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Dr. Bertram Medical Hair Transplant
眉 髮 醫 學 移 植 中 心 ( 香 港 ) |
( 852 ) 3421-1138
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Laser Therapy For Hair Loss
Background
LASER stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
In late 60s, Dr. Andre Mester of Hungry observed that in laboratory mice, body hair in laser treated areas grew faster and thicker than hair in the untreated areas.
Since the 1980s, Dr Tina Karu of the Laser Technology Center in Russia has researched the effect of light on cells. She discovered that photo receptors exist in the cells. They absorb light and provoke a chain reaction of metabolic events.
Recent studies reported that photobiostimulation of hair follicles with low-level, cold beam laser therapy can stimulate hair re-growth.
Source of picture www.hairmax.com
Mechanism of ACtions
Light exists in 2 forms:
- as wave
- as particle known as photon
Human cells react to light stimulation. The chief photon receptor is located in an intracellular organelle called mitochondria. An activated mitochondria has 2 possible actions :
- Release of Nitrous Oxide from intracellular binding proteins, including Cytochrome C Oxidase. Nitrous Oxide increases blood flow and provides more ATP energy to the hair growth process thus producing healthier, fuller hair.
- Generates reactive oxygen species which in small quantities may increase the transcription factor NF-k8. NF-K8 has numerous benefits including :
- protection from oxidant stress
- stimulation of cell proliferation
- inhibition of cell auto-destruction ( apoptosis )
Biological Effects
Wavelength below 700nm and above 750nm (cold laser) was demonstrated to have three bio-stimulation effect :
- Reductions in cell death in the hair follicles
- Increases the number of active growing hair follicles in the anagen phase
- Increases hair pigmentation
Low Level Laser Device
The device comes in different design. Most common is the handheld "laser comb". The user lays the diodes directly over the scalp for 20 minutes, 3 times a week. In 2007 the "HairMax laser Comb" was approved by FDA. However the FDA approval is for its safety, not efficacy.
The upright model has a hood under which the patient sat for 30 minutes while the laser diodes rotated above the head and deliver laser energy to the scalp. Different devices have different specifications in :
- The number of lasers diodes in the device ( 9-224 )
- The length of treatment sessions
- The wavelength and power output. Most machines have a wavelength of 650nm and an output of 5mw
Efficacy
Dr. Grant Koher conducted a study when patients with AGA received LLL for 20 minutes twice a week for 26 weeks (total 52 treatments). Results as follows :
- Decreased hair loss
- Increased hair count
- Improved hair quality
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After 20
treatments |
After 36
treatments |
After 52
treatments |
| Increase hair count |
> 25% |
> 50% |
> 50% |
| Decrease hair loss |
|
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> 50% |
Another study reported that LLL has beneficial effect in female pattern hair loss (FPHL) when used together with topical Minoxidil. However in both studies the hair stimulating effects were only temporary. On stopping the LLL, hair loss reverses to baseline and then continues.
Conclusion
Despite the biological stimulation effect on hair follicle, controversy remains. How much effect does LLLT have on miniaturizing hair in androgenetic alopecia in both males and females remains uncertain.
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