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Low-level laser therapy for hair loss: Everything you need to know

March 15, 2024
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Hair loss is not uncommon and can be triggered by a variety of factors, ranging from genetics, stress and childbirth, to menopause or as a side effect to some medications. It can be temporary or permanent, occur gradually or very suddenly, and can affect specific areas of your body, such as your scalp or beard, or your whole body.

Men are typically the most affected, and the most common hair disorder is male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia. This occurs increasingly with age; 16% of men aged 18-29 will experience this, compared to 53% of men aged 40-49. Up to 50% of women by age 70 can also experience androgenetic alopecia, commonly after childbirth or during menopause. [1]

One relatively new and effective treatment for hair loss is low level laser therapy. While light treatment and specifically blue light is often used to tackle acne or laser is used for some types of rosacea, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in particular, has been clinically proven to deliver significant improvements.

What is low‐level laser therapy?

Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) uses low-power red and infrared light lasers to stimulate cell function and increase hair regrowth [2]. It was first discovered in 1967, following a successful study which showed accelerated hair regrowth on mice after exposure to a low power laser.

It can be used on its own, or combined with other treatments, such as lotions, gel, tablets or injections, and has been proven to be effective in both men and women. Additionally, it can be used in at-home devices like combs, helmets and caps.

Helmets are often a popular choice as they are more convenient to use. You can wear them while watching TV, cooking or working at home. Combs typically are more cost-effective but require you to comb your hair thoroughly for approximately 15 minutes each time you use it, which can be time consuming.

It’s an ideal treatment for patients looking for non-invasive options. It is also safe for undergoing during pregnancy.

low‐level laser therapy helmet

At-home devices can typically be used for six to 10 minutes a day, and some results can be seen in approximately 6 months.

What happens during a LLLT treatment?

If you’re using a comb for your LLLT treatment, as previously mentioned, you will need to comb your hair for 15 minutes each time in order to ensure maximum efficacy. A LLLT hair loss helmet on the other hand can be worn for about 5-7  minutes at a time.

How long does it take to see results?

Following an LLLT treatment, results can be seen in as little as five months, and treatment can take place daily with an at-home cap. There are some clinics that offer the treatment in clinic, however as the treatment needs to be undertaken frequently, helmets are preferable for patients.

LLLT can also be effective for patients suffering with dandruff and itchy scalps. [5]

How long do results last?

LLLT has proven success for hair regrowth androgenetic alopecia with repetitive treatment over a period of six months. Once a patient stops receiving treatment, hair loss will typically return to its initial state. The longer you use LLLT, the better the results will be and maintain.

Not all treatments for hair thinning are effective for everyone. A small percentage of patients may not see improvement after six months, and if so, should change and explore other hair loss treatments available.

Are there any side effects?

Side effects are very minimal and rare, with few reported across clinical studies.

For a small amount of patients, side effects can include acne, dryness, headaches and itchiness. [6]

What’s the downtime after a low‐level laser therapy treatment?

LLLT treatments are very safe, painless and don’t cause any damage to your hair or scalp. They can take as little as 15 minutes to complete and there is no downtime.

How much does it cost?

 LLLT  devices for hair loss cost approximately between £200 and £1,500.

At the Dr Anastasia Therianou clinic, we can offer a discount on the treatment cost, exclusively for patients undergoing LLLT.

If you would like to discuss this treatment option further, or you want to see what other treatments are available, you can contact Dr Anastasia ‘s Therianou dermatology clinic:

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Sources:
1,3,4,6.Nestor MS, Ablon G, Gade A, Han H, Fischer DL. Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, compliance, financial considerations, and ethics. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Dec;20(12):3759-3781. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14537. Epub 2021 Nov 6. PMID: 34741573; PMCID: PMC9298335.
2. Pillai JK, Mysore V. Role of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) in Androgenetic Alopecia. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2021 Oct-Dec;14(4):385-391. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_218_20. PMID: 35283601; PMCID: PMC8906269.
5. Qiu J, Yi Y, Jiang L, Miao Y, Jia J, Zou J, Hu Z. Efficacy assessment for low-level laser therapy in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a real-world study on 1383 patients. Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Aug;37(6):2589-2594. doi: 10.1007/s10103-022-03520-4. Epub 2022 Feb 8. Erratum in: Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Mar 23;: PMID: 35133519; PMCID: PMC9343305.
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