There has been a lot of talk about laser therapy and how it is being utilised for a range of purposes. While there are some uses that are cosmetic, there are numerous that are medical. Since the past few years, laser therapy has been used extensively and effectively in treating hair loss. However, before we move onto how laser therapy is being used to treat hair loss, there are certain other facts that need to be understood.
For starters, low level laser therapy is used as a form of treatment for hair loss that is safe for almost everyone (except for people suffering from any form of photosensitivity). The therapy can be used to treat hair related conditions such as androgenetic alopecia and pattern balding.
If the therapy is being used for pattern baldness, then there are a range of lasers that can be used, including
- Helium-neon (632.8 nm)
- Excimer (308 nm)
- Fractional erbium-glass (1550 nm)
The light on these devices has to be strong enough to penetrate the scalp, but gentle enough not to cause any burns. These days, there are laser therapy devices in the form of panels that fit over the head, can
be worn in the form of caps and even be held in the hand.
Ideally, low level laser therapy can be used for both men and women suffering from thinning hair or even pattern baldness that has been caused due to heredity. Most people would not be aware of this, but there are methods by which the intensity of the baldness is measured – while for men, it is known as the Norwood-Hamilton Classification, for women it is known as the Ludwig-Savin Scale. So, for men who rank IIa to V and for women who rank at I-4, II-1 or II-2 would be considered ideal candidates for low level laser therapy. In addition, women with frontal hair loss and those who have been diagnosed with Fitzpatrick skin photo-types I to IV are also eligible for this therapy.
How laser therapy works:
The photons emitted by the laser device target the cytochrome C oxidase, which leads to the creation of adenosine triphosphate. This ATP is then converted into cyclic AMP, eventually releasing energy. The process also helps in stimulating the metabolic process of the body, which assists hair growth. If there is any excess build up of DHT, the laser therapy can help prevent the same. Finally, the nitric acid which is released from the cells leads to an increase in vascularisation to the scalp. This in turn, allows the scalp to better distribute not only nutrients, but also oxygen to the roots of the hair.
You could head to a doctor specialising in hair because laser therapy is easy enough to administer. As a matter of fact, with modern day handheld devices, people can actually treat themselves. Ten to fifteen minutes sessions, two to three times a week is often more than enough and has been known to show drastic changes and positive results.
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