Laser & Light Technology  

International Hair Loss Clinic By Dr. Santiago Alvarez, William C. Blatter, B.S., M.M., Dr. Michael Fuhrman

Fifty percent of all women will have thinning hair by middle age, and more and more are turning to medical treatments like low level laser treatment for Fifty percent of all women will have thinning Fifty percent of all women will have thinning hair by middle age, and more and more of them are turning to medical treatments like low level laser treatment for help. More than 352 million men and women suffering hair loss in the USA and Europe alone. Although men are still a slightly larger percent of hair loss suffers, women are the fastest growing number and the most underserved group. Fifty percent of all women will have thinning hair by middle age, and more and more of them are turning to medical treatments like low level laser treatment for help.

Laser therapy has been widely used for years in vision correction, orthopedic surgery, wound healing, fighting acne, and a wide range of other medical treatments. Although the laser technology was cleared by the FDA to re‐grow hair, the Hair Loss Control Clinic (HLCC™)has been utilizing lasers as part of their   programs for over 16 years. Now with more than 94 locations in 21 countries, President of HLCC™ Bill Blatter shares the secret to growing their business, even in a down economy. “It’s no secret,” claims Blatter. More and more physicians, aesthetics clinics, hair restoration surgeons, finding their way into the  laser hair loss laser treatment. The cellular effects of LLLT are being employed in the use of low level laser or light therapy for the treatment of baldness and stimulation of hair growth. THE SCIENCE Mechanisms for Low Level Light Therapy The cellular effects of LLLT are being employed in The cellular effects of LLLT are being employed in the use of low level laser or light therapy for the treatment of baldness and stimulation of hair growth. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for hair loss treatment uses the well‐ known principal of Photobiostimulation. Photobiostimulation is the biochemical, non‐thermal effect that results from exposure of living tissue to various dosages of energy at varying wavelengths emitted from low level lasers. A Three‐Phased Western IRG approved study released at the ISHRS (International Society for Hair Restoration Surgeons) in Amsterdam, Netherlands in June 2009 by Dr. Grant F. Koher called Effect of Laser Biostimulation In The Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss showed after 52 treatments (26 weeks) 100% of the subjects presenting an upward historical linear trend of hair growth from the beginning to the end of the treatments, 97% of the subjects presented an increased hair count of  ≥20%, 77% of the subjects presenting a hair count increase of ≥51%. Various studies, including a double blind study submitted to the FDA, have shown a number of mechanisms on how Photo biostimulation effects hair growth. Doctor Michael R. Hamblin, Ph.D., a Principal Investigator at the Wellman Center for Photo Medicine and an Associate Massachusetts General Hospital Professor of Dermatology at the Harvard School of Medicine, recently presented new and updated information on the mechanism of action for “laser biostimulation” at the ISHRS 17t h Annual Scientific Meeting. He states, “Several laboratories, including ours, have reported the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria of cells during low‐ level light therapy (LLLT) and the release of nitric oxide from intracellular binding proteins including cytochrome c oxidase. Several redox‐sensitive transcription factors are known, such as NF‐kB and AP1, that are able to initiate transcription of genes involved in protective responses to oxidative stress. We have demonstrated activation of NF‐kB in several cell lines and primary cells by different wavelengths, and fluencies of red and NIR light. Genes that are targets of NF‐kB fall into groups of anti apoptotic proteins, antioxidant proteins, proproliferation proteins, acute phase response, adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines, and proinflammatory proteins. Released NO may also have major roles to play considering its protective    vasodilator functions. The cellular effects of LLLT are being employed\ in the use of low level laser or light therapy for the treatment of baldness and stimulation of hair growth. Various devices like laser combs and hairdryer‐type hoods are used to deliver red laser light to the scalp and encourage new hair growth in patients with thinning hair. Reduction of cell death in the hair follicle, the increase in the number of follicles in the Anagen phase, and the increase in hair pigmentation, has all been observed.”¹ FIVE DISTINCT EFFECTS KNOWN TO OCCUR 1‐Increased ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) and protein synthesis – causing an increase in osmotic cellular function; 2‐ Increased cell proliferation (Growth); 3‐Increased protein synthesis, causing a change in cell membrane permeability; 4‐Increased blood circulation by 54% after only one treatment, providing a supply of nutrients to the hair follicle; 5 ‐Increased capillary size under the hair follicle. More and more studies by physicians are the great results provided by LLLT for hair loss. Before Treatments with Low Level Laser Therapy.

After Treatments OTHER RECENT STUDIES CITED FDA Clears laser to promote hair growth ‐ a recent Study showed that a laser HLCC has been using in treatment programs had 19 new hairs per centimeter on 93% of the people in the study. This was a double blind study which included a sham device* A new study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology showed a\ 93% increase in hair among the respondents in the study using the laser.  Other Recent Studies Cited A laser received certification by the Canadian Government to claim and indicate that it strengthens hair, prevents hair loss, and stimulates re‐ growth of hair in men and women. Long‐term international and Recent Clinical Trials with the laser suggests many benefits from laser hair treatments.

More than 90% of laser users achieve  positive  benefits and results. Preliminary results of a\ retrospective study currently under way by hair loss clinic chains shows well over 95% of clinic clients re‐grow hair. A number of other studies currently under way including ones approved by prestigious IRB boards. Hair Max Laser Comb® 510 Clearance document 2007 Dr. Santiago Alvarez has practiced Medicine since 1980. He is Board Certified and runs a Hair Loss Clinic and Aesthetics Practice in Moreno Valley, CA. He states, “As a Doctor, I have seen laser therapy work first hand for about 95% of my patients. We stop hair loss almost 99% of the time. I’m really glad I added laser therapy to my practice and more importantly, my patients are even happier.” Dr. Martin Unger is a Founding Member, 1st President and Diplomate (certified specialist), and Examiner for the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. Dr. Unger has been a consultant for both the US FDA and Health Canada and has been previously quoted in other published articles saying, “LLLT increases the energy in the cells…. It is like the fuel, the gasoline of cells,” explains Unger, considered an international authority in the field of hair loss. “It increases collagen synthesis and protein synthesis. It decreases inflammation in the area and increases the circulation by making blood vessels in the area larger and also creating new blood vessels.” Unger also cites a clinical study he supervised which found that the laser therapy resulted in 86% of patients re‐growing hair, while another 11% stopped losing hair. The study was done by Dr. Roy Geronemus.³ More and more famous transplant doctors like Dr. Craig Ziering (having completed 15,000 hair transplants and recently featured on the Doctors Show); Dr. Allan Bauman, a distinguished panelist about LLLT at the recent ISHRS convention in Amsterdam, Netherlands (featured on Dateline NBC, Good Morning America, the New York Times and many other TV shows and magazines) have incorporated LLLT into their clinics. Before Treatment    

After Treatment Today’s reality: Although the results of LLLT are impressive, both in published studies and improperly supervised treatment facilities, there is a large variation in its application and use. Far too many non‐medical companies are starting to get into the business; and unfortunately some lack the dedication, discipline, training, and proper medical treatment methodologies to best treat patients. This “void” is starting to be filled by aesthetic physicians across the county. Dr. Victoria Hagstrom, an Aesthetic and Hair Transplant Surgeon from Minnesota said, “In Minneapolis we’re starting to see nonmedical businesses profit from offering LLLT. “I feel strongly that my partnerships with Neograft and HLCC™ allow me to provide the most advanced medical and surgical treatments available today for the most comprehensive, successful outcomes possible for hair restoration.” REFERENCES 1. Doctor Michael R. Hamblin, Ph.D. is a Principal Investigator at the Wellman Center for Photo Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Harvard School of Medicine. 2. JL Satino M Markou (2003), Intl Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology, Vol.5, No 2. 3. Dr. Roy Geronemus and Dr. Martin Unger. Hair Loss Control Clinic and stimulation of hair growth.