It may seem strange to hear about a laser being used for hair regrowth but this type of treatment has been around for some time and was discovered accidentally by a scientist testing the effects of laser radiation on mice.It was in 1967 soon after the first working laser was invented that Dr. Endre Mester at Semmelweis University in Hungary was carrying out research to see if laser radiation can cause cancer in mice. No cancers were found but what surprised him was that hair grew back much more quickly on a shaved test area of the mice than on the mice in an untreated group.
This effect called low level laser therapy (LLLT)—also known as photo-bio-modulation or photo-bio-stimulation or cold laser therapy—is now used for the treatment of hair regrowth.
Possibly due to the then high cost of laser technology, very little research was carried out over the two decades after the first experiments were conducted. During the 1980s, LLLT started becoming available as an expensive treatment through a number of exclusive hair clinics.
Possibly due to the then high cost of laser technology, very little research was carried out over the two decades after the first experiments were conducted. During the 1980s, LLLT started becoming available as an expensive treatment through a number of exclusive hair clinics.
The lasers used were large complicated fixed devices where patients had to sit under a hood similar to a salon hair dryer. Treatments were performed as frequently as 2–3 times per week; this was often inconvenient for individuals who might have to travel many miles to the nearest clinic or salon. However, the results achieved were very good and soon many salons all over Europe, Asia, and later in the US began offering treatments.
This laser hair regrowth treatment has now been backed up as an effective hair loss treatment by many scientific studies. In 1982, Trelles M. and Mayayo E. published The Growth of Hair under Laser Influence of the HE-NE Beam. In this study, patients with alopecia areata responded with positive results after only 6–8 weeks of treatment, with 2 sessions per week. Later studies in the 1990s tested lasers working at different wavelengths and pulsing the laser to find the most effective laser configuration for treating hair loss.
This laser hair regrowth treatment has now been backed up as an effective hair loss treatment by many scientific studies. In 1982, Trelles M. and Mayayo E. published The Growth of Hair under Laser Influence of the HE-NE Beam. In this study, patients with alopecia areata responded with positive results after only 6–8 weeks of treatment, with 2 sessions per week. Later studies in the 1990s tested lasers working at different wavelengths and pulsing the laser to find the most effective laser configuration for treating hair loss.
Most therapeutic lasers now operate at a wavelength in the range of 600–1000nm where the wavelength is related to how far the light penetrates the scalp. The best wavelength to use is still argued over but it should be sufficient to penetrate at least 5–6mm depth to target the hair bulbs. Many current LLLT devices operate using visible red light at a wavelength of 660nm which can penetrate down to a depth of about 8–10mm. Higher wavelength lasers at 800–900nm are also used; these can penetrate to a depth of about 30–40mm but these are mainly used for treating joints and muscle-related problems.
