How It Works
How Does the Sunetics Laser Grow Hair?
Click Here to view animation in a new window
Sunetics Laser Devices use Low Level Laser Technology (LLLT) for the stimulation and regeneration of hair follicles. When a hair follicle suffers from poor blood flow or from the build-up of a hormone by product called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hair follicle progressively diminishes until it no longer produces a hair shaft. Sunetics Laser devices deliver gentle, nourishing laser light directly to the scalp, increasing blood flow to follicles, increasing the delivery of nutrients to the weakened hair follicles and dramatically increasing the follicles ability to dispose of cellular waste and chemical by-products. The Sunetics laser infuses the follicles with the energy needed to stimulate dramatic growth factors, greatly extend the growth phase, and help restore a healthy hair cycle.
Sunetics Laser devices utilize Laser Phototherapy that generate visible light in the red light spectrum, which has been clinically proven to successfully treat hair loss and stimulate hair follicles, promoting hair growth in weakened follicles and strengthening current hair growth. Over a period of several months of treatment, users of the Sunetics Laser devices will notice less hair in their brushes and drains and see increases in hair strength and density, as well as regrowth of diminished hairs. The steady progression of hair growth from the Sunetics Laser can be seen in 3 stages:
Three Stages of Sunetics Hair REGROWTH
1. Decrease in excessive hair loss.
2. Current hair becomes thicker, fuller, shinier, and healthier.
3. Diminished hair regrows into normal, thick, terminal hair.
Male, 34 years old - After 6 Months
Submitted by Dr. Bruce H. Marko - Charlotte, NC
Female, 56 years old -After 8 Months
Submitted by Dr. Shelly A. Friedman - Phoenix, AZ
Understanding Hair Growth - How Lasers Regrow Hair - Mechanisms of Actions
Understanding Hair Growth
Before we explain in detail the ways in which the Sunetics Laser devices effect hair growth, it is important to understand the natural growth cycle of a hair follicle. This is important because without truly understanding what happens in the hair growth process, it is not only difficult to appreciate the benefits of the Sunetics Laser devices, but it also makes it difficult to appreciate what your hair is actually going through.
First there is the Anagen Phase, or growth phase. The hair follicle is in a continuous cycle of creation, transition and rest. Almost like a normal 24hr work day, but extended over a period of about 2-6 years. This first phase is the time in the growth cycle when the papilla inside the hair follicle is producing keratin. Keratin is the protein substance that makes up the hair shaft and your finger nails and toe nails. During this phase, the hair follicle keeps the papilla supplied with nutrients and it produces about 6 inches of keratin a year. Depending on stressors, hormones and genetics, this phase lasts for anywhere between 2-6 years.
Next is the Catagen or transitional phase. This phase lasts about 1-3 weeks and is essentially the period in the cycle when the hair follicle renews itself and the papilla rests. During this time, the papilla detaches itself from the nutrient supply and the hair follicle shrinks to 1/6 its normal size due to disintegration.
Following the Catagen Phase is the Telogen or rest phase. This phase lasts anywhere from 1-4 months. At any one time, 10-15% of hair follicles are in this stage.
Depending on hormones, stressors, body chemicals and genetics, when the hair follicle enters the Telogen Phase, it may never emerge from it. This is where the Sunetics Laser device steps in.
After this stage ends, the papilla reattaches to the nutrients supply at the base of the hair follicle and begins to grow again. The proceeding hair that remained in the hair follicle from the last Anagen Phase is pushed out by the new hair and the growth cycle begins again.
How Lasers Regrow Hair
After decades of research, scientists have confirmed that this particular spectrum of light, the red spectrum, is the most effective range to encourage hair growth in the following ways:
-
First, by invigorating the hair follicles and increasing the length of the Anagen (growth) Phase.
The red spectrum laser light increases the amount of the coenzyme adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This coenzyme fuels the cellular structures that make up the hair follicle and the papilla or matrix of the hair that produces keratin that eventually becomes the visible cortex or hair shaft. Scientific studies show that increases in the amount of ATP cause the individual cells, and in this case, those within the hair follicle, to increase their activity and cell division rates. As we have seen, the increase of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the follicular cells is vital as this coenzyme is an “energy transporter”. As more ATP becomes available to the follicular sites, the papilla's production of keratin dramatically increases. As the new keratin cells die off, the papilla cells continue their production of keratin and the hair becomes longer. As explained above, this is known as the Anagen or growth phase of the follicle. Typically, this cycle lasts anywhere from 2-6 years and can be effected by such things as genetics and poor blood flow. The Sunetics Laser devices red spectrum laser light combats these factors and increases the Anagen Phase of the hair follicles.
-
Second, by helping to increase circulation to the scalp.
The energy from the red spectrum laser light also helps to increase the blood flow and circulation in the scalp by reducing swelling caused by the build-up of waste products and dead cells. It also decreases the cell miniaturization caused by dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The increase in blood flow caused by the red spectrum laser light encourages and expedites the removal of these harmful factors, which can lead to healthier, stronger hair follicles and helps to prevent the hair follicle from entering a prolonged or permanent Telogen or rest Phase. By increasing the blood flow in the scalp, the Sunetics Laser devices dramatically lengthen the Anagen Phase, shortens the time the follicle spends in the Catagen Phase and decreases the time the follicle needs to spend in the Telogen Phase. Over all, this causes hair to grow longer, stronger, thicker hair shafts while maintaining a healthy, vibrant and strong hair follicle.
Michael R. Hamblin, PhD
-
Harvard Medical School
-
Wellman Center for Photomedicine
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Michael R. Hamblin, PhD
Tatiana N. Demidova
-
Harvard Medical School
-
Wellman Center for Photomedicine
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Mechanisms of Action
Physiological Benefits
-
Improves blood microcirculation to follicle
-
Increases the nutrient acquisition by the follicular organ
-
Increases the rate of removal of harmful DHT
-
Increases oxygen uptake
-
Decreases follicular inflammation
Cellular Benefits
-
Improves cellular metabolism and protein synthesis
-
Increases the production of ATP to energize & repair the weakened follicle
-
Increases cellular stimulation of the follicle
-
Increases the mobilization of calcium ions
