In my last post on pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF), I mentioned a recent August 2024 paper funded by StimuSIL (US). In there, the authors describe in detail a new hair growth technology and device from StimuSIL that combines laser and microneedling. It is supposed to be significantly superior to traditional low-level laser therapy for hair growth.

StimuSIL SAGA-001: Combined Laser and Microneedling

The new StimuSIL (US) hair growth device is called SAGA-001 and is only meant for in-clinic use. Most hair loss treatments entail daily usage (e.g., pill, topicals or laser caps/helmets/combs). In contrast, SAGA-001 treatments are only required once every two weeks. StimuSIL was co-founded by CEO Ana Villalba and Chairman Pablo Villalba.

StimuSIL’s initial SAGA-001 clinical trial was just completed in Turkey on September 1, 2024. The purpose of the 24-week study was to see if the SAGA-001 device is safe and effective at treating male pattern hair loss.

The original 2023 trial commencement announcement calls the product a “novel microneedling and laser device for male pattern hair loss”. The SAGA-001 device combines microneedling and laser light delivery for hair growth. The manufacturer calls this patented technology “precision low-level laser therapy (LLLT)”. StimuSIL does not have much on its website regarding the exact nature of this subdermal laser process.

The device uses lasers that are first inserted into the skin’s dermis in order to avoid loss at the melanin level. According to the new paper’s authors:

“Precision LLLT utilizes a novel approach to photobiomodulation delivery, which is intended to reproduce the success of combining minoxidil with microneedling.”

The SAGA device pierces through the skin’s epidermis layer using novel optical microneedles. These needles bypass the melanin layer in order to safely and efficiently deliver more energy to the hair follicles.

On StimuSIL’s website, they state that when conventional laser hair growth devices shine light over the epidermis, most of it is blocked due to the melanin layer. Per the image above from their study, a staggering 80% of the low-level laser’s light energy is blocked by the skin’s melanin. And another 5% is reflected of the surface. So only 15% gets down to the dermis layer from where the hair follicles arise. Quite hard to believe.

The company’s proprietary technology:

“Aims to deliver PBM across the melanin layer of the skin in order to enhance this treatment’s biostimulatory effects.”

StimuField

Also significant, On August 2, 2024 StimuSIL announced plans to launch StimuField, a new wearable product entering their biomedical device pipeline. StimuField uses pulsed electromagnetic field therapy to improve hair and scalp health in men and women. I discussed this development in my earlier mentioned PEMF and hair growth post.

Below is a comparison image of the various treatments from the StimuSIL’s new paper: