Laser Hair Therapy is a non-chemical, non-invasive treatment that is being used around the U.S. for the treatment of hair loss.    Like other treatments (such as Propecia and Minoxidil), some patients tend to respond better than others.  In general, it seems that patients who 'have more hair' (perhaps in early stages of hair loss) tend to have better results.   Large-scale clinical trials have yet to be performed.    However, many men and women are seeing positive changes in their hair in response to these types of treatments.     In the wake of the positive performance of a hand-held laser therapy device in the Dateline-NBC investigation, NBC6-Miami interviewed several South Florida residents who have been using the laser therapy in-office “hood” treatments.     Click the video to watch the clip.   

The Low-down on Low Level Laser Therapy

There’s a new option in hair restoration that is painless and noninvasive. Medicine is beginning to see lasers in a very different light—low level light, that is...

But a new generation of lasers takes a very different—‘wound-less’—approach. To understand how LLLT works, you have to alter the way you view lasers. LLLT isn’t a light source that causes thermal, or heat, damage.

With LLLT, there is no cutting or burning sensation. The technology doesn’t even resemble the look of traditional lasers. Instead, LLLT is delivered by a device that contains panels of lasers that shine on the scalp.

Photo at Left: Dr. Bauman adminsistering a Sunetics “E-Type“ laser therapy treatment for paient (and staff member) Joan Spadafina-Phelps 

Men and women being treated for hair loss sit comfortably under the lasers as it gently delivers the phototherapy to the scalp. Most of our patients read a magazine during treatments. There is no pain or discomfort from the therapy--some patients do report some "scalp-tingling."

The visible red light from the hood’s lasers travels several layers into the tissue without harming the skin and scalp. Because the laser light does not cut or burn the skin, the therapeutic light-energy is absorbed by the cells and the process of cell repair begins. One theory of how this noninvasive, non-chemical hair loss treatment works is that it stimulates the production of energy at the cellular level; therefore, improving cell function.

It is believed that LLLT may increase blood flow to the treated area as well. European studies have shown that LLLT stops hair loss in 85% of cases and stimulates new hair growth in 55% of cases. While LLLT is no ‘miracle cure’ for hair loss, we have found similar results with our patients. In January of 2007 a hand-held laser therapy device was cleared by the FDA as a treatment for 'androgenetic alopecia' (male pattern hair loss). Low Level Lasers have been approved in this country as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, as a wound-healing aide, and as an adjunct to liposuction procedures. Laser therapy has been safely used for decades throughout Europe, the Far East and has no documented side effects.

Patients who have used the therapy have said that their hair looks and feels thicker, fuller and healthier and they have noticed improved hair growth. As mentioned previously, Laser Therapy is no 'miracle cure' for hair loss. For best results, a visit with a qualified hair restoration physician who can evaluate your condition, make treatment recommendations and evaluate your progress, is highly recommended. Dr. Bauman has observed that, regardless of the treatment regimen recommended, the highest degree of satisfaction is obtained when a patient's expectations are closely in-line with what the treatment can realistically provide.

One of the latest innovations in medical technology is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).

Low Level Lasers are referred to as "cold" lasers because they do not release energy in the form of heat. The light wavelength emitted from a low level laser actually will repair tissues that have impaired cellular metabolism by stimulating blood circulation, encouraging regeneration of normal healthy tissues.

During the 1960's and 1970's, researchers used low level lasers to evaluate their potential biostimulating effects on living tissues. More recently, LED's have been shown to have an effect on hair follicle cells that is similar to the effects of minoxidil.  An intersting study was presented at the ASLMS (American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery) in 2005.  Click here for the abstract. 

Laser light also appears to stimulate microcirculation, decrease inflammation, improve cellular metabolism and protein synthesis. Furthermore, European studies suggest that LLLT increases blood and lymph circulation at the hair roots and stimulates follicular cells, which may cause hair to grow in thicker and stronger.  Recent studies in the U.S. have shown positive effects on hair growth (including increases in hair density). More studies, evaluating the effectiveness of LLLT in the treatment of hair loss, are still underway. In January of 2007, the FDA granted clearance to the first hand-held low level laser device for the treatment of hair growth. In the FDA summary, the FDA noted that the low level laser device was capable of promoting hair growth in men with 'androgenetic alopecia' (male pattern hair loss.

Since 1999, Bauman Medical Group has had the opportunity to use a multitude of laser therapy devices for our hair restoration patients: the Laser Hair Care™ 4000, Laser Hair Care 6000 (also known as the ApiraScience's Revage670), Sunetics Inc.'s “Model E Array,” and several hand-held laser therapy devices.  Judging from our own patients’ results, LLLT seems to have had a noticeably positive effect on the quality of hair growth with both our surgical and nonsurgical patients. Many of our in-office treatment protocols have been instituted around the country and around the world by physicians using in-office laser therapy devices.

We have also applied LLLT as a healing accelerator for our post-operative surgical hair restoration patients and found this therapy to aid the healing process. In March of 2007 at the ISHRS Orlando Live Surgery Workshop, Dr. David Perez presented his pilot study on the use of laser therapy to accelerate wound-healing after hair transplantation. It was exciting to see the results he obtained.

At the 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (www.aslms.org), a preliminary report was presented on the positive effects of Phototherapy on the hair follicle, including hair growth.  This preliminary study also provided some insight into the mechanism of action of phototherapy and its effect on the cells of the hair follicle.   Click the “read more...“ link below for the summary of the presented paper.

Bauman Medical Group is a

January 2007:  Top hair restoration physicians publish a peer-reviewed 'consensus paper' on Low Level Laser Therapy in the treatment of hereditary hair loss in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy.
In the paper, the physicians conclude that while there is a lack of published scientific data on laser therapy and hair loss, as well as an incomplete understanding of the mechanism by which photobiomodulation stops or reverses hair loss, the majority of the phyisicians agree that laser/light devices are safe and mildly effective if used properly.   Laser therapy may not be effective in all patients, however, the majority of physician-authors believe that there has been a positive impact in most of their hereditary hair loss patients who have used laser therapy as a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment...
Dowload a .pdf copy of the scientific paper here to read it in its entirety

The current role of laser/light sources in the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss, Marc A. Avram, Robert T. Leonard, Edwin S. Epstien, Joseph L. Williams and Alan J. Bauman, Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, Volume 9, Issue 1 2007, pages 27-28.

Pekka J. Pontinen, PhD, MD, a professor and researcher at the Dept. of Physiology at Kuopio University in Finland, performed several experiments on the effects of various light sources (Low Level Laser Therapy diodes and LEDs) and their effects on skin.   Dr. Pontinen is a prominent expert and author of one of the original texbooks on LLLT, 'Low Level Laser Therapy As A Medical Treatment Modality.' (Art Urpo, LTD 1992).   His research on scalp blood flow after exposure to low level laser therapy led to many of the theories regarding the influence of light energy (LED and LLLT) on skin microcirculation.     He concluded that “visible red monochromatic laser light (670nm) induces a temporary increase in skin blood flow with radiant exposures between 0.12 and 0.36 J/cm2.“   Download his peer-reviewed published scientific paper here. 

Pontinen, PJ; et.al.  Comparative effects of exposure to different light sources (He-Ne laser, InGaAl Diode laser, non-coherent LED) on skin blood flow of the head, Int J Acupuncture & Electro-therapeutics Research 1996 21(105-118).