Laser Hair Restoration
by Paul
One hair loss remedy that is often discussed along with other hair loss prevention treatments is laser hair restoration. Laser hair restoration is a form of non-surgical hair restoration that is meant to stop hair loss and promote hair growth. Laser hair restoration can be used to treat hair loss in women or hair loss in men.
Are Laser Hair Treatments Effective?
There is some debate about the effectiveness of laser hair therapy. Some, including hair restoration doctors, believe it is a beneficial tool that can be effective in the treatment of hair loss. While others don’t believe there is enough evidence to prove this is an effective tool for hair loss prevention.
Most people who notice results from laser light hair therapy are those who use it in combination with other hair loss prevention products like minoxidil (Rogaine or Provillus), Propecia or to help improve healing after hair transplant surgery. Unlike Propecia, which has only been approved for men, laser hair restoration can be used as a male or female hair loss treatment.
How Does Laser Hair Restoration Work?
Laser light therapy works on the principal of photo-biostimulation. The laser delivers light energy to the hair follicle which increases circulation and blood flow within the treated scalp. The theory is that this increased circulation will revitalize follicles that are still active to promote hair growth and strengthening of the hair. Blood flow helps provide the follicle with important nutrients while it also allows the cells to dispose of any waste products.
Laser hair therapy is meant to stimulate hair follicles that are functioning at a lower level, producing thinner hair. It won’t work on follicles that are “dead” and no longer capable of producing or growing new hair.
Types of Laser Hair Therapy
There are two main types of laser laser therapy for hair loss — in office therapy or at home therapy. There are hair restoration clinics that specialize in laser hair treatments. During this type of hair loss treatment the patient sits under a dome-shaped device that is lined with low level lasers — low level laser therapy for hair is a type of laser therapy that doesn’t break the skin. Instead the laser energy is absorbed by the skin where it helps to stimulate the blood supply in the deeper tissues of the scalp.
The patient usually comes in regularly for a set period of time, and in most cases the laser hair restoration treatment includes the use of other products like Rogaine along with the laser hair loss therapy. Unfortunately these treatments can be quite expensive and from what I have studied the results seem to be mixed.
Laser Comb
The other type is home laser hair therapy with the use of a laser comb. The laser comb was approved by the FDA as a medical device to treat hair loss, but as mentioned before there is a great deal of debate as to the effectiveness of this type of hair loss prevention tool.
This is often recommended along with the use of other therapies like Rogaine or Propecia. It is also sometimes recommended after hair restoration surgery, like a FUE hair transplant. Because it increases circulation it can aid in the healing process of the newly placed hair implants.
The LaserComb is generally used three or more times a week for 10-15 minutes on areas where there is noticeable hair thinning. There are a few brands on the market, most cost around $500; the first one was the Hair Max Laser Comb.
Some people have experienced a noticeable difference using laser hair restoration, but unfortunately there is still a good deal of debate around this method of hair loss prevention.