Safety First: Learn About The Side Effects of Hair Loss Treatment vs Laser Hair Therapy

Laser therapy is considered to be one of the most effective treatments for hair loss. This guide explores the side effects one may experience in comparison to side effects from other forms of hair regrowth treatments.

Hair loss is more prevalent than most people realize. According to the latest statistics, 80 million men and women in the US alone have some form of hereditary hair loss. In addition to hereditary causes, hair loss can also occur due to age or significant levels of stress. The average human will lose up to a hundred hairs a day and this will largely go unnoticed. If you do start seeing clumps of hair in the shower or notice a receding hairline or a growing hair parting, you may want to consider some form of hair loss treatment.

While there are various hair loss treatments available on the market, some may not be suitable to all hair loss stages or to people with specific hair loss causes and, as such, may not be as effective. In addition to understanding the efficacy of treatments or remedies, we must also explore their side effects.

Minoxidil Compared To Low-Level Laser Therapy for Hair Loss Treatment

If you are exploring over-the-counter medication for hair loss treatment then you will likely be looking at Minoxidil, also known as Regaine or Rogaine. This is the only drug approved by the FDA that can be used by both men and women. It works by prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles. While men are prescribed the 5% strength, it is generally recommended that women use the 2% formula. Though this drug won’t be effective for a noticeable receding hairline, it can stimulate hair growth.

However, as with most drugs, Minoxidil can have side effects including dryness, itching, and scalp irritation. These side effects are more likely if using the strongest solution on the market. It’s also worth noting that if treatment with Minoxidil is halted, hair will likely start falling out again. In some cases, it may even fall out more rapidly after treatment is stopped and, as such, this is not a cure for baldness.

In contrast, the FDA-cleared low-level laser therapy is a safe, non-invasive option with no known side effects.

Finasteride Compared To Laser Treatment For Hair Regrowth

If you are experiencing male pattern baldness this is likely caused by a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone or DHT for short, a male sex hormone that is created when particular enzymes convert testosterone in men's testes and prostate or in women's ovaries. Finasteride stops the body from producing DHT and can be purchased under the name Propecia.

Similar to Minoxidil, this is not a permanent cure for hair loss and results in a similar rapid hair loss cycle when the regimen is halted. It may also cause quite extreme side effects including erectile dysfunction. This is because you will be altering the level of testosterone that your body produces.

Laser hair treatments like a laser cap, also known as laser hat, have no such impact on hormone levels as they are designed to stimulate hair growth through laser technology and not through chemicals or drugs that affect hormones.

So How Does Treatment Like Laser Band, Laser Comb, Laser Cap Or Laser Hat Work?

While the design of these laser hair treatments, such as laser hat vs laser band, might differ, the usage, general impact on hair and hair follicles, and result is the same. The basic concept is that when hair follicles absorb laser light at the right level, hair growth is stimulated. As such, with the right professional treatment, it’s possible to see stellar results with usage of low-level laser treatments to combat hair loss and hair thinning.

Is LED treatment As Effective As Laser Hair Therapy?

You may have heard of LEDs being used to stimulate hair growth. However, reports highlight that LEDs are not as effective because they don’t provide a strong enough light to have a significant impact or any impact at all. For the right effect, the color of the light must be accurate. While laser energy is concentrated through one wavelength, LED light is composed of various wavelengths. The only reason LED light treatment would be recommended is that it is far more cost-effective—for the seller, of course.

The one good news regarding LED treatment is that, much like laser therapy, there are virtually no side effects. However, with this option, it’s still unlikely that one sees the results one hopes for.

Does Laser Therapy Have Any Significant Side Effects?

Laser therapy has a lot of benefits as a hair loss treatment. It’s highly convenient, non-invasive, and designed to be completely painless. It can also boost your hair strength, ensuring that it’s far less likely to fall out. There are virtually no recognized side effects for laser treatment, making it far safer and advisable when compared to other choices.

In contrast, other forms of treatment such as a hair transplant can have significant side effects including bleeding, swelling, aches, and even, ironically, further hair loss.

Why Is Laser Hair Therapy Like Laser Bands The Best Option?

As well as having virtually no side effects, laser treatment for hair loss or thinning hair ensures that the light reaches the hair follicle root and penetrates the scalp—an essential component needed to achieve the level of stimulation required for hair growth and to support stronger hair roots.

Laser hair therapy has also shown to have a 90% success rate in controlled clinical studies on both men and women, compared to other non-invasive hair loss treatments that show far less success rates. Several such studies on laser therapy for hair loss can be found in peer-reviewed medical journals.

The impact of laser therapy can also be significant. In clinical studies, research has shown that there can be an average additional hair count of 129 new hairs per square inch once treatment is complete.

Furthermore, HairMax’s line of laser treatments for hair loss or thinning are FDA-cleared medical devices.

More On Our Laser Devices And Hair Therapy Solutions

Learn more about HairMax®’s line of laser devices for all stages of hair loss and thinning by exploring the How HM Works section of the site. Read about how the laser technology works in an in-depth look on HairMax® technology. If you’re unsure of which device is right for you, complete the hair assessment and receive a free treatment recommendation. Or reach out to us at any time. We put our customers first and are here to help answer your questions.