Theradome® and Male Hair Loss
The Theradome™ is cleared for both men and women. Our official FDA male hair loss clearance letters can be seen on the FDA website by clicking here.
The Theradome LH80 PRO is an over-the-counter (OTC) therapeutic device intended to treat Androgenetic Alopecia and promote hair growth in males who have Norwood-Hamilton Classifications of IIa to V patterns of hair loss with Fitzpatrick Skin Types I to IV.
About Male Pattern Hair Loss
The condition is inherited from either one or both parents and causes around 90% of all hair loss in men. It is easily recognised by a pattern of thinning at the crown, forelock or entire top of the head. The back and sides of the scalp are usually unaffected. It is known as male pattern baldness, (MPB) or by its technical term Androgenetic Alopecia. Male pattern baldness can become visibly obvious as early as late teens. For the majority of men it starts to become noticeable in the late 20's or early 30's. Approximately 60% will experience some degree of hair thinning by the time they reach mature years.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
Concerns over male hair loss is not a new thing. Even around 2000 years ago it was thought the hormone Testosterone was the cause of Male Pattern Baldness. Later through scientific studies and observations, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was it was discovered to be the real culprit.
Testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase and specific receptors attract and bind the DHT to the hair follicle. Only certain hair follicles found on the top, back and sides of the head are affected; exactly which hair follicles are affected depends on your genes.
As hair thinning becomes more apparent, hair follicles miniaturize with each progressive cycle, producing shorter, finer hairs. Hair spends much less time in the anagen (growing) phase and more time in the telogen (resting) phase. Eventually the hair follicle is exhausted and can produce no more terminal hairs.
Additional Hair Loss Factors
Although genetic factors are the most common cause of male hair loss, it is possible that some men will suffer hair loss for other reasons. These other hair loss causes may be the sole reason for hair thinning or in addition to male pattern baldness.
Poor health, bad diet, medications, nutritional deficiencies can lead to hair thinning which may be reversible. Anaemia is rare in men but vegetarian men are just as likely to suffer from low iron or vitamin B12 as women and one of the most common symptoms of which is hair thinning. Low vitamin D is also becoming prevalent as we spend less time in the sun and more time indoors.
Testosterone boosters or other body building 'enhancers' can cause hair loss and accelerate male pattern baldness.
Before you begin looking at hair loss treatments, make a critical assessment of your lifestyle and see if there are any areas which could be improved on.
When To Treat Hair Loss
The earlier hair loss is treated, the better. Hair loss treatments of any kind work best when in the beginning stage. In the mid stages, when hair loss becomes more extensive, it may be necessary to combine hair loss treatments to achieve a more cosmetically acceptable result. By the final stage hair loss treatments will have little effect and and other options such as hair transplant surgery or a hair replacement system may result in a more satisfactory cosmetic appearance.
Theradome® can be used alongside topical hair loss treatment and male oral hair loss medications. Men can benefit greatly from the Theradome® in combination with other hair loss treatments and hair growth may be more significant than using a single treatment alone.
Hair Transpant Surgery & LPT
We already have a number of hair transplant clinics recommending Theradome® to their patients. Either following hair transplant surgery or as a stand alone / combination therapy for patients who are not suitable for surgery. Hair transplant surgery may cause trauma to hair follicles adjacent to implanted grafts. This is termed 'shock loss' and may lead to a number of hairs to temporarily fall out. Laser phototherapy may reduce or even alleviate this assisting in the growth of newly implanted follicles by:
- Accelerating the healing process
- Reducing inflammation and decreasing discomfort
- Encouraging transplanted hairs to grow faster.
Using Laser Phototherapy For Male Pattern Hair Loss
Monitor Your Results - We recommend taking photographs of your hair when you start treating, then every 3-4 months for comparison. Ideally you should use a good quality camera preferably in natural day light without a flash. Cameras on quality Smartphone’s and tablets adjust automatically to light and often take better, more realistic close proximity hair photographs than many cameras. Take photographs at different angles and expose the areas you are most concerned about. If your hair is longer, the ideal most easily duplicable method of photographing hair is to part in the centre, clip hair down each side then photograph the parting.
Have reasonable expectations and patience – even the hair loss drug Propecia takes 12 months to see any noticeable cosmetic improvement and then regrowth is only experienced in 35% of users.
Ensure Consistency - LPT needs to be used a minimum of twice a week. Many men find they notice an improvement in their hair sooner if they treat more frequently. Theradome® may be used up to a maximum of once in a 24 hour period.
Make sure your hair and scalp are clean - laser light does not penetrate to the hair follicle as effectively through scalp oil or product. The best time to use laser therapy is on freshly washed hair before applying topical treatments (if you use them) or styling products.