Does Low Level Laser Therapy Help Fight Against Hair Loss?

Low Level Laser therapy has just been FDA approved for hair loss. Does it really work?

This is currently a hot topic on our hair restoration discussion forums, especially since laser technology has just been FDA approved for hair loss.

Regarding FDA approval, however, it is important to understand exactly how FDA approval works. Whereas finasteride and minoxodil were both approved by the FDA for safety and efficacy, laser technology may have only been approved for safety. Apparently, FDA approval works differently for medical devices than for medication. For more information on how FDA approval works, click here.

I will add that there are some hair loss doctors that use laser therapy as a means to help with the healing process right after a hair transplant, and yet there are others that are offering it as a way to treat hair loss. Does it really work for hair loss? To date, very few hair restoration physicians are buying into it.

Many doctors from what I’ve seen so far remain skeptical and I believe for good reason. Dr. Alan Feller of Great Neck, NY and one of our well respected coalition physicians is one such doctor. See the following thread which contains a link to a video about laser therapy and posts by Dr. Feller discrediting the claim that lasers will actually do anything to combat hair loss.

But Dr. Feller is not the only doctor who is reluctant to buy into laser therapy as a hair loss treatment. Dr. Hugh Rushton “an expert in hair loss” states that he won’t believe that hair loss can be cured by lasers until he sees the proof. “No evidence that I know of shows that laser therapy works.” Later in the video he states: “I have not see any peer information that it works” while referring to laser therapy. Doctors are under ethical obligation to share and pass on any breakthroughs to their peers. You can watch the following video and draw your own conclusions here.

Dr. Bauman, a hair restoration surgeon believes that it might have some effectiveness in combating hair loss. See the detailed thread and debate here.

Currently to date, I do not see any REAL evidence that laser therapy works neither to combat hair loss nor re-grow hair, though I am certainly willing to keep an open mind. But until it’s proven, I do not feel comfortable recommending this treatment as a hair loss remedy.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

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