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By Dr. Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS Board-Certified Hair Restoration Physician
Laser therapy has been shedding light on hair loss since the 1990’s, but today, it’s a key weapon in the hair restoration physician’s arsenal.
Providing energy to hair follicles, getting them to grow a thicker, healthier hair has gotten easier and more efficient with the advent of more powerful, more convenient, cordless and rechargeable FDA-cleared devices. Many of today’s top practitioners rely on drug-free laser therapy with or without other treatments to provide optimum hair regrowth for both male and female patients.
How Laser Therapy for Hair Growth Works
With FDA clearances and strong clinical evidence to support its efficacy as a hair loss treatment, today low-level lasers have become an important tool for those seeking to restore their locks. But how exactly do these lasers help you fight hair loss?
Laser therapy for hair growth utilizes wavelengths of light in the “visible red” part of the spectrum which have a biological effect on cells. It is known that wavelengths of light produced by the diodes of the lasers are associated with an increase in energy production (ATP) within the cells, which may be a primary mechanism for helping a follicle to grow better hair by producing thicker, longer, healthier looking hair strands. Since their discovery in the 1960s, low-level lasers have been proven to be an effective drug-free and side effect-free way to help heal wounds, relieve pain, increase circulation, and decrease inflammation.
Are You a Good Candidate for Laser Therapy?
For those with hair loss or hair thinning, keep in mind, these may be influenced by many factors including heredity, medications, illness, stress, nutrition, lifestyle, etc., and left untreated only gets worse with time. Because so many factors can influence one’s hair loss status, it is essential to undergo a thorough medical consultation with a specialist before initiating any hair restoration regimen. Baseline evaluations, tracking measurements and standardized medical photos are critical to provide an objective measurement of your progress.
Breakthrough Laser Devices
One of the oldest myths about hair loss is that it can be caused by wearing a baseball hat, thankfully, most people are aware that this simply isn’t the case, but the newest breakthrough in laser therapy is actually proving the opposite can be true.
LaserCap was the original and first hair growth device to offer the power and coverage of a clinical laser therapy unit in a 100% cordless, rechargeable, hands-free, discreet treatment device that literally ‘fits under your favorite baseball hat.’ Up to 40x the power of comb, brush or band-lasers, laser therapy cap devices are also infinitely easier to use. Walk, jog, bike, drive or sit. LaserCap is a non-chemical, non-invasive, pain-free hair growth treatment that can be applied anytime you can wear a hat or scarf. LaserCap is recommended 30 minutes every other day for best results.
New devices, like the physician-only CapillusRX Laser Therapy Cap is an FDA-cleared hair regrowth device that provides both men and women with a safe, effective and easy-to-use drug-free hair loss treatment at home or on the go. With 312 diodes – the most diodes of any FDA-cleared personal wearable laser device – the CapillusRx provides maximum power and coverage. Just 6 minutes daily means the quickest treatment time of ANY device available. Flexible and comfortable, the CapillusRx is also convenient, portable and discreet. The long-lasting, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and hands-free operation give you the freedom to go about your daily routine while receiving this painless, drug-free, side-effect-free treatment for hair loss and hair thinning.
Benefits of Laser Therapy
Consistent use of low-level laser therapy treats hair loss, hair thinning and has been proven to improve the appearance of hair quality, hair strength and hair thickness in addition to promoting hair growth. Clinical studies have shown a 51% increase in terminal (healthy) hair counts on subjects when compared to those using placebo devices. There has never been a reported side effect of low-level laser therapy since its use began in the 1960s. Since laser devices are durable and long lasting with proper care, a good-quality LaserCap or CapillusRX may be your least costly treatment over time.
Laser Therapy’s Limitations
Laser therapy, like other non-invasive hair growth treatments, is not a “miracle cure,” but it can be an important treatment for damaged hair, thinning hair and hair loss. While low-level laser therapy does facilitate hair growth, it is important to understand that it doesn’t regrow hair that is already dead and gone, which is why early detection and intervention is essential for optimal results. Laser therapy can jumpstart areas where the hair is thinning and can also be effective for hair growth when used in combination with other medical treatments like compounded topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, platelet-rich plasma plus stem cell injections, prostaglandin analogs, nutritional supplements and hair transplant surgery, either with SmartGraft FUE or the ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant System.
As with any hair growth treatment, early results are subtle and full, final results take time. To track your progress and stay consistent with the treatment, Dr. Bauman recommends getting a baseline hair measurements with HairCheck before starting laser therapy so you can know what areas are receiving a benefit and how much improvement is occuring.
The good news is that with the right diagnosis, scientific measurements, dosing regimens and clinical follow-ups, the vast majority of hair loss patients can be helped by low-level laser therapy.
For more information on what kind of results you might achieve with laser therapy or how laser therapy can be added to your ‘multi-therapy’ hair restoration regimen, please visit www.baumanmedical.com or call 844-GET-HAIR or (561) 394-0024.
About Low Level Laser Therapy
- Several in-office and at-home low-level laser therapy devices have been FDA-cleared for the treatment for hair loss.
- Low-level laser therapy improves hair growth by reversing the miniaturization of hair by improving blood flow and increasing energy production at the follicle.
- Low-level laser therapy increases mitochondrial membrane potential at the cellular level through a process called photobiomodulation.
- Laser therapy is a drug-free, chemical-free, side effect-free, non-invasive treatment option for hair thinning for both men and women.
- Consistent use of low-level laser therapy treats hair loss, hair thinning and has been proven to improve the appearance of hair quality, hair strength and hair thickness in addition to promoting hair growth.
- Clinical studies have shown a 51% increase in terminal (healthy) hair counts on subjects when compared to those using placebo devices.
- There has never been a reported side effect of low-level laser therapy since its use began in the 1960s.
- Beware of non-physician dispensed or “consumer” devices, which may be less expensive but contain significantly less diodes and therefore less power.
BAUMAN HAIR RESTORATION
(561) 948-6157
www.BumanMedical.com