To fully understand how laser works, you need to understand the basics of how hair grows and replaces itself in its natural cycle. Every hair on one's head usually grows for several years, an average of 2 to 6. This is called the "Anagen" stage. The follicle then rests for some weeks. This stage is called the "Catagen" stage. The hair is then shed and a new hair begins to grow. This stage is called the "Telegen" stage. This cycle continues througout  our lives.  Unfortunately, some of us replace fewer hairs than are shed (and/or a thinner hair) resulting in a thinner hair and gradually baldness occurs.

Low Level Laser Light Hair Therapy

Laser light uses the scientific principle of photo-biotherapy. This process occurs when cells absorb light and repair themselves. Laser light penetrates deep into the tissues of the scalp (it does not penetrate bone), stimulating microcirculation of blood supply, cell metabolism and protein synthesizers. Clinical studies suggest that this cellular and sub-cellular activity breaks down the collection of DHT (dehydrotestosterone), helping to stop hair loss. Many long-term international clinical research programs have shown that bio-stimulation of 'cold-beam' low-level laser gives numerous positive effects to the skin and hair.

Research suggests that laser works by three mechanisms:

Energization, transforming laser energy into cellular energy. Laser light increases the energy available to cells so they take in nutrients faster and get rid of waste products. Not surprisingly, many scientists and physicians have been using low-level laser over the past 30 years to speed wound healing and produce new tissue.

Circulation, increasing blood and lymph circulation through vasodilation. Microscopic studies have shown laser increases circulation and oxygenation of the blood to the scalp and hair bulb. Laser also removes calcification and blockagesaround the hair bulb; as well as increases cell replacement activity. Laser helps to improve hair in fullness, shine, body and elasticity. Therefore, problems such as excessively oily or dry scalp, dandruff and itchiness can also be reduced.

Vibration, bringing cells into harmonious oscillation patters. The soft tissue and fluids in our bodies actually vibrate. They do this within a frequency range similar to that of cold-beam, red light laser. When its vibrations become irregular or out-of-step, it can be brought back into synchronization' with low level laser working at quantum level.

Scientific Studies

In 1964, Professor Andre Mester began experimenting with the use of low-power laser energy in Budapest, Hungary. He observed that low energy laser exposure has a stimulating effect on the biological system, while high-energy laser exposure had an inhibiting effect. In his experiments with would treatment on mice, he noticed rapid healing due to microcirculation of blood supply. this healing was also obvious in laser light treatment of diabetic patients suffering with dystrophic sores. He also observed accelerated hair growth and thickening of hair in the treated areas. This theory, through its evolution, has since been refined and is widely becoming one of the most popular non-invasive hair loss treatments.

In 1984, the 4th Annual Meeting of the Japan Laser Therapy Association reported an increase in both hair growth and the density of the hair follicles in the laser treated areas of both male and female clients. Alopecia and Alopecia Areata clients also experienced new growth. Thirty-nine out of forty clients experienced this remarkable re-growth.

The Laser Conference held in Helsinki, Findland in 1993 presented a study of the double blind comparative study with placebo laser for treatment of Hereditary Androgenetic Alopecia in young males. It described the positive effect of Low Level Laser Therapy treatments to stop hair loss, and increase hair shaft tensile strength. All clients except three showed  clear hair re-growth with a reduction of at least one category in the Hamilton Classification.

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 moved into the anagen phase of growth.

When comparing the histological findings, transformation into anagen hair follicles could be observed in 83% of the clients on laser treatment but in none of the placebo patients. Out of 18 patients, 14 showed an increase in hair thickness. In all of the 18 patients, improvement in general hair shaft quality measured with the Hair stretcher. The results showed no improvement in the placebo group or any adverse effects of the treatment.

Professor Pontinen is one of the pioneers of low-level laser hair therapy. He established the beneficial effect of laser hair care on scalp blood flow and published his results. The effects of hair lasers on skin blood flow were measured on three different devices to establish the effect of scalp blood flow. His findings revealed that scalp blood flow was increased by 54%.

Scientific Evidence

The principles of Low Level Laser Therapy or photo-biotherapy are as old as sunlight itself. However, harnessing and refining the therapy with low reactive lasers is relatively new. Low Level Lasers are "soft" lasers, often referred to as "cold" laser, and do not have the thermal component to cut, burn or vaporize tissue. Low Level Light Laser Therapy is based on this scientific principle which occurs when laser light is absorbed by the cells, stimulating cell metabolism that enables damaged cells to repair themselves. Photo-biochemical changes in cells can be achieved only when the correct amount of light energy is delivered at the appropriate wavelength.

Light Energy

Normal white light produces a thermal effect in the skin. This is due to its relatively high-energy out put, with a large share of is light in the infrared spectrum being absorbed by the water in the outer cell structure. Laser light, with one specific wavelength, penetrates deep into the layers of skin and is absorbed, provoking a photo-biochemical chain reaction. Laser energy (photons) penetrate deep into these tissues and are absorbed by deeper cell structures, resulting in a photo-biochemical chain of cellular and sub-cellular events. Low Level Light Therapy is clinically proven in European studies to stimulate these cellular and sub-cellular events, leading to a dramatic increase in microcirculation of blood supplies, cessation of hair loss and stimulation of hair re-growth.

Living cells utilize light and your hair is not different. Laser works by penetrating into soft tissue and increasing the action of adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that is a carrier of energy from one reaction site to another in all living cells.

Laser Light increases the energy available to cells so they take in nutrients faster and get rid of waste products. Accoring to the German biophysicist Fritz-Albert Popp, living cells actually give out ultra weak photons (light) with very similar characteristics as laser.