Learn how Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) may help stimulate hair growth and support healthier, fuller-looking hair.
Key Takeaways:
- LLLT is a non-invasive hair loss treatment that uses low-level laser light to stimulate hair follicles and support healthier hair growth.
- Research suggests LLLT may help treat androgenetic alopecia by increasing cellular energy, improving circulation, and encouraging hair follicles to enter the active growth phase.
- Consistent use delivers the best results, and studies suggest LLLT may be even more effective when combined with proven treatments like minoxidil.
- HairClub offers FDA-cleared, medical-grade LLLT devices as part of personalized hair loss prevention and regrowth programs, with expert guidance to help determine if it’s right for you.
Low-Level Laser Therapy7,8 (LLLT) has been a part of the medical field for over 50 years. Throughout this time, it has proven beneficial in treating a wide range of ailments and disorders.
From pain management and wound healing to skin conditions and even the treatment of certain types of hair loss, including alopecia, it has shown remarkable versatility. Also known by other terms like low-level light therapy, red light therapy, photobiomodulation, photostimulation, and cold laser treatment, it may offer hope to men and women suffering from hair loss.
Discover what LLLT is, how it works, and if this form of laser therapy can help you regrow hair once and for all.
What is Low-Level Laser Therapy?
LLLT is a medical treatment that can be used in a variety of ways to address numerous ailments. Because it is non-thermal, it does not produce heat, and offers a safe, painless, and noninvasive way to treat various medical conditions as well as skin issues.
LLLT treatment can aid in the reduction of pain and inflammation, help with tissue and nerve repair, decrease edema, and assist in wound and fracture healing. It’s also widely used in dermatology to treat acne and redness by reducing inflammation and stimulating collagen production, which helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The History of LLLT
LLLT was first discovered by Hungarian physician Endre Mester in 1967. Considered a pioneer of laser medicine, he uncovered the healing properties of low-level laser therapy while working on an experiment to cure malignant tumors in rats.
The initial experiment, conducted by another scientist, used a different type of laser. For his test, Mester used his own custom-made, low-power laser. He discovered that the rats exhibited an increase in hair growth as well as better wound healing.
This was ultimately the first indication that low-level laser therapy could be a beneficial tool in the medical field for a variety of health issues, including laser hair growth.
Does Low-Level Laser Therapy Help Alopecia?
Research into treating alopecia with LLLT is promising. Several studies have yielded results showing it to be effective in treating various forms of alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia, by stimulating hair growth. Also known as male pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia is one of the most common forms of hair loss and affects both men and women.
LLLT works by stimulating the cells within a specific area of the scalp, particularly the dermal papilla cells. This helps promote hair growth by allowing the follicles to enter the primary stage of the hair growth cycle called the anagen phase. The therapy enhances cellular proliferation and oxidative phosphorylation, leading to increased energy production in the cells. Even weak or less active cells have been shown to strengthen and activate, leading to hair regrowth.
The effectiveness of LLLT for hair loss follows a biphasic dose response, meaning that there’s an optimal range for treatment. Some studies even showed that the combination of LLLT and minoxidil3 even more effective than LLLT alone in treating hair loss.
How Does LLLT Work for Hair Loss?
LLLT devices, such as caps, emit low-level laser light that penetrates the scalp. This light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria of cells, stimulating ATP production and cellular energy. This increased energy supports the hair growth cycle and promotes the proliferation of dermal papilla cells, which are crucial for hair growth.
Laser hair therapy also increases blood flow to the scalp, delivering more nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. This improved circulation, combined with the cellular stimulation, can help to reverse miniaturization of hair follicles often seen in conditions like male pattern baldness.
Does HairClub Offer LLLT?
HairClub offers LLLT as a supplement to its hair loss prevention and regrowth solutions. This type of therapy provides a convenient, effective way to regrow hair from the comfort of home. Clients are able to choose from a number of medical-grade, FDA-cleared LLLT devices that help increase microcirculation to the scalp and deliver energy and vital nutrients like oxygen to the hair follicles.
These LLLT devices, including laser caps and other handheld tools, are designed to provide the optimal dose of low-level laser light to stimulate hair growth. Regular use of these devices, as part of a comprehensive hair restoration plan, can lead to noticeable improvements in hair density and quality.
LLLT After Hair Transplant Surgery
Many people who undergo hair transplant surgery1 choose to include Low-Level Laser Therapy as part of their ongoing hair restoration plan. Although transplanted follicles are typically resistant to the hormones that cause pattern hair loss, the surrounding native hair may continue to thin over time. LLLT can help support scalp health, stimulate follicle activity, and promote a healthier environment for existing hair, making it a valuable complement to hair transplant surgery. By helping preserve the hair you already have while encouraging fuller-looking growth, LLLT can play an important role in maintaining your results for years to come.
Learn more about LLLT for hair loss by scheduling a complimentary consultation at one of our centers today! Our experts can guide you through the process, explain how it works for your specific type of hair loss, and help you choose the right LLLT device for your needs.
