Bernstein Medical Blog

This page contains all posts in our News, Answers, Video, and Research sections.

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Could Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Benefit Women?

April 17th, 2007

Q: I am a 33 year old woman and have been told my hair is too thin on the sides for me to have a hair transplant. Could I benefit from laser treatments?

A: Although the long-term benefits on hair growth are not known, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is able to stimulate hair to become fuller in appearance in the clinical trials that have been carried out for six month periods.

Since the laser light serves to thicken fine, miniaturized hair, it is particularly suitable to areas of diffuse thinning, rather than areas of complete baldness.

Since hair loss in women commonly has a diffuse pattern, because women can’t take Propecia (finasteride), and the fact that women are less often candidates for surgery (as compared to men), laser therapy in females is particularly appealing.

How Does the Laser Therapy (LLLT) Hair Loss Treatment Work?

April 16th, 2007

Q: I heard about the laser comb and other lasers for hair loss, how do they work?

A: Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is based on the scientific principle of photobiotherapy. Photobiotherapy occurs when laser light, absorbed by cells, causes stimulation of cell metabolism and improved blood flow.

Although the exact mechanism by which lasers promote hair growth is still unknown, they appear to stimulate the follicles on the scalp by increasing energy production and partially reversing the miniaturization process leading to thicker hair shafts and a fuller look.

What is Origin of Laser Therapy for Hair Loss?

April 13th, 2007

Q: Is the use of Low Level Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) for hair loss new?

A: These lasers have been used for hair loss in Europe for almost ten years. Classified as a cosmetic laser, they are safe for human cosmetic use.

The original research in this technology was carried out at the Wellman Labs for Photomedicine at Harvard University.

What Are “Cold Lasers” in Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)?

April 12th, 2007

Q: I have heard the term “cold lasers,” what exactly are they?

A: The lasers used in Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) are referred to as “cold lasers” because they are able to alter tissue function without having to raise the temperature of the target tissue above 37 degrees C (body temp).

When Can I Resume Smoking After a Hair Transplant?

April 11th, 2007

Q: I had my hair transplant done 10 days back, I was a regular smoker (8-10) cigarettes every day from last 10 years. I have stopped smoking from the day of my surgery, how long should I stop smoking after surgery? — E.D., Glendale, N.Y.

A: I would wait a minimum of 10 days, but the longer the better. The nicotine in the smoke constricts blood vessels and decreases the oxygen to the tissues and the carbon dioxide in smoke displaces the oxygen. Both chemicals retard healing.

Will Hair Cut Affect Hair Growth?

April 9th, 2007

Q: Will cutting my hair short – skin level – adversely affect it? — M.H., Larchmont, NY

A: Hair shafts are not alive (only the follicle is), so cutting the hair will not affect its growth.

Can Propecia Cause Hair Thinning?

April 6th, 2007

Q: I am 22 yrs old and I started shedding hair in a very limited form since I was 20. I have now been on Propecia for nearly 8 months. To date I have not experienced any benefit. In fact, I have seen my hair continue to thin. Is it possible that this thinning is a result of Propecia? — M.M., Boston, Massachussetts

A: Usually the shedding associated with finasteride will subside by 6 months.

If you are still losing hair at 8 months, most likely the medication is not working. Unfortunately, it is not effective in about 15% of patients.

Is it Possible to Lose Hair Transplant Grafts Without Bleeding?

April 5th, 2007

Q: Five days after my hair transplant I shampooed, rubbing the transplanted area vigorously using my finger tips and all the scabs fell off. Is it possible I have dislodged some of the grafts even though they didn’t bleed? If there was no bleeding, is it enough to assume all the new transplanted follicles stayed in place? — N.D., Redding, C.T.

A: At five days after a hair transplant the grafts are pretty secure, but still can be dislodged.

However, if there was no bleeding, it is unlikely that you lost any grafts.

Can a Hair Transplant Treat Hair Loss that begins in the Early 20s?

April 4th, 2007

Q: I am in my early 20’s and I was told my hair loss pattern is a Norwood Class 6, on its way to becoming a Class 7. My hair is brown in color and medium to coarse and I was told I have high density in my donor area. Although I was told I could have hair transplants, do you think that I should based upon what I have told you? — D.W., Pleasantville, N.Y.

A: The main concern I would have is that when someone is already a Class 6 by their early 20’s, he may eventually be left with only a very thin see-through fringe as he ages. A high donor density now does not ensure that this will not occur – and coarse hair at 22 does not ensure that it will not become fine over time.

Can My Hair be Thinning Without Shedding?

April 2nd, 2007

Q: I seem to be thinning, but I never shed hair as such in the shower. I cannot see my hair falling out. Can it be androgenetic hair loss? — R.C., Cambridge, MA

A: In androgenetic hair loss one rarely sees hair falling out in mass, but rather the thinning is due to the hair decreasing in diameter and length (a process called “miniaturization”).

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