Laser Hair Therapy: What You Need To Know

Unlike other lasers that heat, cut, and burn tissue, the lasers used in low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can penetrate the skin without heating or damaging skin. Thus, LLLT is also known as cold laser therapy. 

When undergoing cold laser therapy, there is no sensation of heat, vibration, or pain felt by the patient. These procedures are non-invasive, which offers a possible alternative or addition for alopecia patients who are unresponsive to standard therapy and unwilling to undergo hair transplantation surgery. (3-6)

Light exists as a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The light that we can see lies on the “visible light spectrum,” where the wavelengths range from 380 (violet) to 700 (red) nanometers. The smaller the wavelength, the higher the energy this light contains. We bear witness to this every time we see a rainbow, which occurs when rain breaks up white sunlight into the spectrum of colors we all know and love.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) also goes by the name red light therapy because the lasers used operate on the long wavelength, low energy side of the visible spectrum. Lasers operating on the other end of the spectrum (small wavelength, high energy)  produce more energy. These are used for cutting or coagulating tissue. 

A 2013 trial studied hair growth in men with androgenic alopecia using a 655-nanometer low-level laser, well within the red range of the visible spectrum. Male patients had a small patch of hair on the scalp cut to 3 millimeters and were split into two groups. One group received LLLT with a helmet-like device using 21 lasers and 30 LEDs, while the control group used an identical device but with incandescent red lights. 

The hair counts in the control group barely changed, from 162.7 ± 95.9 at the start to 162.4 ± 62.5 after treatment. The LLLT group increased from 142.0 ± 73.0 to 228.7 ± 102.8, a 39 percent increase! This study showed the potential of red light therapy to stimulate hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia. (7)

There may be many people wondering, “Wait, does laser therapy work for hair loss? I thought lasers were to get rid of hair!” Both of these statements are true. Depending on the type of laser employed, light therapy can either stimulate hair growth or remove unwanted hair. The key difference between these lasers is the wavelength of light used, the power level these lasers operate at, and the amount of time a treatment session lasts. 

The goal of laser therapy for hair growth is to stimulate the underlying hair follicles to enter a growth phase without causing damage to the skin or underlying structures. On the other hand, laser hair removal directly targets pigments in hair, causing heat to the skin and damage to the hair follicles, which can be painful for some.

Laser hair removal is typically done by a medical professional in a clinic or spa setting using gun-shaped or other handheld devices. In contrast, laser therapy for hair growth is almost always done on the scalp using a helmet or cap, a laser comb, or a stand-up hood device. It can be done at home or in a clinical setting. (3-6)

For those wondering, “does laser hair growth work?” the question is not only about its effectiveness but also whether the improved hair growth will last. Laser hair therapy is similar to exercise or brushing your teeth. It works so long as you keep doing it! 

The changes that laser hair therapy makes on the cellular level are reversible, which means that when the stimulus causing these changes goes away, so does the desired effect. Hair growth without medications or surgery is possible using laser hair therapy, but consistency is key. (12)

Laser hair therapy does not need to be done in a clinic or salon. At-home laser hair therapy devices are available and allow patients to enjoy the benefits of low-level light therapy without visiting a professional’s office. These devices include products like the laser hair growth cap, laser comb, laser hair band, and laser hair regrowth helmet. (12)

People with more extensive hair loss may benefit from seeing a trained professional at a clinic to explore combination treatment options. However, these devices generally offer a good alternative to medications and surgeries and can be comfortably used at home.

At-home devices are effective as long as they are used consistently. The increased hair growth can disappear once the machine is no longer used, so keeping up with your hair care regimen is essential.

Laser hair therapy is available at salons and clinicians’ offices, but a cheaper alternative is to perform laser therapy at home! There are many FDA-cleared laser hair growth devices available on the market, and these allow patients to sit back and relax at home while undergoing low-level laser therapy for hair growth. 

With devices such as laser hair growth caps, helmets, combs, and hair bands, you can enjoy the benefits of laser hair growth while at home or on the go. Of course, consistency and patience are essential. These devices require regular use to improve hair regrowth and only show improvement after several months. (18-20)

Laser hair therapy is painless, non-invasive, and has few side effects. This makes it a fantastic solution that can be used independently or combined with other hair loss treatments. A clinician might advise combining laser hair therapy with topical minoxidil, which improves blood flow to the scalp. They might also consider prescribing finasteride, which blocks the production of the hormone responsible for pattern hair loss.

Studies have shown that both minoxidil and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) work for hair loss and that combining the two yields even better results! A 2020 study split 90 women with female pattern hair loss into three groups:

• One group treated with topical 5% minoxidil 
• One group treated with LLLT
• One group treated with both

The combination group had significantly greater improvements in hair diameter and hair density than either of the single treatment groups. (13) Other hair loss treatments may also benefit from the addition of LLLT! 

Laser hair therapy (LLLT) can be provided by a professional in an office setting such as a salon or dermatology clinic. Most in-office LLLT sessions are done using hood-style devices, such as the Capillus272 Office Pro or the Sunetics Clinical Laser. (18)

These sessions typically last around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the device used and the level of hair loss treated. LLLT can also be combined with other hair loss solutions, like topical minoxidil, to enhance hair growth further and stop or slow hair loss. A dermatologist or trained aesthetician can help guide you in making the best choice for your specific hair needs. 

As with all devices, in-office LLLT must be done continually and is a lifelong treatment. This is important since the accumulated cost of in-office treatments may far exceed the price of an at-home device in the long run.

Laser hair caps are a laser hair therapy option that offers patients mobility and discreteness. These devices are baseball caps with a rechargeable battery that powers rows of laser diodes or LEDs lining the interior of the cap. 

Laser therapy caps work particularly well for people who want hands-free hair loss treatments. They can be worn virtually anywhere, which is not that common compared to other treatment options. 

FDA-approved laser caps for hair loss include the Dermascalp Laser Cap, the CapillusPlus cap, and the Lasercap LC series, among others. These caps come in different varieties and prices depending on the number of lights built-in. For example, the Lasercap by Transdermal Cap, Inc. comes in 80, 120, 224, and 304 diode versions. 

Most laser devices can be purchased over the counter.  However, versions with larger amounts of diodes typically require a prescription from your doctor because they output a great deal more energy. Typically, the more advanced the hair loss, the higher the recommended “strength” of the low-level laser therapy device. (14,15)

The HairMax LaserComb® was the first low-level laser therapy (LLLT) device to receive FDA approval in 2011, after an impressive study showing significant improvement in hair growth in 110 men with androgenic alopecia using the device. (1,16) Since then, a great deal more have been approved and marketed to the public, including the NutraStim Laser Comb, LaserBrush from Sunetics, and the Yeamon Laser Comb. 

These devices also benefit from increased portability and ease of use. The lasers embedded within the comb are thought to improve absorption as they are brushed through the hair over the scalp. Like other devices, they should be used about 3 days a week for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. (3) Not a bad time commitment for possible hair growth!

Laser therapy helmets include the Theradome Laser Helmet, the iRestore Hair Growth System, and the HAIR UP Laser Helmet. Like laser hair therapy caps, these devices fit over the head and deliver low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to the scalp via rows of laser diodes or LED lights. With continued use and patience, laser hair therapy helmets can provide relief to those suffering from hair loss.

A 2020 study assessed the efficacy of the HAIR UP Laser Helmet system on 60 patients with androgenic alopecia. They were split into two groups, one that received LLLT from the HAIR UP device and the other that looked identical but only delivered simple red light.

After 16 weeks, the laser therapy group saw an increase in hair density of 41.90 hairs/cm² compared to 0.72 hairs/cm² in the control group, with no reported side effects. Hair thickness also increased in the experimental group by 7.50 µm (micrometers), as opposed to a decrease of 15.03 µm in the control group. Quite the difference! (17)

Laser hair therapy hoods work in the same way as helmet devices. Rather than wear the device, patients simply sit underneath a laser device on a stand, similar to hairdryer hoods at hair salons. The scalp is then treated with low-level lasers for 10 to 15 minutes, and this is repeated roughly three or four times a week.

Like helmets, hoods are an appealing, non-invasive alternative with limited side effects. Compared to medications that may cause systemic side effects or costly surgical procedures with long recovery times, they’re a great choice.

Laser hair therapy does not use needles or chemicals the way other hair loss treatments do. It is non-invasive and offers a favorable side effect profile compared to other treatment options. It’s very rare for laser hair therapy to cause serious problems. 

If you are using medications that increase skin sensitivity, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may need to be discussed with a trained professional beforehand. As the skin is more sensitive, laser absorption can become less productive and more damaging. LLLT devices should also not be used around the thyroid gland or on skin growths/cancers, as the effects of the lasers can cause changes in thyroid function or cause skin growths to develop further. (21) 

It is important not to look directly at or inside laser devices. Some devices recommend goggles to avoid potential damage to the eyes. Keep these devices away from children who may accidentally look directly at the lasers housed inside. 

LLLT devices have not been assessed in pregnant patients and are generally not recommended for those who are expecting. It is important to note that issues only occur in rare cases. LLLT may not be for everyone, but it is an incredibly well-tolerated, non-invasive treatment method for hair loss patients.

At-home laser hair therapy devices can cost considerably less than the price of long-term in-office treatments. However, depending on the device, they can be quite costly as well. They can range from $200 USD (HairMax LaserComb) to $3,000 USD (Capillus 304 Laser Therapy Cap)! In general, devices with LEDs are cheaper, as LEDs themselves cost considerably less than lasers. (18) 

In general, the price of at-home devices correlates with both the size and number of lasers or LEDs. For example, the HairMax® Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb retails for $199 USD, and has nine medical-grade lasers. The upgraded version, the Ultima 12 LaserComb, sells for $399 USD with its twelve lasers. Laser Hair Bands are larger and sell for $549 USD (LaserBand 41) and $799 USD (LaserBand 82). Finally, laser hair caps start at $799 USD for the Flip 80 Laser Cap, an eighty laser device, and rises to $1,899 USD for the PowerFlex Laser Cap 272. (20)