1. How does laser hair therapy work?
Laser hair therapy applies low level laser light from medical-grade lasers to a person’s scalp. The hair follicles in the scalp absorb the light energy. This allows hair to grow where it had once stopped growing by increasing microcirculation. In turn, blood supply and nutrients to the hair follicles in the area increase. At the same time, it also reduces hair loss.
Hair loss occurs for many reasons, stress, poor nutrition, age, wound healing, and heredity. Additionally, medical conditions such as male pattern hair loss, female pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, alopecia chemotherapy-induced alopecia, diabetes, and lupus can cause significant hair loss. For these reasons, research into laser hair therapy has become increasingly common.
Some people with hair loss issues opt to try laser hair therapy because it is a non-invasive and painless process. However, the fact that it is both expensive, time-consuming, and not yet proven to be effective can be major deterrents.
2. Is laser hair therapy a permanent hair loss treatment?
While scientific research to date has shown evidence that laser hair therapy is a safe and effective method of stimulating hair growth, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these results. Therefore, at this time, it is impossible to say if laser hair therapy can permanently treat hair loss.
Still, the studies that exist so far are promising and make a strong case for further research. For example, a 2014 review of research into laser hair therapy found it to be effective for certain kinds of hair loss. Another 2016 review reported that numerous moderate and high-quality studies improved male pattern baldness.
More recently, a 2018 review looked at 11 studies involving laser hair therapy to stimulate hair growth. Ten of those studies showed significant improvement. Furthermore, one study had statistically significant results.
Finally, a scientific review from 2020 that included 10 randomized controlled studies found laser hair therapy to have statistically significant results for improving hair loss in both men and women.
3. Does LLLT have side effects?
Studies over the past 50 years show a “remarkably low incidence of adverse effects” of LLLT. Most people do not experience side effects. However, if they do occur, they are typically non-serious and temporary.
A 2004 study on the use of the HairMax LaserComb, a form of LLLT, found the only side effect in humans was the temporary onset of telogen effluvium (TE), a condition that causes temporary hair loss stemming from excessive shedding. After continued use of the LaserComb, the TE went away.
One other potential side effect of LLLT may be the stimulated growth of malignant or dysplastic scalp lesions, according to a 2009 study.
References:
Avci, P. et al. (2014). Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) for Treatment of Hair Loss. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944668/
Zarei, M. et al. (2016). Low level laser therapy and hair regrowth: an evidence-based review. Lasers in Medical Science. Retreived from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10103-015-1818-2
Darwin, E. et al. (2018). Low-level laser therapy for the treatment of androgenic alopecia: a review. Lasers in Medical Science. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29270707/
Egger, A. et al. (2020). Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature. Skin Appendage Disorders. Retrieved from: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/509001
Satino, J.L. & Markou, M. (2004). Hair Regrowth and Increased Hair Tensile Strength Using the HairMax LaserComb for Low-Level Laser Therapy. International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology. Retrieved from: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/153082003769591209
Frigo, L. et al. (2009). The effect of low-level laser irradiation (In-Ga-Al-AsP – 660 nm) on melanoma in vitro and in vivo. BMC Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2784797/
Jess Lakritz 