Low-Level Laser Therapy
The full name of LLLT therapy is Low Level Laser Therapy, commonly known as low-energy red light therapy. Low-energy laser refers to red light or near-infrared light with low power density.
LLLT has a wide range of effects at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. The basic biological mechanism behind its effects is believed to be the absorption of red light and near-infrared rays (NIR) through chromophores, especially cytochrome c oxidase.
LLLT does not make use of thermal effect, but a photochemical effect, just like the photosynthesis of plants, which produces chemical changes through the absorption of light.
LLLT promotes blood circulation and stimulates the redevelopment of hair follicles and reverses the hair growth cycle, offering a safe and non-invasive treatment option for hair loss patients.
History of LLLT for Hair Growth
The phenomenon was first reported by Endre Mester of the Semmelweis University of Medical Sciences in Budapest, Hungary in 1967, just a few years after the working laser was invented. Mester conducted an experiment to test whether laser radiation could cause cancer in mice. He shaved the backs of the mice, divided them into two groups, and irradiated one with a low-power sapphire laser (694 nm). It turned out that the treated group didn't get cancer, and to his surprise, the hair regrowth more quickly than the unirradiated group. He calls it "laser biostimulation".
Since then, numerous controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that LLLT stimulated hair growth in both men and women. In 2017, LLLT was approved by FDA as a safe treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common type of progressive hair loss in both men and women.
LLLT Hair Growth Treatment
Clinical trials have confirmed that low-energy red light can penetrate the dermis to stimulate mitochondria and promote the growth of hair follicle cells. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) stimulate hair follicle activity and trigger quiescent hair follicle renewal that alleviate the degeneration of cells. It is believed that these positive therapeutic effects served to prolong the duration of anagen phase (rapid growth, active stage), increase the rate of proliferation in active anagen hair follicles and prevent premature catagen development which inhibit further hair fall and revive hair regrowth.
The Low-Level Laser, also known as Cold Laser produces no heat, no pain, and have no side effects.
How Photobiomodulation Promotes Hair Growth?
Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), is a therapeutic technique that uses photons (light energy) to promote chemical activities associated with the mitochondrial function of the cells.
Although the exact LLLT mechanism of action is not completely clear, it is believed that by stimulating the mitochondrial cell metabolism, the biological processes increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which in term increases protein and nutrient production beneficial to hair growth. The increased energy level inhibits 5-alpha reductase, which reduces the level of catagen-inducing dihydrotestosterone (DHT), thus controlling hair thinning.
The illuminated energy also improve micro-blood circulation to the scalp that increases the oxygenation of scalp tissue and stimulates cellular activity. The increased metabolism promotes cell renewal and increases the level of growth factors such as human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stimulating hair follicle growth.
LLLT Hair Growth Treatment
Like other forms of medicine, LLLT has an active ingredient or "drug" (irradiation parameters) and a "dose" (irradiation time).
Energy (J) or fluence (J/cm2) is often used as an important characteristic of low power laser dose, but this ignores the fact that energy has two components, power and time: Energy (J) = Power (W) × time (seconds) There is not necessarily a correlation between them, in other words, if the power is doubled and the time is halved, then although the energy is the same, different biological responses are often observed.
LLLT is therefore best described by two independent sets of parameters: irradiation parameters and duration.
Different wavelengths, pulses, coherence, polarization, etc. have some influence on the magnitude of the hair growth effect with wavelength characteristics being the most important factor.
LLLT used in Hair Growth Therapy radiated at a wavelength of 630-670nm which exhibits excellent penetrative properties. The low-energy red light is most easily absorbed by the scalp and can penetrate deep into the subcutaneous tissue. The absorbed energy stimulates hair follicle rejuvenation, stimulating hair regrowth.
Advantages of LLLT Hair Loss Treatment
Safe and no known side effect
Approved by FDA for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in Females and Males
Short treatment sessions of less than 30 minutes
Promote hair growth after hair transplant surgeries
Used alone or in combination with other hair growth drugs (minoxidil, finasteride) for best therapeutic effects.
Laser vs LED in LLLT
Lasers emit monochromatic, coherent and collimated light; single wavelength light waves that are aligned and travelled in synchronicity. These unique characteristics enable the laser light energy to focus all its power in a narrow direct path to reach the hair bulb, stimulating Photobiomodulation.
LED produces incoherent and non-monochromatic light consisting of a small band of wavelengths and generally have lower power density than laser, inhibiting its ability to trigger Photobiomodulation reaction. LED is commonly used in LLLT (Low Level Light Therapy) devices due to the readily availability and lower cost of LED light source.
Advantages of laser as the energy source for LLLT
Highly focused light energy enables penetration to the dermis layer
More absorption of light energy simulating Photobiomodulation
Kernel LLLLT Hair Growth System
The Hair Growth System Model: KN-8000A is a transportable, non-invasive, low-level laser device intended to treat Androgenetic Alopecia (ANA) and to promote hair growth.
KN-8000A is cleared by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in Females who have Ludwig-Savin Classifications I- II, and in males who have Norwood Hamilton Classifications IIa-V.
Build with more than 400 laser diodes in a dot matrix arrangement for even irradiation.
Two modes of operations - Pulse and Continuous - for different hair loss conditions
Intelligent sensor to ensure the treatment process is safe
Dual protection of switch and password protected
Easy operation - can be operated by trained technical
