Does Laser Therapy for Thinning Hair Work?

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair growth. This non-invasive treatment can be helpful in the early stages of hair loss in men and women.

By enhancing the cellular activity in the scalp, the wavelengths in the near-infrared spectrum may promote renewed hair growth. The effectiveness of LLLT can depend on the extent of the condition and how well you adhere to the treatment schedule. 

Here we will look at the specifics of LLLT and whether it can work for thinning hair. We will also explore how Hairy Hair may help with your hair loss.

What is LLLT?

LLLT induces biological action at the cellular level by means of low-power lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In the context of hair growth, it makes dormant hair follicles grow and thus increases the growth of hair and reduces thinning.

It can be done through a range of devices, from laser combs to helmets and caps, so it can be done at home or in a clinic. The treatment penetrates the skin to target the mitochondria in the hair follicle cells. This can boost their energy production to improve hair follicle function.

It can also increase blood flow to the scalp to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Inflammation may be reduced to foster an environment of a healthy scalp for hair growth, and resting follicles can be induced to re-enter the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle.

What LLLT devices can be used for thinning hair?

LLLT can be delivered using laser combs, which have diodes embedded in the teeth of the comb. It can work well for the targeted treatment of thinning areas but necessitates more manual effort compared to other devices. 

If you’re experiencing diffuse thinning across the scalp, laser helmets and caps are available for hands-free, even application. Be careful to look out for the difference between laser diode devices versus LED devices.

For use at home, LED-based devices will be at the lower end of the price scale because they deliver low-intensity light but may not be as efficient as laser-based systems.

Clinical-grade office-based machines that your dermatologist or trichologist would employ are very strong systems that could be more useful if your balding has advanced past the first stages.

What are the advantages of LLLT?

LLLT can actually be very effective for those with receding or balding hair as it does not involve incisions and carries no downtime with the patient, unlike surgery. LLLT is approved by comprehensive panels of medicine boards, for example, the FDA, and because it is really easy to implement, it can be taken wherever one goes through its portability.

Denser, thicker hair can be induced to grow in patients with hair loss in its early or mild stages. It is safe to use because the low-level lasers cannot generate heat and therefore avoid causing damage to the skin.

LLLT can be appropriate for those suffering from: 

• Androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), 
• Telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss caused by illness or stress)
• General thinning that has not reached complete baldness

What are the disadvantages of LLLT?

Side effects are rare, yet patients can experience some minimal responses to treatment. One of such responses is mild scaling of the scalp owing to heightened scalp blood flow. Shedding upon initial treatment, whereby new hair develops in the place of the old one, and headaches owing to prolonged use of LLLT devices are also expected.

LLLT may not be effective for advanced cases of hair loss as it is unable to completely revive inactive or scarred follicles. Long-term and consistent application is required to see results. Sessions usually last between 15-30 minutes and are repeated 3-4 times a week.

The frequency of treatment means either investing in a high-quality at-home device or paying for regular clinical sessions. With clinical-grade devices, the frequency of sessions can decrease over time as your body adjusts to the treatment. 

What are the differences in LLLT devices?

Helmets and caps usually have a high diode count to ensure that the scalp is fully covered for diffuse thinning. Combs or other handheld devices have fewer diodes as they are used for more targeted treatment areas. In comparison, clinical-grade devices have a very high number of diodes in professional treatments.

Similarly, with power output, caps and helmets are at a high range, while combs and handheld devices have a lower MW range. Clinical devices use the maximum amount of power for intensive treatment.

Treatment in a clinic can be beneficial for covering both large areas and targeting precise spots under the supervision of a trained technician. This is why clinical treatments may be better if you are past the early stages of hair loss but haven’t reached baldness yet.

How can Hairy Hair help me with my hair loss?

LLLT could be an optimal solution for activating hair growth in individuals with hair thinning. However, it may not, on its own, be strong enough to prevent further hair loss or to promote hair growth maximally.

The effectiveness of LLLT can be greatly supplemented when used in conjunction with other treatments that render a more favourable environment for hair growth.

Including other support components in your LLLT protocol may be more beneficial, particularly in the beginning stages of treatment.

Hairy Hair offers a specialised daily supplement that helps fight a range of hair loss problems.

This supplement is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitor. DHT is a hormone that leads to hair follicle contraction, eventually halting hair growth. By inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT, this supplement might stimulate hair growth from dormant follicles.

Moreover, it is a vasodilator, which opens up the blood vessels in the scalp, allowing for increased oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles. When follicles receive adequate nutrients, they are more likely to grow strong and healthy hair strands that are less likely to break.

The formula is also supplemented with natural ingredients that have the ability to support keratin synthesis, the major protein employed in hair strand formation. It contains a natural DHT blocker and contains anti-inflammatory agents that provide a healthy scalp environment conducive to development.

By taking a single daily supplement, you can properly treat a variety of hair loss issues with an integrated treatment process, therefore being more likely to encourage hair growth than relying solely on one type of medication.

Laser therapy for thinning hair and alternative treatments

LLLT represents a non-invasive treatment option that may appeal to individuals facing hair loss who want to try a device-based approach. Its generally low risk of adverse effects allows for easy incorporation into daily life.

Although more studies are needed to establish LLLT’s effectiveness and appropriateness for extensive thinning, early accounts from studies suggest that it could influence hair loss positively for people in the early or slight stages of losing their hair.

Maintaining normal hair growth needs a balance of necessary nutrients as well as suitable conditions, which may not be fully achieved through LLLT alone. An integrative treatment that considers multiple causative mechanisms of hair loss can potentially greatly reduce hair shedding as well as strengthen new hair growth to be more resistant to future loss.

If you’re experiencing hair loss and are keen to act now, we encourage you to contact Hairy Hair today. Beginning your treatment is simple; just fill in a fast online questionnaire detailing your hair loss issues. One of our skilled Australian GPs will then ring you to go over a tailored treatment plan and answer any queries you may have.

Your script will be mailed right to your home, which means no need for in-clinic appointments. Our caring team will be here to guide you on your way to potentially growing back your hair and boosting your confidence.