LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY
Recent times have seen a major buzz about Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for hair loss. You may have noticed an increasing number of LLLT hair loss devices for sale like laser combs and caps.
Let us tell you if the hype is too good to be true or if it actually works.
Here are the facts you need to know about LLLT for hair loss and whether it could work for you:
What is LLLT?
LLLT is a modern non-invasive hair loss treatment that uses laser light to stimulate cell growth and activate the hair follicles. It improves the volume and overall density of hair which combats the active hair loss.
LLLT is an FDA approved hair loss treatment for both men and women with no side effects and no pain. It is mainly used to treat androgenetic alopecia or what’s often referred to as male or female pattern-baldness.
Androgenetic alopecia which is a hereditary condition is one of the most common causes of hair loss in both men and women. The condition causes hair follicles to shrink and become dormant, eventually ceasing hair growth all together.
LLLT can also be used to treat other forms of alopecia and hair loss that stems from causes such as chemotherapy or severe hair loss that may occur in women after pregnancy or menopause.
The efficacy of the treatment is enhanced when combined with Growth Factor Concentrate and peptide therapies available at PLAC.
How does LLLT Work?
The wavelength produced by the laser light in LLLT has a unique ability to be absorbed by the molecules of the hair follicles. On absorption it helps to shift hair follicles into the growth stage in multiple ways.
After penetration in the scalp, the light stimulates the cells responsible for the regeneration of the hair follicles, encouraging hair regrowth. It also works to increase the production of ATP and the metabolic process of the cells for faster hair growth.
The light acts to increase blood flow in the targeted region of the scalp, therefore increasing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, causing the hair to grow with greater length and diameter. This helps to produce thicker hair shafts and results in fuller looking hair overall.
What to Expect?
LLLT is incredibly effective at treating the thinner & weaker hair follicles. It has been shown to help make hair grow thicker, stronger, and healthier thereby notably improving the hair’s appearance and volume.
In the course of various studies, LLLT helped to slow down or even stop hair loss in 85% of patients undergoing treatment. Patients also saw new hair growth in 55% of the cases.
LLLT does not work in cases where baldness has existed for many years. It cannot induce hair growth on areas of the scalp where there’s no hair at all, as there are no hair follicles to stimulate. LLLT only works on active hair follicles and has no effect on hair follicles that are already dead.
For this reason, it’s ideal to start LLLT as soon as possible in order to achieve maximum hair restoration benefit. The best results occur when used in the first stages of hair loss or in cases of partial hair loss. Combining LLLT treatment with other therapies can also help to optimize results.
With more advanced stages of hair loss, the kind of results you can expect to obtain are limited. However, it may still help to slow or stop hair loss.
Once you start treatment, results typically first begin to appear after two months and continue to gradually improve over the following months. If treatment is interrupted, the hair loss will resume again over the course of several months and hair will gradually return to its initial state. LLLT works only as long as the treatment is continued.
A variety of methods can be used to administer LLLT. Therapies can be administered in an in-office setting via hoods or overhead panels.
Popular products include laser combs, which are devices that emit LLLT similar to a hair brush. Wearable devices such as various LLLT caps, bonnets, helmets, are also among the most common.
Not all such devices have received FDA clearance or undergone electrical safety testing hence it is best to consult your Dermatologist who specializes in hair restoration and hair loss treatments.
