Low Level Laser Therapy – What You Need to Know
Low level laser hair therapy utilizes infra-red laser beams for treating different health conditions like hair loss. Also known as low level light therapy, soft laser and several other names, LLLT is a pain-free procedure that can be done in a short period of time. It works by decreasing inflammation and increasing local blood flow, leading to the stimulation of hair growth. Approved by the FDA, it has strong scientific evidence behind it as an effective and safe hair regrowth method.
LLLT and Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia)
LLLT treats a particular type of baldness called androgeneic alopecia or simply female or male-pattern baldness. This is a genetic or hereditary condition that is responsible for most hair loss cases involving both sexes. It is present in about 75{330f214df237fc2abc96aea099ffbe24c43e06db08036644267acddb2f21482d} of females over 65 and in around half of males older than 40.
Androgenetic alopecia is caused by a gene that increases a person’s sensitivity to the dihydrotestoserone (DHT) androgenic hormone, which builds up in the roots of hair follicles. This sensitivity often leads to a reduction in the size of hair follicles until they become completely dormant and hair ceases to grow.
How LLLT Works on Baldness
There are three stages of hair growth – anagen, the actual growth stage; catagen, the transition phase during which hair follicles shrink; and telogen, when hair follicles become dormant until hair falls off. LLLT corrects baldness by bringing hair follicles back to the anagen growth phase, a process involving the creation of a wavelength – about 630 to 670 nanometers – that can penetrate through hair follicle molecules. This light can stimulate epidermal stem cells that are involved in the regeneration of hair follicles. Because LLLT increases blood flow, it also makes oxygen and nutrients more accessible to hair follicles. Finally, LLLT boosts metabolic processes that are involved in hair growth and helps control DHT buildup in the follicles.
Devices and Duration of Treatment
Experts recommend LLLT twice or thrice a week, whether at a salon or at home, with each session lasting 8-10 minutes. Significant results are usually seen after the second or third month of successive treatments.
If you’re searching for a solution to hair loss, you will find lots of treatments out there that unfortunately don’t work or aren’t proven to work. Some treatments may actually be effective, except that they tend to have a lot of negative side effects. If you just want something that will make your hair grow back without exposing yourself to a myriad of health risks, consider low level laser therapy.
Of course, where you get your LLLT treatment plays a big part in your final results. A bit of homework can make a tremendous difference.