What It Does

PBM (Low-level laser therapy) - also referred to as red light therapy and cold laser therapy — irradiates photons into scalp tissues. These photons are absorbed by weak cells to encourage hair growth.

It’s widely accepted that the procedure is safe, tolerable, and less invasive than hair transplant surgery.

 

If you explore the available options for treating hair loss, you will learn that only a few come without any risk of side effects. PhotoBioModulation (PBM) is one of those few, and it’s even drug-free.

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PBM for hair loss is available in professional hair loss treatment clinics, and can also be applied with home-use devices. It’s effective for both men and women, and is especially popular for treating genetic hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Low level laser therapy is said to even regrow hair along the frontal hairline, along with the crown (top of head).

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When and how was PBM discovered to work?

Lasers were discovered in the 1960s and ever since there’s been huge interest in using them to treat medical conditions. A Hungarian physician started a series of experiments using lasers on mice at the end of the 60’s.

He shaved the mice so he could see if the lasers cause cancer, and split them into two groups. He proved that the laser did not cause cancer, and also made another discovery. The mice in the test group that received the laser treatment grew hair back faster than the mice in the group that were not treated at all. This was the first experiment that involved PBM for hair growth.

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How Does Photo Bio Modulation Light Therapy for Hair Loss Work?

PBM hair growth uses a means of an innovative low-level laser energy, with a wavelength of 650nm. The red light emitted by the device is a type of “soft light”, cold to the touch but which does not produce any sensation of pain or discomfort. This light penetrates the scalp skin for about 4 mm. Our BioMOD bed contains diodes that emit 633-650nm (red) (red - Visible) along with 830-850nm (near-infrared) and 900-940nm (near-infrared) in equal doese. These are the 3 wavelengths of red light chosen for their optimum benefits. 

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The wavelength of the 633-650nm red light stimulates epidermal stem cells which play an important role in follicle regeneration. It improves blood circulation to hair follicles and reduces inflammation, both of which help deliver more nutrients and oxygen. This allows the follicle to thrive. PBM also fights the negative action of DHT by stimulating cell metabolism for hair growth. DHT is considered one of the leading causes of genetic balding, and you can read more about it in the article DHT and Hair Loss.

As an added bonus to the above, increased energy after PBM low level laser light therapy improves cellular processes, such as removing toxins from the body. Not bad for a non-surgical procedure.

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How Long Before LLLT Hair Loss Results Show?

Hair loss happens slowly, so turning it around will also take some time. Low level laser light therapy helps the follicle to heal, become stronger, and grow. Allow time for the healing, and then consider how slow hair grows anyway.

Realistically, you’re looking at least 4-6 months after the first PBM treatment before seeing real substantial change or laser hair growth. Early results can be seen though as soon as after 12 weeks of laser hair growth treatment.

Once the PBM hair loss results begin to show, they can appear in several ways. The vellus hair type (fine hair, as a feather) gradually increases, resulting in a hair that is more dense. Another benefit of laser treatment the removal of dandruff and other skin irritations.

It’s also worth mentioning that results vary from person to person, and success from PBM depends on you sticking to the recommended treatment schedule.

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Does Laser Hair Growth Work For All Kinds of Hair Loss?

Everyone, regardless of age, sex, and race or hair color can resort to laser therapy for thinning hair growth. The only condition would be that the candidate does still have active follicles which produce vellus hair type. Laser hair growth works to both stop hair loss and to make wispy hair thicker and healthier. There is no evidence to support that laser hair growth works for follicles that no longer produce any hair at all.

This includes the treatment of both andogenetic alopecia (AA), also referred to as male and female pattern balding and alopecia areata, known as patchy hair loss. The most common type of hair loss treated by low level laser therapy is andogenetic alopecia.

Basically, those who do not want to resort to surgery, take medication, or who have had failed success with other treatments can may turn to LLT for hair loss.

Is Laser Hair Growth Permanent? Does LLLT Need to be repeated? How Often?

Laser therapy lasts at least six months, with sessions at a frequency of 1-2 times a week. In the first three months, excessive hair loss should be slowing. Then, after 4-5 months existing hair becomes healthier, shinier and thicker.

Like all hair loss treatments, the results and the time it takes to achieve them can vary from one individual to another. The range seems to be between 12 and 26 weeks for most people to gain noticeable improvements.

Are There Laser Treatment for Hair Loss Side Effects?

After years of being used to treat many unique cases of alopecia, there are no reported laser hair therapy side effects. There’s little reason to be concerned that the type of lasers used in LLT may cause cancer, because the wavelength of the diodes and the power levels are not considered dangerous.

People often hear the word ‘laser’ and worry about zapping their scalp with dangerous beams that can penetrate deep and cause damage and even cancer. That is NOT the case with LLLT hair therapy. These are medical grade lasers. They are calibrated for a specific use and FDA approved for safety.

There are no reported LLLT Side Effects

There have been over a thousand clinical studies conducted on the use of LLT, and no mutations of cells have been observed from laser hair loss therapy wavelengths and dosages. It is worth noting though, that individuals taking photosensitizing medication should not use low level laser therapy.

Combining PBM With Other Hair Loss Treatments

There are said to be several causes for hair loss, so it would be reasonable to treat hair loss with more than one approach. PBM can reduce and even stop hair loss when used as a stand-alone treatment, but expect better results if used as an addition to a more complete hair loss routine.

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Excessive DHT for example, is known to be a leading cause of hair loss in male pattern balding. Low level laser light therapy for hair loss does not reduce DHT levels. Similar to minoxidil, LLLT stimulates hair growth in an attempt to overcome the negative effects of DHT. If we both stimulate hair growth AND also reduce DHT levels, we are combating hair loss from two different angles, and should get better results.

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Combining with treatments such as MesoGOLD which is a fusion of skin needling and mesotherapy delivers essential amino acids, peptides and vitamins directly into the scalp thus feeding the follicles and the action of micro injury stimulated growth and repair.

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Bottom line – The PBM red light treatment to combat hair loss is more effective if it is combined with other approaches to fight hair loss.

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LLLT Hair Loss Studies – Laser Hair Growth Observed

There have been quite a few studies conducted on the use low level laser therapy for hair loss. The most relevant ones, beginning with the study mentioned above by professor Andre Mester in 1964, span over the years up until recently.

One trial study using the US FDA-cleared HairMax Lasercomb®, observed its effectiveness and laser hair growth on both men and women. The subjects were divided into groups that used either the lasercomb or a sham (non-effective) device.

After 26 weeks, the results concluded that there was a significant increase in the hair density of the men and women using the low-level laser device.

Another similar trial was conducted using only males with genetic pattern balding (androgenetic alopecia), and also observed positive results of increased hair density through laser hair growth.

You can also find more information on LLLT for hair loss studies on this post from the web resource at OverMachoGrande.com.

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PBM Hair Loss Reviews

Most of the people who used low level laser therapy state that they can see improvements and recommend this to others. Some of them recommend to go to a professional, as they have experience and better appliances, but others say that home versions are as good as the ones used by clinics and they have better prices.

Most of the people that used LLLT as a treatment said that their hair looks thicker, fuller and better overall. It is worth mentioning that many reviewers recommend seeing a dermatologist before using LLLT for hair loss.

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PBM Low Level Laser Therapy for Hair Loss Before / After Pictures

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Gallery Coming Soon......