Laser Treatment Could Stem Baldness
By Lisa Sigell
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Losing your hair? Time to shed a little light on baldness and thinning hair. It affects most men and a surprising number of women, as well. But shine the right kind of light on the problem and you may grow a solution.
After battling a large brain tumor, Dr. Anita Buckler sees every new day as a gift. She endured six weeks of daily radiation treatments and it finally did the trick. Still, there are reminders both mental and physical.
"It zapped my hair… and they warned me it might not ever come back,"
Buckler said.
On its own it didn't. But, when Anita agreed to be zapped again, this time by a low-energy laser, something amazing happened.
"It was very, very successful. I am ecstatic about it," Buckler said.
After a scalp biopsy showed she had some surviving follicles, Anita spent half an hour a week under an array of over 100 laser diodes.
Five months later she had a full head of growing hair.
West LA Hair Restoration specialist Dr. David Melamed didn't treat Dr. Buckler but uses similar technology.
"Over 12 years of scientific data has confirmed that low-level light therapy will stimulate the blood circulation in the scalp and re-activate follicles that were dying and thinning out," Melamed said.
Dr. Melamed uses the Laser light therapy for patients suffering with a variety of hair loss conditions.
"Patients with complete hair loss or baldness are not candidates for laser treatment alone, they would need transplants, etc. This treatment is for people with existing hair follicles, thinning hair, or excessive hair loss."
The doctor says after over a decade of working with patients, typically after three months of treatment, excess hair loss will stop in 90 percent of patients and a majority have some re-growth.
"Where their hair is fuller, stronger, thicker and darker."
But, is this just a gimmick? The doctor says no. "There is over 12 years of science behind this," Melamed said.
Typically, patients would come in three times a week, sit under a machine for 20 minutes. The cost is about $4,000 a year, but the doctor says new treatment options are available.
"This iGrow Laser at-home device works with the exact same technology as an in-office visit and is so much more convenient and there is a money back guarantee. It's about $700 and you wear it every other night for about 20 minutes.
He uses this device along with medications like Rogaine and Propecia.
Dr. Melamed says hair loss does not have to be something you just live with, but it's important to treat it early.
For Dr. Anita Buckler, laser was a last resort and one that worked.
"For women it's really a big self-image thing," Buckler said.
And even as a physician herself, she has no problem recommending this to others.
"It's a modern medical miracle."
The doctor does say this is not for people with complete hair loss or baldness. He says it works best for people in the early stages or hair loss or thinning. If you have rapid hair loss, it's best to consult a doctor -- that may signify a medical condition. Just like hair loss medication, you must continue use to the laser treatment to see results.
For More Information:
Dr. David P. Melamed: www.westlahair.com
Additional information provided by hair restoration Surgeon and Specialist Dr. Craig Ziering:
To find a doctor in your area that uses lasers:
To find information on the IGrow Laser Home Device:
http://www.icangrowhair.com - Dr. Melamed's I Grow Laser Website
http://igrowlaser.com - Apira Science I Grow Laser website
To find information on Laser Brush by Sunetics:
