is backed by clinical trials and cleared by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss. Laser hair growth treatment is a revolutionary new option for those who suffer from alopecia or (hair loss based on genetics).

The Kiierr technology is completely portable, and you can grow hair inconspicuously anywhere at any time: at home, at work, driving, running errands for just 30 minutes every other day.

Why are laser caps or helmets recommended?

Laser caps are more affordable and portable for growing hair and are easy to use. They work on the science of LLLT. The best part about having a laser cap is you can use it any time you want. If you are free and you do not know what to do, get your laser cap, put it on, and leave it on for some time.

Painless and safe, laser caps are a great choice for users. Depending on your needs, you can choose between LEDs and lasers. LED laser caps are less preferred since they don’t target tissues, and they spread light widely. Moreover, they are not as powerful as lasers.

In general, LED caps are less expensive than laser caps. If you’re looking for safe and reliable results, laser caps are your best bet. A laser cap treatment is cheaper and works as efficiently as any other in-room laser therapy, giving you the best results, and you could administer the treatment on your own. Traveling is easy with this device since it’s so portable.

What You Should Know Before Opting For LLLT

The therapy is said to be effective. But scientists and doctors have not found an accurate wavelength where this therapy can be effective to all who undergo it, leaving some of the population unsatisfied with the results.

To determine how long you will need to undergo the treatment, you should get as much information about the therapy and your hair loss problem, so you can determine the issue.

This therapy will not have any negative side effects to worry about because if it is a success, you will have consistent hair growth, and if not, there will be no hair loss. There is no in-between in the therapy, making it safe.

Since lasers target specific issues, the therapy is painless, and you don’t have to worry about using a painful tool or device to grow your hair back.

After the treatment, it takes around 26 weeks to get satisfactory results, and aftercare is necessary. Since the technology is new, there is still more to learn about it. As of yet, it is not known whether the results are long-term or not. Although LLLT has a few cons, it is an effective and acclaimed therapy if you have severe hair loss.

If you want to check out some great and effective laser hair growth caps, check out the below post to find the perfect one for your hair:

7 Awesome Laser Hair Growth Caps that Regrow Your Hair Healthily

Sources:

• https://dermnetnz.org/topics/low-dose-laser-therapy-for-hair-loss
• https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.148925