DID YOU KNOW? You’re not balding because your hair is falling out? You go bald and hair thins out because it doesn’t grow back! The key to avoiding Hair Loss is not to ignore it, says Shelly Beatty, owner and hair loss consultant of StyleMakers Salon in Fort Worth, TX, who says there is much that can be done if hair follicles are still alive. “Once follicles are dead there is nothing you can do to bring them back to life, so if you notice changes in hair growth, thinning or fall-out, don’t wait to see a doctor and a hair loss specialist!” Using low-level Laser Hair Therapy can give lagging hair follicles a boost and it can work in conjunction with other treatments like internal DHT blockers like Propecia and topical shampoos as well as topical Minoxidil you may be considering or already using, for even more positive results. Typically you’ll want to check with your primary care physician and a dermatologist to determine why you’re losing your hair first, because this therapy works only for certain hair loss conditions. Is Laser Hair Therapy for me? •Have you just recently noticed hair fall-out or changes in hair health? •Are you experiencing age-related hair loss due to excess DHT? •Are you using hair care products to remove DHT? •Are you currently taking Propecia or using Minoxidil? •Are you on any medications that could be causing temporary hair loss? •Can you afford the time and money for weekly treatments? How does Laser Hair Therapy work? If you answered YES to any of the above questions, low-level Laser Hair Therapy is a great way to target hair loss early. It can be administered through a hand-held unit or a whole head unit you might find at a hair loss clinic or studio. This hair loss treatment has been approved by the FDA to promote hair growth in males with male pattern baldness who have Norwood Hamilton Classifications of I to V. The unit looks like a hair brush or comb with diodes and LED lights that distribute low-level laser light to the scalp while the comb teeth simultaneously part your hair so it reaches the scalp. Because hair is meant to fall out and re-grow from the roots, when follicles begin to shrink and degenerate, the hair does not grow back and hair loss occurs. Studies showed that the laser light therapy, when used on a regular basis can strengthen and regenerate shrinking follicles to grow again. “The laser light increases blood flow to the scalp and jump-starts hair follicles to do what they are intended to do,” says Beatty. This slows down hair loss and in many cases reverses the degenerative cycle and stimulates a live follicle to produce more, thicker, stronger, healthier hair. What can I expect? Experts agree it is key to find a hair loss professional to advise you in this treatment and/or administer it in the salon. Depending upon your reasons and amount of hair loss, you will most likely visit your salon 1-3 times a week for a treatment. But it does not work instantaneously, cautions Beatty. “Don’t expect a full head of hair in 8 weeks - the follicle needs time to produce new hair, exit the scalp, and grow to a measurable length before you will notice results. Usually you can see results in about three months with measurable results in about 6 months,” explains Beatty. “That’s why we take close-up photographs of the hair loss area before the treatment and again every three months in so you can see the improvement.” If your hair loss is severe experts agree that using low-level Laser Hair Therapy will work best in conjunction with other treatments, like Propecia for men. “This way you can attack the hair loss from the inside with Propecia and from the surface with the low-level laser light therapy,” suggests Beatty. “Also, if your hair loss is age-related and you are producing DHT that is attacking follicles, I recommend using haircare products that remove and inhibit DHT from sitting on follicles, so they can better benefit from the laser treatments.” Complications If your hair loss was temporary, a medical side effect or some other hormonal reason that was resolved, low-level Laser Hair Therapy will re-grow hair faster and healthier. But, cautions Beatty, if your hair loss is progressive and you discontinue therapy your hair loss will revert to what it would have been if you had not done any treatments at all. Also, when utilizing laser therapy devices, “More is NOT better!” cautions Beatty. Also low-level Laser Hair Therapy will NOT work if you are losing hair due to chemotherapy or experiencing Alopecia Areata or have had extensive hair loss for more than five years. The Bottom Line The best results are obtained when you work with a hair loss specialist to devise a plan specific to your type of loss that includes evaluating results so expectations are realistic. Look for a high quality device for at-home use which depends on the strength and amount of the diode as well as how many lights it has and can range in price from $250-$1000. “The one I use in my salon has 4 diodes with 4-6 LED lights. If hair loss is just temporary the smaller one can work fine.” When looking for a hair loss professional ask the following questions: •How long have you been treating hair loss? •What is your experience with laser light devices/treatment? •Referrals? •Before and After photos of Laser Hair Therapy clients?
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