You’ve probably heard of laser hair removal, but did you know that laser treatments can also help when it comes to hair loss? Treatment devices such as the Revage 670 and LaserCap and Capillus and iGrow help stimulate the activity of hair follicles, leading to improved hair growth.
Of course, not all types of laser light therapy for hair growth are created equally. Some of the versions you might see for home use such as the laser comb, are generally much weaker than other devices such as the LaserCap and Capillus, and the devices you’ll encounter in a doctor’s office. If you’re concerned about hair loss, learn more about laser therapy to see if it’s the best option for you.
What It Does
Laser light therapy for hair growth is a bit different than other hair restoration options out there, both in terms of the way it works and the effect it has on your hair. The treatment doesn’t seems to cause new hair to grow. Instead, it’s been shown to stop the progression of hair loss and to help existing hair grow more thickly.
The treatment uses low-level, red light lasers. Unlike other laser treatments, the “cold laser” energy in the hair restoration treatment doesn’t damage the skin or cause side effects. People feel no pain or discomfort during treatments.
How It Works
During laser light therapy, a patient sits underneath a cap or hood that has 10 to 50 laser diodes on it. The diodes deliver the energy directly to the patient’s scalp. The energy from the lasers is sufficient enough to spur the mitochondria in the cells and to improve blood flow to the scalp. The increased circulation helps improve the health of the scalp and the existing hair follicles, often leading to improved hair growth.
Who It’s For
Laser light therapy works best in patients who still have some hair. It can be used on both male and female patients. Women with hair loss might see particular benefit from laser treatments, as they are more likely to have areas of diffuse thinning rather than bald patches on their scalp. Also patients with shedding seem to do well.
What’s Involved in Treatment
While patients can choose to use laser light therapy at home, many decide to receive in-office treatments with the Revage 670. Treatment with the Revage 670 helped stop hair loss in up to 85 percent of patients and improved hair density in 40 percent of patients over the course of 16 weeks.
Results from the therapy aren’t instant. You will need to go in for several phases of treatment over the course of several months for best results. During the first phase, which lasts 12 weeks, you’ll receive either one 40-minute treatment a week, or two 20-30 minute treatments. If done at home, patients are usually advised to use the laser for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week.
In the second phase, you receive a single treatment weekly for 12 weeks. In the third phase, you go in every other week for treatment for a total of 24 weeks. The final phase is designed as a maintenance phase.
Laser vs. Hair Restoration
Some patients are completely satisfied with the results of their laser treatment and don’t need additional therapies or surgery to improve their hair loss. But, in the course of treatment with laser light, it might be discovered that a patient is better suited for hair restoration surgery. For example, a patient might have a significant amount of hair loss, which can’t be corrected with laser treatment.
In some cases, a patient might have both hair transplant surgery and laser light therapy. Since the laser treatment is designed to stimulate blood flow and encourage hair growth, it can be used after hair restoration to help the transplanted hairs grow back more thickly and fully. It may also help speed up healing. atients interested in exploring both treatments should discuss their options with a surgeon.
Diet for Hair Regrowth
You are what you eat, and a healthy diet can help improve your chances of hair growth while receiving laser light therapy. Try to add foods to your diet that promote hair growth and health, such as oysters (which are high in zinc), eggs (which are a good source of protein and iron), and salmon (high in omega-3’s, which the body needs to grow hair). Leafy greens, berries, and nuts are also great foods to add to your diet to promote hair growth.
If thinning hair is a concern to you, Dr. Jeffrey Epstein can diagnose the cause of your hair loss and help you choose the treatment that’s most appropriate for you, whether you are a man or woman. For an appointment in the New York office, contact Dr. Epstein at (212) 759-3484. To schedule a consultation in Miami, call the office at (305) 666-1774.