Laser treatment for hair loss can help treat pattern balding, androgenetic alopecia, receding hairline, and general thinning of the scalp. It can also work with other treatments, such as minoxidil or PRP.
During a session, the doctor presses a laser instrument against your skin. It might have a cooling device or a cool gel on the tip to protect your skin and reduce discomfort.
1. What is it?
Laser treatment for hair loss is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level laser light to encourage hair growth. It can treat a receding hairline, male or female pattern baldness, and genetic thinning hair.
The weaker cells in your scalp tissue absorb the laser light, encouraging them to become stronger and healthier. It also stimulates the hair follicles to increase their density and promote new growth. It is a safe and natural alternative to other hair loss treatments, such as changing shampoo, taking supplements, or undergoing hair transplant surgery.
A professional salon or clinic will use a handheld laser instrument to emit low-level laser light on your scalp and follicles. This device may have a cooling mechanism or gel to prevent skin from getting burnt. You might notice some darker spots on the surface of your skin if you have lighter skin, and a slight swelling will likely occur. These effects are similar to traditional hair growth methods and should fade quickly.
2. How Does It Work?
Your doctor will hold a handheld instrument against your scalp during laser treatment. A cooling device or gel might protect your skin and minimize any discomfort. Then, the doctor will activate the tool, which sends a laser beam to your scalp. This beam damages your hair follicles and inhibits their growth.
According to a study, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) Individuals with hereditary pattern balding can promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. However, other studies have shown mixed results. The best outcomes are combined with other treatments, such as PRP or follicular unit extraction (FUE).
In some cases, laser light therapy might also be used as a pretreatment for a hair transplant. It might help speed up the healing process and increase the density of the transplanted hairs after surgery. It also helps treat scarring alopecia and other types of traction alopecia. If you’re considering laser therapy, ensure the practitioner is a board-certified specialist with experience. It’s also essential to avoid sun exposure during and after laser treatment.
3. How Long Will It Take?
It takes several treatment sessions for the results to become apparent. Your dermatologist may recommend two to six laser treatments every four to eight weeks.
After powering on the laser, a cooling gel is applied to the skin to minimize discomfort and protect it from damage. The laser beam’s intense heat damages hair follicles, hindering the future growth of unwanted hair.
Your body will shed the damaged follicles over days to weeks, and it might look like continued hair growth. It is normal.
The damaged follicles will eventually grow again, but the new hair is typically thinner and lighter in color than your original hair. Because of this, most people require a series of treatments to achieve their desired results.
You should refrain from sun exposure and use sunscreen after the treatment. It’s also crucial to avoid tweezing, waxing, plucking, picking, or squeezing the treated area. It might remove the hair follicles targeted by laser treatment and delay the return of desired results.
4. Are There Any Side Effects?
Generally speaking, a laser is very safe and causes few side effects. However, the procedure might cause redness or swelling for several hours if you have sensitive skin. You may also feel a slight tingling sensation as the heat from the laser destroys your hair follicles. You can ease discomfort by applying ice or topical anesthetics before the treatment.
The first thing you need to do before laser treatment is shave the area that will be treated. It would help to avoid sun exposure one or two days before the treatment. Laser hair removal is ineffective on tanned skin, so it is best to avoid waxing or plucking.
You should repeat the laser treatment sessions for a few months or even years before seeing permanent results. The hair that does grow back might be finer and lighter in color. However, it will still be significantly less noticeable if you don’t have the treatment. The process is also not recommended for pregnant women.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can lead to unwanted hair growth in certain areas. This can be a cause of discomfort and embarrassment for many women. It’s essential to take care of yourself during this time and consider safe and effective hair removal options to help you feel more confident and comfortable.
5. What Should I Expect?
Laser hair loss therapy devices come in caps, combs, or helmets, but they all work the same way. They aim LED light or laser beams set at specific wavelengths at the scalp to increase blood flow and stimulate follicle growth.
The treatment might take a few minutes for a small area but longer for larger areas or people with thicker hair. The practitioner might shave the treatment area before applying the device. You’ll wear special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser light. You might feel some heat from the light, but it’s not painful.
LLLT can treat pattern balding, androgenetic alopecia, receding hairline & general thinning of the head, or scaly patches in both men & women. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments or surgical procedures like follicular unit extraction can be combined. The treatment can be a preventive strategy, particularly in the early stages of hair loss. It will improve the quality of remaining hair and help reduce hair loss.
