How Does Laser Therapy Treat Hair Loss?

The average person has about 100,000 hairs on their head at any given time, so the fact that you shed about 50-100 hairs every day isn’t a noticeable loss, especially since the lost hair is replaced by new strands. 

However, in some cases, the hair you shed isn't replaced, and hair loss (alopecia) can start to occur. This can come on suddenly or happen gradually. So, if you notice a thinning or receding hairline, excessive shedding, or bald patches, you might be losing your hair. 

Hair loss isn’t dangerous to your health, and some people may not be bothered by significant hair loss. However, others may experience extreme distress and desire a solution to thin hair and bald spots. 

If you’re experiencing hair loss and want some treatment options for it, our team at Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street in Washington, DC, offers a wide range of services to address hair loss, one of them being laser therapy. 

In this blog, we further explore hair loss and how laser therapy can help treat it. 

Why does hair loss happen?

Hair loss can happen for a variety of reasons, and sometimes the cause may not be clear. However, these are some common factors that can raise your risk for hair loss:

• Abnormal hormone levels
• Genetic predisposition to hair loss
• High-stress levels
• Cancer drugs such as chemotherapy
• Some medications like beta blockers or birth control
• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or alopecia areata 
• Certain medical conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes
• Poor nutrition or vitamin deficiencies 
• Wearing tight hairstyles 

While some of these hair loss causes can be addressed at the source like changing your diet, reducing stress levels, or avoiding wearing your hair in tight ponytails, others like genetics are out of your control and may need treatment specifically for hair loss. 

How laser therapy can treat hair loss

The first lines of treatment for hair loss include topical treatments such as minoxidil or oral medications such as finasteride. In cases of extreme hair loss, hair transplant surgery might be the best solution. 

Another more recently discovered treatment for hair loss is low-level laser therapy. It’s been shown to help with milder hair loss that’s mostly due to age or genetics. 

During this treatment, a low-dose laser is directed toward thinning or balding areas to stimulate hair growth. You need repeated treatments, but after a few sessions, you should notice not only new hair growth but hair that’s thicker and stronger. 

To learn about how laser therapy can help with mild to moderate hair loss, schedule an appointment with our Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street team by calling our office or booking online today.