Hair loss is thought to affect 10m men and 8m women in the UK. 50% of all men over 50 are affected by male pattern baldness.

About Laser Hair Therapy

In a nutshell, Laser Hair Therapy is a program that treats hair loss and regrows hair by stimulating the scalp, increasing blood flow and blocking the harmful hair loss effects of Dihydrotestoterone, also known as DHT. DHT causes hair follicles to stop producing the thick, healthy hair we once had.

Unlike your typical lasers that are used in surgery that cut tissue, Low Level Lasers are referred to as "cold" lasers, because they do not have the thermal component to cut, burn or vaporize tissue. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is based on the scientific principal of photo-biotherapy. Photo-biotherapy occurs when laser light is absorbed by cells, which causes stimulation of cell metabolism and improved blood flow. So, this laser is classified as a IIIA cosmetic laser, safe for human cosmetic use.

Benefits of laser hair therapy – thicker, fuller healthier hair for all

• Fuller, thicker, shinier, and healthier hair for all
• Increases blood supply to the scalp by 54% after just one treatment
• Increase in thickness in 65% of people
• Slows down or stops the progression of hair loss in 85% of people
• Stoppage of excessive hair loss
• Improvement of hair shaft quality
• Treats the entire scalp area
• Rehabilitation of damaged and dormant hair follicles
• Effective in treating scalp disorder and irritations such as psoriasis, seborrhoreic and itchy scalp
• Normalising sebum in the scalp in case of overactivity/scalp greasiness
• Reduction of pre clogging and prevention of enlarged sebaceous gland formulation
• Reduction of excess levels of skin 5-alpha reductlase and dihydrotestoterone (DHT). These hormones contribute to the genetic thinning of hair.
• All natural hair therapy that is completely safe with no side effects.
• Greater confidence and a better appearance whatever the reason for hair loss, including male pattern baldness, hormonal imbalances, diet and stress.
• Also repairs damage and thinning hair caused by chemicals such hair colours and perming.
• Works to help the effectiveness other hair loss products
• An effective adjunct therapy for pre and post-hair transplant procedures
• Suitable for men and women all ages – 19 – 91!

Costs

Laser Hair Therapy at a glance

Desired Results

• Decrease of hair loss and re-growth of lost hair

Candidates for LLLT

Based upon the information thus far and the various clinical trials in progress, a potential list of candidates for LLLT for hair loss is as follows:

• Men and women between the ages of 18 and 65
• Thinning to moderate hair loss
• Patients ineligible for hair Restoration Surgery due to early stages of hair loss
• Women experiencing diffuse or general thinning including the sides and the back
• Pre and Post operative hair restoration.

There are three general categories of user experience with LLLT as regards to hair loss. 45% of patients will see positive results after 8 weeks of treatment, 45% will see positive results after 10-16 weeks of treatment and 10% see improvement after 16 weeks.

Procedure Overview

• 23-30 minutes sessions
• There is no down-time. You can schedule your procedure for your lunch break.
• It is a 6-12 month program, tailored to fit your individual progress. You will maintain results with simple monthly maintenance.
• There is no pain associated with any aspect of the program. A tingling sensation of the scalp is often noticed during use due to an increase in blood flow in the scalp and hair follicles.

Results

• There are no short or long term side effects with the Laser Hair Therapy class IIIA laser unit; it is FDA approved for cosmetic use, as is the topical solution.
• In two to four months you will begin to see noticeable improvement.
• Each person’s response varies depending on their personal hair loss history.
• The program is clinically proven to stop hair loss in more than 85% of the people who follow it.
• Results are maintained with monthly maintenance treatments. Risks
• In studies performed to about effects of the treatments, there were no headaches, pruritus, erythema, burning or tingling sensations observed by the interviewer or reported by any subjects.

FAQ’s

1. How does laser therapy work?

Laser therapy reactivates hair growth by stimulating live, but weakened, follicles at the cellular level. It does not reactivate dead follicles.

2. Is laser therapy right for me?

Laser therapy is effective for patients who want to improve weak or thinning hair. However, it does not work for areas of the scalp that are totally bald.

3. How soon should I expect to see results?

Some patients may see improvement in a few weeks. But significant changes should be expected for six to 12 months.

4. What happens if I stop using it?

Laser sessions don't cause permanent changes to the follicles. To keep hair growing, patients must follow a regular treatment schedule.

5. Does it work for women too?

Yes. Laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment for many types of female hair loss.

6. How much does it cost?

The average prices for 1 session of laser hair loss therapy is (£50), usually at least 25 will be needed. We have pricing for 1, 3 and 6 months.

7. What other treatment options are available?

Laser therapy can be effective, but the best strategy is to use a multi-therapy approach which may include: Finasteride (Propecia), minoxidil (Rogaine), nutritional supplements (Viviscal, saw palmetto) and follicular-unit hair transplant microsurgery.

Our Treatment Program

We start with a free consultation and evaluation Including a micro-video examination of your scalp and hair to determine if you are a good candidate and likely to receive favourable results from the treatment.

Based on the results of this evaluation, we begin an aggressive treatment program. The program includes 30 minute laser sessions twice weekly. We may also recommend supplements that work in harmony with the low level laser therapy and enhance long term retention of your improved hair quality

The program will involve 6 to 12 months of treatments, along with scheduled evaluations to monitor your progress.

Professor Andre Mester

In 1964, Professor Andre Mester was experimenting in Budapest, Hungary with the use of low-level laser energy ("soft cool" photo light that penetrates the surface of the skin with no heating effect, no damage to the skin and no known negative side effects) to treat skin conditions in diabetic patients. He discovered that sores that would not heal were healed. He also, to his amazement, observed an accelerated hair growth and thickening of hair in the treated areas. Professor Mester’s chance discovery was the beginning of an entire new science devoted to developing practical medical procedures, using low-level energy lasers.

Low Level Laser Therapy:

Taking a Deeper Look

The Principles of Low Level Laser Therapy or photo-biotherapy is as old as sunlight itself. Harnessing and refining the therapy with low reactive lasers in hair clinic laser light hair therapy program is relatively new. Low level lasers are "soft" lasers, often referred to as "cold" laser, and do not have the thermal-component we normally associate with other types of lasers.. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is based on the scientific principal of photo biotherapy.

Photo biotherapy occurs when laser light is absorbed by the cells, which stimulates cell metabolism that enables damaged cells to repair themselves. Photo-biochemical changes in cells can only be achieved with the correct amount of light energy, delivered at the appropriate wavelength. In his research studies, Dr. David G. Williams has called low level laser therapy, or LLLT, a miraculous healing tool.

Principles of Light Energy

Normal white light produces a thermal effect in the skin. This is due to its relatively high energy output, with a large share of its light in the infrared spectrum being absorbed by the water in the outer cell structures. Laser light of a specific wavelength, penetrates deep into the layers of skin and is absorbed, provoking a photo-biochemical chain reaction.

A Laser Light Hair Therapy device has multiple diode lasers mounted in a half sphere, which rotate around the entire head, delivering laser energy to the tissues of the scalp. Laser energy (Photons), penetrate deep into these issues and are absorbed by deeper cell structures, resulting in a photo-biochemical chain of cellular and sub-cellular events. Laser Light Hair Therapy has been clinically proven in European studies to stimulate these cellular and sub-cellular events, leading to a dramatic increase in micro-circulation of blood supplies, cessation of hair loss and stimulation of hair regrowth.

Various light sources including lasers have been used in attempts to stimulate hair growth and stop the progression of hair loss since the 1950's.

In 1984 Dr. Trelles showed in one study that patients with alopecia areata who were treated with HeNe Laser 632.8 nm showed a good response. Dr. Trelles reported that most of the patients with alopecia areata responded well after only 6 to 8 treatments administered twice a week for four weeks. The HeNe laser was placed 30 centimeters from the alopecia area with dosages ranging from 3-4 joule per sq. cm. No fibers or lenses were used. In the same study, microscopic evaluation of the hair shaft structure on the alopecia areata irradiated areas showed a clear modulla rich in Keratin after treatment. Daily treatments appeared to prevent regrowth, causing irritation with a probable increase in hair loss.

At the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Japan Laser Therapy Association in 1992, success was reported with an increase in both hair growth and the density of the hair follicle in the laser treated areas of both male and female stress alopecia and alopecia areata patients, with only one failure out of 40 cases reported in two papers.

Two clinical double blind controlled studies have been completed on Laser Light Hair Therapy:

• Cessation of hair loss, increased regrowth of hair with improved hair quality.
• Increased circulation in scalp blood flow.

Hair Loss (Study #1)

A double blind comparative study of laser treatment with placebo laser (LED)5 for treatment of Hereditary Androgenetic Alpecia in young males. Abstract: A double blind placebo controlled study was carried out to evaluate the effect of laser therapy by comparing Laser Light hair Therapy (inGaAl, 670 nm) and a placebo laser (LED). The duration of hair loss and baldness, according to the Hamilton Classification, were recorded. A skin biopsy for histological examination was taken before and after treatment. In addition a photograph was taken of the patient at the same time. Hair shaft thickness was measured with hair stretched equipment where the hairs can be stretched on a graded scale from 0-10, normal value of hair shaft being 0.5.

There results were confirmed by histological examination. All patients with the exception of one in the laser-treated group showed a complete cessation of hair loss. All patients except 3, showed a clear regrowth of hair with a reduction of as least one category in the Hamiliton classification. Pre-treatment typically showed the dermis with large, relatively normal amounts of follicles. Most of them were in the telogen phase and did not show any real hair. Some of the follicles were widened with keratin taps at the follicle opening. Post-treatment showed the dermis with almost the same amount of hair follicles as pre-treatment, although a number of new follicles could be seen with clearly noticeable hair growth. 50% of the follicles were now in the anagen phase. A clearly visible regrowth of hair was found in post-treatment sample comparison. When comparing the histological findings, transformation into more anagenic hair follicles could be observed in 83% of the patients on laser treatment, but in none of the placebo patients.

Out of 18 patients, 14 showed an increase in hair thickness, and all 18 patients showed improvement in general hair shaft quality. When measured with the hair stretcher, the results showed no improvement in the placebo group or any adverse effects of the treatment. The present double-blind study definitely showed that regrowth of new hair can be achieved in most middle-aged and younger males, with typical male pattern baldness, when the scalp is irradiated with Laser Light Hair Therapy for 30 minutes twice weekly for 5 weeks, with follow-up maintenance treatments.

Is Laser Hair Therapy Safe?

Yes! Low Level Laser Hair Therapy is safe and is classified as a Class IIIA cosmetic laser. The energy produced by the photons does not have the thermal component to cause thermal injuries to patients or administering staff. Laser light energy does not change or alter molecular structures.

Low Level Laser has been used for numerous conditions in Europe for over thirty years and has been the subject of over 2,500 scientific papers, published worldwide. There are no reported side effects to the treatment which is painless, and non-toxic.

As administered, New Look Institute’s low level laser hair therapy combines the most efficient treatment methods into one treatment system offering you the most effective treatment for improving hair volume and hair shaft quality available. A unique approach uniting the most efficient treatment methods into one system offer the most efficient modality to improve hair shaft quality and hair volume. At New Look Institute, our approach is to combine a traditional cosmetic treatment with a Trichology concept that is recognized world-wide, including hair loss control and rejuvenation therapy with approved growth activators.

Low Level Laser Light Therapy

Photo Biotherapy Technical Paper by Dr. Richard P. Giannotto

Introduction

Low Level laser Light Therapy (LLLT) is an internationally accepted name for biostimulation with low energy lasers in order to achieve therapeutic desired effects. Traditionally, LLLT falls under the realm of Physical Medicine, which uses stimulation therapy to activate the body’s natural defense mechanisms. When LLLT is the stimulus, the treatment modality is known as PHOTO BIOSTIMULATION.

LLLT has been indicated in sports medicine, physical/manual medicine, dermatology and neuroendocrine disorders in human and animal patients. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of LLLT, as well as its effect on collagen formation, are good indications for LLLT in traumatology, surgery and dentistry, especially after major operations.

Laser

The word Laser is actually an acronym which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser generates extremely pure light, i.e. light of one wavelength, not of an entire spectrum like a light bulb. The light emitted is highly organized in flow (It may help to think of laser as a single malt scotch and not a “blend” of different wavelengths of light). Laser can be any wavelength of light, visible or invisible, high energy or low energy.

In 1917, Albert Einstein introduced his basic theory for stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. This theory was verified by Landberg in 1928, but at the time there were no practical possibilities for producing a functional laser. In 1951, Fabrikant, a Russian physicist submitted a patent application and subsequently published a paper on laser in 1959.

Mester, a Hungarian scientist, was the first to publish a series of articles in 1960 on the biostimulatory effect of LLLT on cell cultures. In 1963, he published the results of animal experimentation which showed that re-growth of epithelium over skin lesions was faster if the lesion was irradiated with1 Joule per square centimeter. Higher doses did not give any better effect. In fact, if the dose was increased many-fold the result was the opposite. Wound healing was inhibited.

In 1965, Laor and his team found that laser irradiation (LLLT) stimulated the rate of healing burns and mechanically induced wounds.

Physics 101

A Laser is a device which produces electromagnetic radiation in the light band. Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy flux which has properties of both a wave and a particle. These Wave-Particles are called PHOTONS.

Photons have a certain amount of energy (E) which unifies these two properties of waves and particles. Energy (E) is proportional to the mass of the photon (m) according to Einstein’s famous equation:

E=mc2

Energy (E) is also proportional to the frequency (f) of the photon according to the equation:

E=hf

Since f x wavelength equals c (speed of light), it follows that f=c/wavelength. Substituting above, E is proportional to 1/wavelength, or the Energy of a photon is INVERSLEY PROPORTIONAL to its wavelength.

Thus, the BIGGER THE WAVELENGTH OF A PHOTON, THE SMALLER IS ITS ENERGY.

The various wavelengths and energy levels of light form the ELECTRO-MAGNETIC SPECTRUM. This spectrum is a follows from the low energy Radio Waves to the higher energy X-Rays

Radio Waves 1-10,000m wavelength lower E

Microwaves 1-1000mm

Infrared 0.8-1000 micrometers

Visible 400-800 nanometers

Ultraviolet 10-400 nanometers

X-Rays 10 picometers-10 nanometers highest E

As is evident from the above, X-rays have the shortest wavelengths and the highest energy, and are therefore potentially the most harmful of the photons in the spectrum. Visible light is in the middle of the spectrum and is still considered to be low to intermediate energy, and as will become clear, is most suitable for LLLT. The boundaries of visibility/invisibility are lower energy infrared light and higher energy ultraviolet light.

The VISIBLE SPECTRUM of light, i.e. the light visible to our eyes forms the proverbial “colors of the rainbow”. The color of the light is merely a manifestation of its wavelength and therefore its energy level.

The visible range of electro-magnetic radiation has wavelengths of 400-800 nanometers. Broken down into its components it appears as follows:

Red 800-610 nanometers

Orange 610-595 nanometers

Yellow 595-560 nanometers

Yellow-Green 560-530 nanometers

Green 530-495 nanometers

Blue 495-430 nanometers

Violet 430-400 nanometers

As stated above, this light or electromagnetic radiation is VISIBLE due to its wavelength and hence its energy levels.

When a PHOTON hits an object, what happens to its energy? If the photon (light) reflects from the surface of the object, the photon retains its energy. If the photon is transmitted further (beyond the object), it likewise retains its energy. If the photon gets absorbed by the object however, its energy is delivered to the atoms and molecules of the object.

Depending upon the wavelength (and hence the energy) of the absorbed photon, several scenarios may occur. This absorbed energy may result in heat oscillations, i.e. the atoms/molecules become hot, if the energy is low. If the absorbed energy is higher, the atoms and molecules of the object can become excited and/or ionized. If the energy absorbed is high, it can cause the break up of chemical bonds in the atoms/molecules of the object and result in the formation of new compounds.

Laser light then, consists of photons of a specific wavelength, i.e. PURE LIGHT, and hence, a specific energy level, which can interact with a given object. The results of that interaction are dependent upon this specific wavelength (energy level).

Medical Lasers

There are many different types of medical lasers available, but they can be classified into two main groups:

HIGH POWER LASERS cut coagulate and evaporate tissue. These are also known as Surgical Lasers because they replace the scalpel of the surgeon. These lasers produce photons (light) of high energy.

LOW LEVEL LASERS stimulate cell function. The effect is not thermal as in the case of surgical lasers. These non-surgical therapeutic lasers are certified Class 3A by the FDA. The energy produced by the photons of these lasers is low and does not have a thermal component that can cause injuries to users and/or operators. This low level energy does not alter molecular structures, but STIMULATES the body’s mechanisms to REPAIR AND HEAL itself.

Low level (energy) laser light photons are absorbed by the chromophores within the cells. This induces increased production of cellular energy in the form of ATP, which leads to normalization of cell function, pain relief and healing. These effects are especially striking in areas of the body where cells are under stress. The photo-energy from these low level lasers is low and remains a long way below the levels needed for ionization of the atoms and molecules of the cells. Thus no induction of cancer growth has been linked to these lasers. The risk of eye injury is almost non-existent, but goggles are recommended.

LLLT FOT HAIR LOSS (ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA)

What type of laser device would benefit patients with androgenetic alopecia? The devices being promoted must be safe for use. They must be effective to meet the manufacturer’s claims. The consumer must know what he/she is buying, and the device must not expose the consumer to undo risks.

The therapeutic factors in choosing a laser are as follows:

• The wavelength of the light is important as it determines penetration depth in the target tissue. For example, red light at 670 nanometers penetrates greater than other lasers close to the red spectrum. Since wavelengths of 670-690 nanometers support the oxidation processes, it is believed that the 670 nanometer wavelengths show better efficacy in therapeutics than lower wavelength lasers.
• For hair applications, the first and most significant condition in choosing laser wavelength is depth penetration, which should be sufficient to target hair bulbs typically resting at 5-6 mm depth.
• Visible red light at a wavelength of 660 nanometers penetrates tissue to a depth of 8-10 mm so that the entire hair organ will be covered to a depth just beyond the hair bulb. Visible red light could theoretically be effective in the entire scalp and might include wounds, cuts, scars, folliculitis, etc.
• There is the question of continuous wave vs. pulsed operation of the laser. Pulsed operation has been shown to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration to a greater degree than continuous wave operation. Pulses have been shown to stimulate cellular activity. Pulses can regulate biologic rhythms or cycles. Finally, pulsed operation exhibits greater anti-inflammatory effects than the continuous mode.

The GOAL of LLLT is to increase the circulation of the blood to the follicle area and to stimulate the hair organs (nerves, muscles and growth centers of the follicle). The effects of LLLT to stimulate, enhance or speed up the normal life cycle and production cycle of the exposed hair follicles is presently being studied and will fast become the science by which this technology will be judged:

In 1996 Pontien published a Microcirculation study with the Laser Hair Care Device and showed an increase in blood flow.

In 2005 Weiss and McDaniel showed that photo modulation using visible light can alter the expression of genes associated with the stimulation of hair growth. They described it as more of a “minoxidil-like” effect.