Hair loss is a problem that people have been attempting to combat for centuries. From our 21st century perspectives some of those cures from across the years sound quite exotic, to put it mildly – dog paws and decomposing mouse gloop, anyone?
At last, one Utah-based company has managed to come up with a solution that uses technology instead of superstition and is so effective it has been granted FDA approval as a remedy for hair loss. The device itself looks like something Bill and Ted might have brought back from their Excellent Adventure, but don’t be fooled. This is the real deal and has already brought relief to millions.
Let’s take a look at the technology behind the Kiierr Laser Cap.
Low light laser therapy
The technology that underlies the Kiierr laser hair cap for hair regrowth is called low light laser therapy. This was first discovered in the 1960s, and like so many of the best inventions, the discovery was accidental. Scientists in Hungary were looking into potential side effects of laser therapy on animals, and specifically whether lasers caused an increase in cancer risk.
They concluded that lasers do not cause cancer. But they also made a secondary observation. Where mice had been shaved for the treatment, hair grew back more quickly on areas of skin that were subjected to lasers.
From there, it was a straightforward process to work out the optimum wavelength for hair regrowth.
Developing the product
Turning this scientific insight into a viable business proposition took time and a lot more research. Studies by bodies like the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital were invaluable and helped to confirm that low-power laser treatment stimulates and enhances cell function in a process called photobiomodulation. The bottom line is that LLLT can stimulate dormant cells into action, causing hair follicle growth to recommence.
The Laser Cap from Kiierr emits a 650 nm wavelength light – this has been shown through clinical trials to be the most effective in stimulating growth, or rather into sparking those cells into producing new hair follicles again.
A three-stage process
The finished article that is on the market today works through a three-stage process as follows:
- Stimulates Skin Tissue – lasers inside the cap emit low light therapy to skin tissue on the scalp. This stimulates and improves blood circulation in scalp tissue, also reducing inflammation. Improved circulation means the essential nutrients needed for hair follicles are now present, resulting in cell regeneration in the problematic areas.
- Brings cells to life – when the light energy penetrates the skin, it is absorbed by the weakened cells on the scalp. This rejuvenation triggers the scalp and allows for new hair to grow.
- Regenerates follicle cells – once the follicle is triggered from telogen (dormant) to anagen (alive and healthy), it is retriggered for good.
FDA approval is a significant step
In 2018 the Kiierr laser hair cap received formal certification by the FDA. It is important that consumers ensure that any medical device they use has FDA clearance, as it provides peace of mind that it is meets the appropriate safety standards as well as its performance claims.
Obtaining and maintaining FDA clearance takes a lot of work. Devices go through the following processes:
- Preclinical Testing – laboratory studies and evaluations to assess performance, safety and any risks.
- Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) Approval – submission and review of detailed information regarding the device’s design, intended use, preclinical data, and clinical trial plans.
- Clinical trials – trials on human participants to assess the device’s performance.
- Premarket Notification (510(k)) – this is a formal submission that provides scientific evidence demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the hair growth technology. It includes a detailed description of the device, its intended use, the results of preclinical testing and the data obtained from the clinical trials.
- FDA Review and Clearance – all the above is reviewed to ensure the device meets the FDA’s standards for safety and effectiveness. Upon successful review, the FDA grants clearance.
