Laser Treatment For Hair Growth: Does It Really Work?

What Is Laser Hair Treatment?

Laser hair treatment or Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is an FDA-approved, effective, and safe treatment for male and female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia). It is a non-invasive and painless therapy that uses low-level monochromatic red light to stimulate hair growth (1).

How Does Laser Treatment Work For Hair Growth?

The low-level laser irradiates photons into the scalp tissue. These photons get absorbed by the hair follicles, stimulating blood circulation. Increased blood circulation leads to increased nutrient supply to the hair follicles and increased cellular activity. This results in thicker and stronger hair follicles, boosting hair density or the number of hairs on the scalp.

Did You Know?

The initial laser created to eliminate hair follicles was invented by Theodore H. Maiman on July 7, 1960.

A study by American scientists found that laser treatment for 16 weeks showed 39% hair growth in men between the ages of 18-48 with male pattern baldness (2).

A 2019 review confirms that low-level laser hair therapy is an effective hair loss treatment for men and women (3). Another review supports that low-level laser treatment is a good option for men and women with androgenic alopecia who do not want to undergo surgery or use medical therapy (4).

A study conducted on 910 patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia (AGA) analyzed if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) would help improve their condition. The therapy continued for 38 weeks for those with mild AGA (455) and 40 weeks for those with moderate to severe AGA (455). After completion of the therapy, 51.9% of the former and 57.4% of the latter had moderate effect while 27.7% with mild AGA and 20% with moderate to severe AGA had significant effect.

Steven, a YouTuber, shared his experience of using low-level laser therapy. His hair was shedding rapidly and he shaved his head. After using the therapy for 18 months, the hair follicles grew back. He said in his video, “When I first started losing my hair, I was shedding a lot. Once I started using low-level laser therapy that seemed to slow down considerably (i).”

There are many reasons laser hair therapy is considered good. Find out the benefits in the following section.

Benefits Of Laser Treatment

• Effective and safe
• Non-invasive
• Painless
• No localized scarring
• No recovery time
• Improves hair restoration
• No side effects
• At-home use devices are convenient.

Here are a few laser hair growth reviews with before and after pictures.

Laser Hair Growth Reviews

• Here, the laser therapy device used is the iRestore Pro. The picture shows how the hair has grown after using the device for over 6 months.

• Here’s another before and after picture. The device used is Laser Cap Pro. The device looks like a baseball cap with laser diodes on the inside. However, the user also took Rogaine and used coconut oil and castor oil, along with laser therapy, to support hair growth.

• Apart from the laser caps and at-home use devices, you can also go to a clinic and get LLLT treatment. Here’s a before and after picture of LLLT treatment for about a year.

Note: Whether you use an at-home device or go to a professional treatment center, you must consult your doctor.

Quick Tip

You might notice redness and swelling resembling a mild sunburn after undergoing a laser treatment. Using a cool compress may provide some comfort in such a case.

The question now is if laser treatment for hair fall is too expensive. To know the answer, scroll down!

What Is The Cost Of Laser Therapy For Hair Loss?

Laser hair therapy is not as costly as hair transplant treatment. However, it is not cheap, either. Professional laser treatment at a clinic may go up to $3000 per year or more. If you buy a laser treatment device, it will cost you around $800 – $1000.

Laser treatment is an effective and safe way to regrow hair. However, there are certain limitations.

Limitations Of Laser Treatment For Hair Growth

• It takes a long time to show results.
• It may not work on people with advanced stages of hair fall.
• It may interact with certain medications and make the scalp photosensitive.
• The laser devices do not undergo strict scrutiny by the FDA.
• The long-term effect of use and safety is yet to be established.
• More research with a wider sample is required.
• The treatment is not cheap, if not as expensive as hair transplantation.

Should you go for laser treatment to stimulate hair growth? Here’s who can get the most out of this therapy.

Who Can Benefit The Most From Laser Treatment For Hair?

Women with androgenic alopecia and men in the initial stages of balding or hair thinning may consider going for low-level laser treatment to induce hair growth and improve hair strength. However, do not decide on your own. Consult a licensed dermatologist or a cosmetologist to understand whether laser therapy will work for you or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is laser hair growth therapy permanent?

Yes. The hair growth after laser therapy is permanent as long as the hair follicle is healthy.

How long does laser therapy take to grow hair?

Small-scale studies of low-level laser therapy have shown positive hair-growth results within 4-6 months.

Which type of laser hair removal is best?

The best type of laser hair removal depends on individual factors such as skin type and hair color. Alexandrite and diode lasers are commonly considered effective and safe for various skin tones, while Nd:YAG lasers are suitable for darker skin. Consult a qualified dermatologist or laser technician for personalized advice.

What should be the gap between laser sessions?

The ideal gap between laser sessions for hair growth varies, but it is commonly recommended to wait around 4-6 weeks. This allows the hair follicles to enter different phases of growth, optimizing the effectiveness of subsequent sessions. Do consult with a dermatologist or laser technician for personalized guidance.

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Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.   Dr. Chavan is well-versed with dermatological and aesthetic procedures. Her special...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more