| It may seem strange to hear about a laser | | | | Many current LLLT devices operate using |
| being used for hair regrowth, but this type | | | | visible red light at a wavelength of 660nm |
| of treatment has been around for some time | | | | which can penetrate down to a depth of about |
| and was discovered accidentally by a | | | | 8-10mm. Higher wavelength lasers at 800-900nm |
| scientist testing the effects laser radiation | | | | are also used these can penetrate to a depth |
| on mice. It was in 1967 soon after the first | | | | of about 30-40mm but these are mainly used |
| working laser was invented that Dr Endre | | | | for treating joints and muscle related |
| Mester at Semmelweis, university in Hungary | | | | problems. More recent LLLT laser hair |
| was carrying our research to see if laser | | | | regrowth studies have started to reveal the |
| radiation cased cancer in mice. No cancers | | | | reasons why and how laser light therapy helps |
| were found, but what surprised him was that | | | | stimulate hair regrowth. These studies have |
| hair grew back much more quickly on a shaved | | | | shown that laser light increases the levels |
| test area of the mice than on the mice in an | | | | of a chemical compound called adenosine |
| untreated group. This effect called low level | | | | triphosphate (ATP) which is known to |
| laser therapy (LLLT) also known as laser | | | | stimulate living cells including the hair |
| biostimulation, photobiomodulation and cold | | | | follicles. LLLT also has the effect of |
| laser therapy is now used for the treatment | | | | increasing the circulation of blood to the |
| of hair regrowth. Possibly due to the then | | | | hair root which delivers the nutrients to |
| high cost of laser technology, very little | | | | cells that make up the hair follicle. The |
| research was carried out over the two decades | | | | increased blood flow is also thought to help |
| after the first experiments were conducted. | | | | flush away the damaging waste products that |
| During the 1980s LLLT started becoming | | | | may affect the hair growth cycle. This helps |
| available as an expensive treatment through a | | | | to improve the scalp environment to help stop |
| number of exclusive hair clinics. The lasers | | | | thinning hair and promote new hair growth. |
| used were large complicated fixed devices | | | | Over the last few years laser technology has |
| where patients had to sit under a hood | | | | advanced to a stage where a laser devices can |
| similar to a salon hair dryer. Treatments | | | | now be manufactured to a size smaller than |
| were performed as frequently as 2-3 times per | | | | your small finger nail and at very low cost. |
| week, this was often inconvenient for | | | | In 2000 a company developed and patented the |
| individuals who might have to travel many | | | | first miniature LLLT laser hair regrowth |
| miles to the nearest clinic or salon. However | | | | device using the new laser technology. This |
| the results achieved were very good and soon, | | | | made possible for the first time an effective |
| many salons all over the Europe, Asia and | | | | LLLT hair loss treatment that was cheap and |
| later in the US began offering treatments. | | | | small enough be used in your own home without |
| This laser hair regrowth treatment has now | | | | having to go to an expensive hair clinic. The |
| been backed up as an effective hair loss | | | | new device comes in the form of a hair comb |
| treatment by many scientific studies. In 1982 | | | | brush that needs only be used for 10-15 |
| Trelles, M., and Mayayo, E, published "The | | | | minutes three times per week. The |
| Growth of Hair Under Laser Influence of the | | | | manufacturers claim that while users |
| HE-NE Beam". In this study, patients with | | | | experience will vary, 45% of users will see |
| alopecia areata responded with positive | | | | positive results after 8 weeks of treatment |
| results after only 6 to 8 twice weekly | | | | with another 45% seeing benefits from 10-16 |
| treatments. Later studies in the 1990's | | | | weeks onward. In February 2007 the U.S. Food |
| tested lasers working at different | | | | & Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the |
| wavelengths and pulsing the laser to find the | | | | laser comb device for use in the treatment of |
| most effective laser configuration for | | | | hair regrowth. The laser comb is now one of |
| treating hair loss. Most therapeutic lasers | | | | only three treatments cleared by the FDA for |
| now operate at a wavelength in the range | | | | use in hair regrowth the others being |
| 600-1000nm where the wavelength is related to | | | | Finasteride and Minoxidil. The laser hair |
| how far the light penetrates the scalp. The | | | | regrowth device now brings new hope to the |
| best wavelength to use is still argued over | | | | many men and women suffering from premature |
| but it should be sufficient to penetrate at | | | | hair loss. |
| least 5-6mm depth to target the hair bulbs. | | | | |