Your hair loss may have several causes – including hormonal imbalances, stress, chemotherapy, heredity factors, nutritional deficiencies, PCOS, menopause, and the use of certain medications. But, fortunately, solutions like laser treatment for hair growth are gaining popularity worldwide. How does this treatment work? How effective is it in the long run?
This article explores the benefits of laser treatment, its reviews, costs, and limitations. We also discuss who can benefit the most from this treatment and how to go about it. Continue reading to know more.
What Is Laser Hair Treatment?
Laser hair treatmenthair growth
How Does Laser Treatment Work For Hair Growth?
The low-level laser irradiates photons into the scalp tissue. These photons get absorbed by the hair follicles, stimulating blood circulation. Increased blood circulation leads to increased nutrient supply to the hair follicles and increased cellular activity. This results in thicker and stronger hair follicles, boosting hair density or the number of hairs on the scalp.
The initial laser created to eliminate hair follicles was invented by Theodore H. Maiman on July 7, 1960.
A study by American scientists found that laser treatment for 16 weeks showed 39% hair growth in men between the ages of 18-48 with male pattern baldness (2).
A 2019 review confirms that low-level laser hair therapy is an effective hair loss treatment for men and women (3). Another review supports that low-level laser treatment is a good option for men and women with androgenic alopecia who do not want to undergo surgery or use medical therapy (4).
A study conducted on 910 patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia (AGA) analyzed if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) would help improve their condition. The therapy continued for 38 weeks for those with mild AGA (455) and 40 weeks for those with moderate to severe AGA (455). After completion of the therapy, 51.9% of the former and 57.4% of the latter had moderate effect while 27.7% with mild AGA and 20% with moderate to severe AGA had significant effect.
Steven, a YouTuber, shared his experience of using low-level laser therapy. His hair was shedding rapidly and he shaved his head. After using the therapy for 18 months, the hair follicles grew back. He said in his video, “When I first started losing my hair, I was shedding a lot. Once I started using low-level laser therapy that seemed to slow down considerably (i).”
There are many reasons laser hair therapy is considered good. Find out the benefits in the following section.
Benefits Of Laser Treatment
- Effective and safe
- Non-invasive
- Painless
- No localized scarring
- No recovery time
- Improves hair restoration
- No side effects
- At-home use devices are convenient.
Here are a few laser hair growth reviews with before and after pictures.
Laser Hair Growth Reviews
- Here, the laser therapy device used is the iRestore Pro. The picture shows how the hair has grown after using the device for over 6 months.
ImageYoutube
- Here’s another before and after picture. The device used is Laser Cap Pro. The device looks like a baseball cap with laser diodes on the inside. However, the user also took Rogaine and used coconut oil and castor oil, along with laser therapy, to support hair growth.
Image: Youtube
- Apart from the laser caps and at-home use devices, you can also go to a clinic and get LLLT treatment. Here’s a before and after picture of LLLT treatment for about a year.
Image: Youtube
Note: Whether you use an at-home device or go to a professional treatment center, you must consult your doctor.
You might notice redness and swelling resembling a mild sunburn after undergoing a laser treatment. Using a cool compress may provide some comfort in such a case.
The question now is if laser treatment for hair fall is too expensive. To know the answer, scroll down!
What Is The Cost Of Laser Therapy For Hair Loss?
Laser hair therapy is not as costly as hair transplant treatment. However, it is not cheap, either. Professional laser treatment at a clinic may go up to $3000 per year or more. If you buy a laser treatment device, it will cost you around $800 – $1000.
Laser treatment is an effective and safe way to regrow hair. However, there are certain limitations.
Limitations Of Laser Treatment For Hair Growth
- It takes a long time to show results.
- It may not work on people with advanced stages of hair fall.
- It may interact with certain medications and make the scalp photosensitive.
- The laser devices do not undergo strict scrutiny by the FDA.
- The long-term effect of use and safety is yet to be established.
- More research with a wider sample is required.
- The treatment is not cheap, if not as expensive as hair transplantation.
Should you go for laser treatment to stimulate hair growth? Here’s who can get the most out of this therapy.
Who Can Benefit The Most From Laser Treatment For Hair?
Women with androgenic alopecia and men in the initial stages of balding or hair thinning may consider going for low-level laser treatment to induce hair growth and improve hair strength. However, do not decide on your own. Consult a licensed dermatologist or a cosmetologist to understand whether laser therapy will work for you or not.
Laser treatment is a medical procedure used to treat male and female pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). The benefits of laser treatment for hair growth include improved hair growth and no scarring. What’s more? Laser treatment is a safe and effective method with no side effects or downtime. However, despite being an effective method, it takes a long time to show results and may make the scalp photosensitive. Therefore, you should consult your dermatologist to understand the benefits and risks of the procedure before going for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laser hair growth therapy permanent?
Yes. The hair growth after laser therapy is permanent as long as the hair follicle is healthy.
How long does laser therapy take to grow hair?
Small-scale studies of low-level laser therapy have shown positive hair-growth results within 4-6 months.
Which type of laser hair removal is best?
The best type of laser hair removal depends on individual factors such as skin type and hair color. Alexandrite and diode lasers are commonly considered effective and safe for various skin tones, while Nd:YAG lasers are suitable for darker skin. Consult a qualified dermatologist or laser technician for personalized advice.
What should be the gap between laser sessions?
The ideal gap between laser sessions for hair growth varies, but it is commonly recommended to wait around 4-6 weeks. This allows the hair follicles to enter different phases of growth, optimizing the effectiveness of subsequent sessions. Do consult with a dermatologist or laser technician for personalized guidance.
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) for Treatment of Hair Loss
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944668/ - The growth of human scalp hair mediated by visible red light laser and LED sources in males
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24078483/ - Comparative effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for adult androgenic alopecia: a system review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30706177/ - Low-level laser therapy as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27114071/
