The Benefits of LLLT

“LLLT”. This stands for “low level light therapy” or “low level laser therapy”. Low level laser therapy is a safe form of light treatment. It is being used to treat the genetic forms of hair loss common in men and women, androgenetic alopecia or pattern balding.

The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: growth (anagen phase), resting (telogen phase) and shedding (catagen phase). Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia depends on a testosterone derivative in the skin, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Low level laser therapy is believed to increase blood flow in the scalp and stimulate metabolism in catagen or telogen follicles, resulting in the production of anagen hair.

In theory:

• The photons of light act on cytochrome C oxidase leading to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is converted to cyclic AMP in the hair follicle cells, releasing energy and stimulating metabolic processes necessary for hair growth.
• Release of nitric oxide from cells leads to increased vascularisation to the scalp distributing nutrients and oxygen to the hair roots.
• Excessive build-up of DHT is prevented.

Low level laser thereapy can be used in both men and women and no adverse effects have been reported. LLLT is clean and painless. Low level laser hair therapy is relatively inexpensive and requires minimal time commitment. Hair growth will occur on the top of the head/crown and along the hairline of forehead as well as fill in your bald spots. Improvement is reported in some users after 6 to 20 weeks of use, with reduced hair fall and noticeable hair growth. All results vary from person to person.

Source(s): http://lighttherapyoptions.com/2013/05/red-light-therapy-for-hair-loss/, http://www.dermnetnz.org/procedures/laser-for-hair-loss.html