Posts in Topic: Laser Therapy

Does Low Level Laser Therapy Effect Hair Loss in Men and Women Differently?

October 19th, 2009

Q: Have there been any studies showing the difference between men and women in their response to laser treatments for hair loss?

A: In the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology (Vol. 5, Number 2; 2003), a study on low level laser therapy (LLLT) was conducted which indicated that there was a 55% increase of growth (hair count) in the temporal area as well as 64% in the vertex of the female subjects who were treated with LLLT for hair loss. The study also indicated a 74% increase in the hair counts of the male subjects in the temporal area and 120% in the vertex region. These results would initially indicate that LLLT works better in men than in women, but there were four times as many men in this study so the results might be different in a larger test group.

However, even in this notably smaller female group, the tensile strength of the hair increased dramatically over the tensile strength observed in the male subjects after treatment. This would indicate that, at least in this study, there was not only an increased hair count in women, but the tensile strength of that hair was greatly improved as well. This would be initially indicative that LLLT may be found to be more beneficial to women than to men.

It is important to note that this study was published in 2003. Further studies need to be conducted to confirm the initial results and to further elucidate the possible mechanisms of low level laser light therapy in both men and women with alopecia. As important, long term data needs to be accumulated to show the continued efficacy of this treatment. It had been our clinical experience that LLLT is not as effective as one would assume from the results of the initial studies.

Visit the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration page on Laser Therapy for more information on the topic, or read more on laser therapy at the Hair Transplant Blog.

Topic: Laser Therapy

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 9:24 am

Dr. Schweiger Discusses LaserComb for Hair Loss in Women in Wall Street Journal

September 29th, 2009

Dr. Eric S. Schweiger, an Associate at Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration, was interviewed recently for an article in the Wall Street Journal.

The article — Can Lasers Stimulate a Hair-Growth Spurt? — discusses the efficacy of the HairMax LaserComb and low level laser therapy (LLLT) and also touches on Dr. Schweiger’s main area of expertise, the diagnosis and treatment of hair loss in women:

Eric S. Schweiger, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, says the LaserComb helps grow hair, but adds that effects are often modest, typically take at least six months and aren’t seen in all patients.

The only home laser device cleared for hair growth by the Food and Drug Administration is the LaserComb, which claims to increase hair growth in men. While used by Dr. Schweiger and others for women, the device isn’t FDA cleared for them; a clinical trial is continuing, the company says.

Read more about low level laser therapy (LLLT) and the HairMax LaserComb on the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration website. For further reading you can explore the Laser Therapy topic on the Hair Transplant Blog.

Topic: Laser Therapy

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 8:40 am

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Stimulates Hair Growth in Lab

August 27th, 2009

Aug 21, 2009 – BOCA RATON, FL – A study conducted by Laboratoire Bio-EC — of Paris, France — on the on ex-vivo growth of hair from Low Level Laser Light exposure of hair follicles in culture medium were presented recently at the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS).

Michael Hamblin, PhD from Harvard Medical School/Wellman Center for Photomedicine, compared a dose of laser energy and a reference dose on the growth of hair in a lab culture to show that laser energy stimulated hair growth. Isolated follicles were placed in the Philpott hair culture medium, exposed to low level laser irradiation, and measured for hair length increases. Analysis of hairs grown ex-vivo exposed to the two laser doses, were photographed at regular intervals over ten days.

The conclusion of the study was that the wave length dose studied induced statistically significant increase in hair growth vs. control dose at the conclusion of the study.

The significance of these results is that it documents the ability of laser light to stimulate hair growth in vitro. The results showed that laser energy stimulated proliferation of cells in the hair matrix.

For more information, see the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration section on low level laser therapy.

Topic: Laser Therapy

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 10:39 am

Which Laser Comb Works Best for Hair Restoration?

July 28th, 2008

Q: I have been trying to find some evaluation of which laser combs work best for “hair restoration”. I have seen some dermatologists speak about the Hair Max laser comb and its effectiveness (considering patient compliance, the amount of time the patient has been losing hair, the amount of total hair loss at time of treatment, etc.). I have also seen reference to the Sunetic laser comb which claims to have a superior technology to the Hair Max and offers a changeable head to allow treatment of the skin for healing, wrinkles, etc. A company in Michigan also offers a laser comb called the Hair Rejuvenator which it claims is superior to either of the other combs but I have not heard of any dermatologist who recommends this comb. A firm in Australia also offers a laser comb (Aculas) which it claims is the most effective; however, the makers of the Hair Rejuvenator comb say it is too powerful and dangerous and could cause blindness. Amidst all these claims, the consumer (patient) is left wondering which best option is and which is merely hype or fraud. What do you suggest?

A: There are no comparative studies thus far. For a hand-held device, I would stick with the Laser comb for now since it is the only one that has cleared the FDA.

Some others may work as well (and are less expensive) but we just don’t know at this time – and how useful any of them are long-term is also still not known.

Topic: Laser Therapy

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 9:41 am

After Hair Transplant, When Can One Resume Laser Therapy Treatment?

June 16th, 2008

Q: I am currently using the Hair Max Laser Comb. I am starting on my third week and am scheduled for a hair transplant in one week. My question is: how long do I have to wait to restart the laser comb after my hair restoration procedure? This is not my first procedure and I understand the grafts are delicate for the first couple of weeks. If I keep the teeth away from the scalp and just let the light hit the grafts will this promote faster growth?

A: You can start using the laser comb again right after the surgery, as long as it doesn’t touch the scalp.

At 10 days after the hair transplant you can use it normally, as the grafts are permanent and there is no risk of dislodging them.

Topic: Laser Therapy

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Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 7:44 am



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