I have always been a skeptic when it comes to low level laser therapy (LLLT) treatments for hair loss. This is not to say that I felt there was zero logic or benefit in using lasers to treat scalp hair loss.
In fact, for years, I have heard of the phenomenon of laser hair removal causing the unwanted and opposite side effect of laser hair growth stimulation in some people!
However, I felt and still feel that the benefits of LLLT on scalp hair are modest at best. Lasers used for body hair removal are more powerful and quite different from those used to treat scalp hair loss.
Update: May 2021 study concluded that low-level light therapy downregulates scalp inflammatory biomarkers in men with androgenetic alopecia. Moreover, LLLT also boosts the effectiveness of Minoxidil on hair growth.
Low Level Laser Therapy Best Wavelength
The lasers that are used in LLLT typically have a wavelength of anywhere between 600 to 900 nanometers. Anything below 600 nm tends to work less effectively. One study from South Korea found that the higher wavelengths in the above range gave superior results in mice. For more on this subject, see my posts on low level laser therapy for hair loss wavelengths.
LLLT Debate
The follically blessed Dr. Alan Bauman has always been a strong supporter of LLLT. This debate from 2008 between Dr. Feller and Dr. Bauman is quite interesting. Dr. Bauman was also part of a now famous 2004/2005 Dateline NBC show that followed 5 patients on different treatment protocols, with the HairMax Lasercomb resulting in favorable (but not stellar) results. See patient “George” at 8:10 onwards in this video):
Laser Devices for Hair Growth
Nowadays, numerous physicians support the use of Lasercomb or other laser devices for hair growth. The Amazon.com customer reviews for LLLT products such as the HairMax LaserComb
and the iRestore laser cap typically average around 3.5 out of 5.0 stars.
I would advise always looking at Amazon reviews with a critical eye, and giving more credence to reviewers who have their real names displayed and verified, and to reviewers who have posted reviews of many different types of products over the course of at least 2-3 years.
I think laser therapy treatments that are designed for home-use such as laser comb or cap are more cost effective. But when it comes to the efficacy, it’s still debatable. Also, how well it works really depends on individuals.
Regardless, thanks for the video clip. It was interesting to see their perception to hair laser therapy in general.
I am Leonard Stillman, Director of Professional Services at Lexington International, LLC, manufacturers of the HairMax LaserComb. This post is NOT for commercial purposes, but is to notify your readers of a landmark clinical paper that was published in January 2014, in a peer-review medical journal. The article provides complete information on 4 studies with 225 subjects, which conclusively proved the efficacy and safety of the HairMax LaserComb in treating male and female pattern hair loss.
The article is entitled: Efficacy and Safety of a Low-level Laser Device in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Multicenter, Randomized, Sham Device-controlled, Double-blind Study
Below is a link to the complete article:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40257-013-0060-6
Here are 2 quotes which contain the conclusions of the authors, taken directly from the article:
“LLLT may provide a promising treatment option for patients who do not respond to either finasteride or minoxidil, and who do not want to undergo hair transplantation.”
“Additionally, while topical minoxidil solution or foam is widely used to treat pattern hair loss and is generally well tolerated, the treatment needs to be applied once or twice daily, and be in contact with the scalp for at least 4 hours. Such application can be impractical for many users, leading to noncompliance and reduced efficacy. As an alternative, the [HairMax] lasercomb treatment is safe and easy to apply, with 8–15 min of treatment three times per week, and leaves no residue on the scalp. Such user friendliness of the [HairMax] lasercomb may lead to better patient compliance and improved efficacy.”
We invite your readers to visit our web site, http://www.hairmax.com, to see if the HairMax LaserComb is right for them.
Hey admin, you seemed to be in tune with a lots that’s going on in the world of hairloss so I was just hoping you may be able to steer me in the right direction. Im looking to purchase an at home laser device for hair growth.
Hair clinics are trying to sell me the 3000 dollar laser cap. But then I see products like Theradome which are under a thousand. Do you have any thought/opinions if the theradome is equivalent to the pricier laser cap. I want the best available, just don’t know if there pricier tag means its the best. Thanks for any help you can give on this Admin. Love the work you do over here!