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