Laser Cap(LLLT) vs. PRP

Hair Loss Treatments- Laser Cap (LLLT) Vs. PRP 

 

Hair loss is a problem that most people would probably prefer to avoid if possible. However, unfortunately, more than 80 percent of men and 50 percent of women will experience some level of hair loss in their lifetimes.

 

Many people who are experiencing hair loss turn to a wide variety of hair loss treatments to try to restore their hair to its former glory and to prevent any more of it from falling out. 

 

These treatments can include special shampoos, vitamins, over-the-counter medications and more. Low-level laser (light) therapy, also known as LLLT and platelet-rich plasma therapy are two common treatments that people are also using right now to deal with hair loss. 

 

What is LLLT/Laser Cap Therapy? 

Low-level laser (light) therapy is a type of hair loss treatment in which a device containing laser lights is applied to the scalp. Most commonly, “laser caps” are used to administer LLLT. A laser cap is a cap that has laser lights built into it that is placed directly on the scalp. Once the laser cap is correctly positioned, the device is turned on and laser light shines directly onto the scalp. 

 

LLLT helps to increase hair growth because the specific frequency of the laser light stimulates the hair follicles to produce more hair. LLLT also increases oxygenation and blood flow while triggering cellular repair. 

 

Does LLLT Work for Hair Loss? 

LLLT has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective. In fact, according to this study, LLLT resulted in a 37% increase in hair growth in subjects without causing any side effects. There have been many other studies for LLLT that yielded similar results. 

 

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy? 

Platelets are a component of blood, just like red and white blood cells. Platelets are used by the body to generate healing. For example, if you have a cut in your skin, the body will send a bunch of platelets to the area to accelerate the healing process. 

 

Because platelets are so beneficial for healing, hair loss researchers began to speculate that if they could generate platelet-rich plasma and apply it to the scalp, then it might stimulate hair growth. 

 

Platelet-rich plasma is created by taking a blood sample and putting it in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood sample at such an accelerated rate that it separates the components of the blood. This makes it easier possible for medical professionals to extract the platelet-rich plasma. 

 

Once the platelet-rich plasma is created and extracted from the centrifuge, it is then injected into certain areas of the scalp where there is a lot of hair loss. The goal is for the abundance of growth factors and proteins in the PRP to stimulate healing and induce hair growth on the scalp. 

 

Does PRP Work for Hair Loss? 

 

PRP therapy is a relatively new treatment in the hair loss world. For this reason, fewer studies have been done and there is less proof of its effectiveness compared to other treatments like LLLT. 

 

However, with that being said, there have been some studies that show that PRP might have some positive effects on hair loss. For example, this study showed that PRP increased hair diameter, increased hair density, and reduced hair loss in subjects. So, yes, PRP seems to be showing promise as a hair loss treatment. However, the effects of PRP are not as widely understood as other methods like LLLT. 

 

Pros and Cons of LLLT 

Pros 

• There are no serious side effects 
• It has been scientifically proven to be effective in numerous studies 
• This treatment is non-invasive 
• It is discreet if you use the right product 
• Does not require any needs or blood draws 
• Only requires a couple of 20-to-30-minute sessions per week 
• Can easily be done at home by yourself 
• You can see results in a matter of months 
• This technology has been safely used for decades 
• There is an abundance of supporting research and positive customer testimonials

 

Cons 

• Some people think it is too expensive 
• 100% hair regrowth for every person cannot be guaranteed 

 

Pros and Cons of PRP 

Pros 

• Some initial studies show increased hair diameter and density for the treatment 
• It is an innovative treatment 
• It gets more platelets to the scalp, which can stimulate healing 
• Platelet-rich plasma has been successfully used since the 1980s to help with other health issues such as muscle and ligament damage 

 

Cons 

• This can be a costly treatment ranging around $2,000-$4,000+
• Requires three separate treatments are needed along with a maintenance treatment every 4-6 months 
• Considered invasive, it requires the use of needs to draw blood and inject the PRP into the scalp 
• It can be painful or create discomfort
• It is a relatively new treatment which means that there is not a large body of evidence and success stories 
• Recommended that you go to an expert for this. 
• More difficult treatment option

 

Are Both Hair Loss Treatments Safe? 

LLLT is one-hundred percent safe. It has been proven to be safe through many decades of use and many different studies. PRP, on the other hand, while still considered to be safe, is the riskier of the two treatment options. This is because it involves drawing blood and then injecting it. This is a much more invasive procedure that could potentially lead to injections, damaged blood vessels, or other complications. Every time blood is injected or drawn, there is a potential for something going wrong medically. 

 

Which One Should I Try First? 

We believe that you should definitely try LLLT first. There are a number of reasons why this is the case. The first is because it is much safer. With LLLT, you do not have to draw any blood or deal with any injections. Therefore, you have a reduced risk of anything bad happening to you medically. 

 

The second reason why you should try LLLT first is because LLLT has a more extensive history of being used effectively for hair loss. In fact, it is very easy to find testimonials from many different people all over the internet claiming that it worked wonders for them. Positive reviews of PRP therapy are much harder to find. This is because it has not been used as a hair loss treatment for that long. 

 

Another important reason why you should strongly consider going with LLLT first is that you can administer the treatment yourself in the comfort of your home. You won’t have to go visit a medical provider repeatedly to get the treatment done. With LLLT therapy, administering the treatment is literally as easy as wearing a baseball cap for a half-hour a couple of times a week. 

 

Can You Use LLLT After PRP To Enhance Results 

 

There is a limited amount of research on the effects of using both treatments together to boost results. But, if you want to use PRP first and then use LLLT afterward, to try to get better results, then there is no reason why you can’t try using both. However, you should give your scalp adequate time to heal after the PRP therapy is completed before you start the LLLT therapy. 

 

It makes more sense to try LLLT first and then only do PRP if you do not see any results from LLLT. LLLT is safer and has a better track record of success. So, why not try this option first? 

 

Conclusion 

Both LLLT and PRP have been proven to improve hair growth in scientific studies. However, laser cap therapy has significantly more proof of effectiveness and has decades of use as a hair loss treatment. PRP is still a relatively new hair loss treatment and it is unclear whether or not it will last as one because of its invasiveness. 

 

If you are not squeamish around blood or if you don’t mind needles, then PRP could be a good option for you. However, we still feel strongly that you should prioritize LLLT/laser cap therapy. It is just easier, safer, less invasive, more convenient, and has a better track record of success. 

 

When it comes to laser caps, if you are looking for a brand to try out, consider Kiierr. Kiierr is one of the absolute best laser cap brands in the world. 

 

Author Bio

 

 

 

Jolene Anderson is the proud Co-Founder of Kiierr Hair Growth Experts. She has 11 years experience in natural healing, laser therapy hair loss. She’s a caring mom of 2 and passionate about helping others. Connect with her on LinkedIn: Jolene Anderson – Co-Founder @ Kiierr.com