Share:
On this episode of the Anti-Aging Hacks podcast, I speak with hair loss expert Will Gaunitz on how to use low level laser light devices to grow some of your hair back.
We discuss:
1. How A Trichologist is Very Qualified To Diagnose And Treat Hair Loss
2. Laser Light Therapy And It’s Benefits for Hair Growth
3. How to Use A Laser Light Device To Grow Your Hair, And Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Here are the show notes from our conversation:
3:00 What is a Trichologist
– Scientist of hair and scalp
– Dermatologist focuses on skin system
– Trichologist focuses on hair and scalp only
– For most people with hair loss, it’s better to start with a Trichologist
4:30 How Long Have You Helped Patients With Hair Loss
– Helping patients with hair loss for 18 years
– Has his own hair loss challenges for 23 years
– His routine includes doing something every single day for hair
6:00 Laser Light Therapy For Hair Loss
– Low Level Laser Therapy for hair loss has been around for a long time
– Laser light won Time Magazine’s invention of the year award in 2001
– Red light at 5 mw speeds up cell regeneration in scalp and hair
7:00 Is Low Level Light Therapy safe?
– Has been cleared by the FDA
– Will was one of the people using clinical laser devices
8:30 How do people pick laser light for hair growth?
– There are lots of devices and how much energy is being delivered
– Only a few studies show what really works…one of studies was done at 660 nm at 5mw at 20 mins twice a week. 90% of people had benefit at this energy
– Color of hair and skin matters
– Darker skin and darker hair requires less energy
– If losing hair for <5 years, then the subcutaneous fat layer is less so you can absorb less energy
– Will starts people off at 10 minutes twice a week with 80 diode laser, while taking into account skin type and length of hair loss
– Will uses static beam vs. pulsing beam
12:50 Lighter skin needs more energy vs. darker skin?
– Start with a 80 diode static beam device
– Dark skin, dark hair – 5-10 minutes twice a week
– Light skin light hair – 15-20 minutes twice a week
14:10 Plenty of devices out there. How does a consumer pick one?
– Functionality and compliance is extremely important
– It cannot be hard to use
– Combs….don’t use them, outdated
– Bands…you have to move them, don’t get this either
– Caps….use the right amount of energy, don’t get a device with too much energy. Will sells a laser cap (link below)
– There are clinical devices at a doctor’s office, but you must drive to them
– Will recommends using laser up to two years, and then trickle down, and only use when needed
19:00 Are there any risks with laser devices, or who is not a candidate for lasers?
– Anyone with inflammatory scalp condition, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia areata should not use laser light for hair
– These are autoimmune conditions and pointing lasers at an inflamed scalp can cause flare ups
– If you are on blood thinners, then do not use a laser
– First fix the underlying conditions with nutrition or shampoos and then use a laser
21:20 Can a laser be used for all types of hair loss?
– Can be used for all types with exception of scarring alopecias
– Use it as a growth stimulant, not to stop your hair loss
– If you fix the nutritional loss, then it speeds up the hair growth
Will’s Information:
You can check out the laser cap from Will’s website here.
I use the same device and have seen positive benefits from consistent use.
Check out Will’s DHT blocker on Amazon and on Advanced Trichology