Landmark Study on Ex-Vivo Growth of Hair Exposed to Laser PhotoTherapy

December 26, 2010

Study proves that laser energy stimulates the growth of hair ex-vivo

BOCA RATON, FL – First of a kind data from a study conducted by Laboratoire Bio-EC, Paris France on the on ex-vivo growth of hair from Low Level Laser Light exposure of hair follicles maintained in Philpott hair culture medium were presented at the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS) by Dr. Michael Hamblin.

Michael Hamblin, PhD, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School/Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, is one of the foremost researchers in the field of Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) and Photodynamic Therapy. He presented important data from this study which compared a dose of laser energy and a reference dose on the ex-vivo growth of hair to show that laser energy stimulated hair growth. Isolated follicles were placed in the Philpott hair culture medium, exposed to the laser doses, and measured for hair length increases. Analysis of hairs grown ex-vivo exposed to the two laser doses, were photographed at regular intervals over ten days.

The conclusion of the study was that the wave length dose studied induced statistically significant ex-vivo increase in hair growth vs. control dose at the conclusion of the study.

This significance of these results is that for the first time a study has documented ex-vivo hair growth in isolated hairs using laser stimulation. The results conclusively indicated that laser energy stimulated proliferation in the hair matrix. This is the first time that data has been presented at a medical conference showing positive reaction on ex-vivo hair growth from laser energy exposure.

For a complete copy of article click this link.

Fighting Hair Loss

December 20, 2010

Low-light level lasers, in combination with traditional therapy, are a powerful adjunct in the battle against hair loss.

By David P. Melamed, MD, MSc

Healthy Aging Magazine

A new era of nonsurgical hair restoration technology is here for men with hair loss.

We all know that hair loss can be emotionally devastating for women; hair has long been a symbol of feminine beauty and sensuality. But hair loss in men is no less devastating. Men report reduced self-esteem, difficulty dating and trouble securing a new job. A balding hairline makes a man look and feel older than he is.

Many men with hair loss have dreamed of the “magic bullet,” the special vitamin or treatment that will reverse hair loss. Surgical hair treatments, such as hair transplantation, scalp reduction, flaps and tissue expansion, are available. So is medication, such as Minoxidil and Propecia. However, most treatments have been disappointing, usually saving the hair that’s already there, but doing little to grow back the hair that’s already lost.

For obvious reasons, most men are skeptical of treatments that promise to reverse hair loss. But a new era of hair restoration technology, using “cold” laser hair therapy (LHT), offers hope for those who don’t have advanced hair loss. LHT alone and in combination with topical andlor oral medications has produced excellent results for men and women. Also known as “cold” lasers, LHT uses therapeutic soft low-light level lasers (LLLL) that were developed in Europe for healing wounds, treating hair loss and other diseases of the scalp.

The laser uses a pure visible red light at 633 nm, the optimum wavelength and frequency to stimulate a dramatic increase in micro-circulation of blood supply in the scalp. This increases cellular metabolism and promotes the repair of damaged cells and weakened hair follicles, leading to the cessation of hair loss and the stimulation of hair re-growth. The exact mechanism of action for visible red LHT at the cellular and sub-cellular level is not clear. However, current evidence suggests the effects are based on enhanced cell proliferation. Specific biological effects can be seen by irradiating a cel1.1 In particular, 633 nm light directly affects the physical state of pore molecules.

The physical state of a cell is affected by changing the permeability to calcium ions. An abrupt and transient increase in calcium ion concentrations act as intracellular messengers. This photochemical change affects the mito-chondria, and, in turn, messenger RNA synthesis, which ultimately leads to the observed enhancement of cell proliferation.

(for the complete PDF of this click here)

Reported Studies of LLLT in Hairloss (Male / Female)

December 8, 2010

Professor Andre Mester (1964)

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 wound 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 was amazed to find sores that would not otherwise heal were healed, and 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 hairloss treatments. Laser researcher Dr. J. Layton Wright states: … “Laser Hair Therapy increases microcirculation of the hair follicle, which allows nutrients and freshly oxygenated blood to access the hair follicle with the results being a stimulation of the natural hair growth cycle.”

Dr. Trelles (1984)

In 1984, Dr. Trelles showed in one study that patients with alopecia areata who were treated with He-Ne 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 a couple of weeks. The He-Ne laser was placed 30 centimeters from the alopecia areata with dosages ranging from 3-4 Joule per sq. cm. No fibres or lenses were used. In the same study, microscopic evaluation of the hair shaft structure on the alopecia areata irradiated areas showed a clear medulla rich in keratin after treatment. Daily treatments appeared to prevent regrowth, causing irritation with probable increase in hairloss.

Japan Laser Therapy Association (1992)

At the 4th 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 follicles in the laser treated areas of both male and female stress alopecia and alopecia areata with only one failure out of 40 cases reported in two papers.

Laser Conference, Helsinki Finland (1993)

An unpublished study presented at Laser Conference, Helsinki, Finland 1993 shows the effect of LLLT on Androgenetic Alopecia. A double-blind comparative study with placebo laser for treatment of Hereditary Androgenetic Alopecia in young males was presented in Helsinki 1993 describing the positive effect of LLLT treatments on hair growth, stop of hairloss and hair shaft tensile strength. At the Helsinki Laser Conference research results demonstrating the effect of LLLT compared to a placebo group was presented. It was found that hair re-growth was clearly shown in the laser group. In addition all patients, with the exception of one, in the laser-treated group showed a complete stop of hairloss. All patients, except 3, showed a clear hair re-growth of hair 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 pretreatment, although a number of new follicles could be seen with clearly noticeable hair growth. 50% of the follicles are now in the anagen phase (growth). When comparing the histological findings, transformation into anagen 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 showed 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.

Prof. Pekka J. Pöntinen (1996)

Professor Pöntinen is one of the pioneers of LLLT in Scandinavia thorough theoretical and practical studies on how to apply low level laser therapy in the treatment of chronic, especially musculoskeletal and myofascial pain and dysfunction, vascular disturbances, wound and ulcer treatment etc. Prof. Pekka J. Pöntinen established the beneficial effect of Laser Hair Care® on scalp blood flow and published his results in 1996. The effects of hair lasers on skin blood flow were measured on three different devices to establish the effect of scalp blood flow. The hair lasers used were Laser Hair Care (670 nm ), a He-Ne (632.8 nm ) laser containing one laser transferring light via fibres and lenses to the patient and a laser identical to the Laser Hair Care where the lasers were replaced (placebo). The differences in the laser systems are illustrated by the fact that Laser Hair Care increased scalp blood flow by 54%. The He-Ne hair laser had no effect while the Placebo decreased flow rate by 36%. In addition, the skin temperatures measured before and after the treatment showed little change.

European Studies (1997)

In 1997 a European group of scientist’s published their work on LLLT in the treatment of alopecia of the scalp. The authors tried to verify the efficacy of low energy laser (LLLT) in scalp alopecia. Sixty patients were divided in two groups: A) laser group, 33 patients treated with both LLLT and classical therapy; B) control group, 27 patients treated only with classical therapy, Before, during and after treatment, historical samples were done. For the group A the results were rather superior but in a twice shorter time shorter time than group B. The maintenance of the good results needed classical therapy for a long period. They conclude that LLLT therapy could have a useful complementary method for the treatment of scalp alopecia. The same European group of scientist’s published their findings on LLLT use in the treatment of alopecia and crural ulcers in 1998. The authors tried to verify the efficacy of LLLT in scalp alopecia and crural ulcers of different causes. Laser used was (red diode, continuous emission, 8 mW power, wave length 670 nm spot size about 5 mm diameter on some points. They also use as control classical therapy. Before, during and after treatment, histological samples were taken from alopecia regions. For the laser groups (alopecia and ulcers) the results were rather superior and in a three or twice time shorter than the control group. They conclude that LLLT therapy is a very useful complementary method for the treatment of scalp alopecia and crural ulcers.

Reported Studies of LLLT in Hair Loss (Men & Women)

June 15, 2010

This is a listing of studies beginning in 1964 and culminating in 1997 concerning Low Level Hair Therapy results in both men and women. All of these studies have been published show that LLLT actually retards additional hair loss and in most cases reverses it.

For the complete listing click here

New Study On Low Level Laser Treatement for Hair Regrowth

May 13, 2010

This is one of the best efficacy studies we have been able to locate concerning Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).  While the article describes the use of a hair comb, the effect of the lasers on combating the root causes of hair loss would be expected to be less effective than what the ManeGain Hair Restoration Therapy can offer.  While this article does not highlight ManeGain’s service directly,  it solidly builds the case for LLLT in general.  To read this study please click here.

NASA Study of Electromagnetic Fields on Human Cells (2003)

April 1, 2010

The present investigation details the development of model systems for growing two- and threedimensional human neural progenitor cells within a culture medium facilitated by a time-varying electromagnetic field (TVEMF). The cells and culture medium are contained within a two- or three-dimensional culture vessel, and the electromagnetic field is emitted from an electrode or coil. These studies further provide methods to promote neural tissue regeneration by means of culturing the neural cells in either configuration.

To read this study in its entirety, please click here

Long Term (1 Year) Study Of Low Level Laser

March 5, 2010

This study involved a 1 year study of men and women with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss, MPHL and female pattern hair loss, FPHL).   To date, there had never been a long-term (> 1 year) efficacy of  low lever laser therapy (LLLT) using this population.  This experiment was conducted comparing a laser comb (LDS 100) with a placebo device.  Over a period of 6 months,  240 men with MPHL and 80 women with FPHL were randomized to receive LLLT treatment or placebo treatment. Men and women continued in up to 1 year, placebo controlled extension studies. Efficacy was evaluated by hair counts, patient and investigator assessments, and panel review of clinical photographs.  The results of this treatment sure durable improvements in scalp hair over 1 year (p < 0.001 versus placebo, all endpoints), while treatment with placebo led to progressive hair loss.   The conclusion is that in men with MPHL and in women with FPHL, long-term treatment with LLLT over 1 year was well tolerated, led to durable improvements in scalp hair growth, and slowed the further progression of hair loss that occurred without treatment.

To read the study in its entirety, pleas click here

Laser Induced Cellular Stimulation (1992)

November 8, 2009

This study goes into detail of how low level red laser can increase bio-stimulation at the cellular level.  It also offers some explanations as to how low level lasers (LLL) effect cells on the molecular level.

To review the study in its entirety, please click here

Hair Regrowth and Increased Hair Tensile Strength Using Low Level Laser Therapy

December 26, 2005

by JOHN L. SATINO and MICHAEL MARKOU, D.O.

ABSTRACT
The authors wished to confirm the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) using a Hair-Max LaserComb for the stimulation of hair growth and also to determine what effect LLLT with this device had on the tensile strength of hair. Thirty-five patients, 28 males and 7 females, with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) underwent treatment for a six-month period. Both the hair counts and tensile strength of the hair were affected very beneficially in both sexes in the temporal and vertex regions, with the males and vertex areas showing the most improvement.

INTRODUCTION
ALTHOUGH LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY (LLLT), the therapeutic application of low-energy lasers to medicine, has been used for photobiostimulation for more than thirty years now, in the past it has primarily been used to accelerate the healing of burns or wounds, or alternatively, to ease or relieve pain. Furthermore, LLLT has gained credibility and common usage in some parts of the world, such as Japan, the Scandinavian countries, and Australia, while in other parts of the world, such as North America, a lack of recognition of its efficacy has remained.

Even though there are more than 2,500 papers related to LLLT in the scientific literature,(1) only one printed reference, Professor Pekka Pontinen’s text, was found which actually discussed the use of LLLT “to stimulate hair growth.”(2) Even in this source, the information was limited to one paragraph, which refers to…

For complete paper, click this link.

A comparative study of the effects of electrical stimulation and laser treatment on experimental wound healing in rats

November 25, 2005

A Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development report that investigated the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) and laser treatment on wound healing in rats conducted by Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kayseri, Turkey. A randomized-controlled trial, conducted at the Experimental and Clinical Research Centre of Erciyes University (Kayseri, Turkey), divided 124 healthy female Swiss-Albino rats into four groups.

It was found that both electrical stimulation and laser treatment can be used successfully in decubitis ulcers and chronic wounds, in combination with conventional therapies such as daily care and debridement of wounds; however, electrical stimulation has more beneficial effects during the inflammatory phase in some parameters than laser treatment.

To read the entire study, click here

Older Posts »