Did you know that up to 70 percent of men and 40 percent of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives? That’s right, hair loss is one of the most common cosmetic conditions and the proliferation of hair loss therapy solutions is hardly surprising.Among this assortment of hair loss therapies, low level laser hair therapy is probably the most effective treatment for onset hair loss.This guide will answer common questions on laser hair therapy.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
In Western medicine, red therapy is known in many terms including low level laser therapy (LLLT), low level laser hair therapy (for hair loss), cold therapy, low intensity light therapy, photobiostimulation, photobiomodulation among other terms.
Red light is visible light that can penetrate the skin up to 8mm to 10mm deep. In therapy, red light is used at wavelengths of between 620nm and 700 nm, while at-home devices typically come with red light wavelengths in the range of 630nm and 660nm.
You may hear claims that some types of red light wavelengths are more effective than others but in reality, the entire range of visible red light wavelength has its own benefits. Indeed, most LLLT laser therapy devices us two or more wavelength ranges as opposed to just one particular wavelength.
Once the red light is absorbed into the skin, it is synthesized into cellular energy, which stimulates the body’s cells through a natural process. This synthesizing and stimulation process results into several healing processes including:
- Increased lymphatic activity
- Higher blood circulation
- Increased collagen production
- Increased product of cellular energy
- Stimulation of tissue granulation
- Reduction of pain and inflammation
- Increased cell cleansing
To be sure, there is no difference between red LED therapy and simply red light therapy.
LED light just uses laser, fluorescent and incandescent light but it also offers additional benefits including:
- LED devices are light and portable
- Little heat is being generated
- Environmentally friendly
- Long lasting
What is Low level Laser Therapy?
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) entails the use of visible red light directed to the skin to repair damaged cells and stimulate tissue growth.
LLLT hair therapy has become an increasingly popular method for treating common hair loss condition such as alopecia. The red light penetrates several skin layers non-intrusively and painlessly to trigger the process of cell repair and growth. The light stimulates the production of cellular energy, which then improves cell function.
LLLT also helps to improve blood flow and circulation to the treated area, facilitating the growth of thicker, luscious hair on previously bald spots on the head.
Other benefits of low level laser therapy include minimization of inflammation, stimulation of microcirculation and improvement of cellular metabolism. In particular, LLLT hair therapy works to boost lymph and blood circulation at the hair root, in turn allowing growth or regrowth of thicker and stronger hair.
Application of Laser Therapy for Hair Loss
Administration of laser hair therapy can be done at home with FDA-approved LLLT laser therapy devices or in specialized clinics and salons by trained professionals.
LLLT laser therapy devices can be handheld, wearable or tabletop. These devices are more convenient than making trips to the clinic or salon.
It is advisable to treat your scalp two to three times a week, with exposure times not lasting more than 5 minutes. For best results, you want to administer light therapy regularly on the affected area for about one year. Even then, you should start to see results in two to three months.
Use of massages and application of scalp creams containing antioxidant elements has been proven to improve laser hair therapy results.
Tips for Buying an LLLT Laser Therapy Device
The market is flooded with numerous laser therapy devices; it could take you forever to choose one that meets your needs. So what should you look for in LLLT devices?
Coverage on treatment areas
LLLT devices come as tabletop, wearable or handheld devices. You want a device that delivers consistent red light exposure throughout the treatment area and wearable devices are a great bet.
Treatment dosage
The recommended dosage for LLLT hair therapy is 3 to 4 joules of red light energy. Compared to tabletop and handheld devices, wearable devices have a wider footprint and produce adequate amounts of energy required for treatment.
Battery-powered v. Electrical
While battery-powered devices offer the convenience of portability, they may not provide adequate wattage required for effective treatment of hair loss. Electric, plug-in devices are a better choice given their higher currents, which stimulate hair follicles faster and within a shorter period.
Laser or LED?
When it comes to LED and laser, there is no difference between either of these devices in terms of the red light or wavelengths they produce—both devices can be used for administration of laser hair therapy. However, laser devices emit more pointed light beams and work well when treating smaller areas. However, LED devices, which are more common in the market, are excellent for treating larger areas such as the scalp.
FDA approved
For safety purposes, go for an LLLT device that is FDA approved and whose functioning is backed by clinical research. Standards such as ISO approval serve as additional marks of quality and safety too. It is also a good idea to choose a device manufactured by a well-known company, just for purposes of reliability.
Low Level Laser Therapy and Cost
The cost of low level laser therapy will vary based on several factors.
First, using an LLLT device is much cheaper in the long term than going to the clinic or salon on a weekly basis. Second, the more extensive your hair loss is, the longer your treatment period will be and therefore the more you may need to spend on treatment.
In fact, extensive hair loss may require the intervention of a certified laser hair therapy practitioner for best results. Third, additional hair and scalp treatments may also add to the overall cost of LLLT hair growth therapy.
Conclusion
In summary, laser therapy for hair loss is a safe procedure with no known side effects but it certainly isn’t a miracle treatment. The need for consistency and proper application of red light wavelengths on the treatment area cannot be overemphasized. If done right, give the treatment a reasonable amount of time to deliver the voluminous and strong hair regrowth you are rightfully anticipating.