NEWTON, MA (AUGUST, 2002) - Low Level Light Laser Therapy (LLLT), the newest breakthrough techmology to combat hair loss, delivers the ability to rehabilitate damaged/dormant hair follicles, stop the progression of hair loss and stimulate new hair growth for men and women.

Dr. Robert Leonard, founder and chief surgeon of Leonard Hair Transplant Associates with four locations throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, is one of the first hair restoration practitioners in the United States to offer the 5000 series "cold" laser technology to his clients though his affiliation with Hair Health Institute.

"As a hair restoration surgeon with over sixteen years experience, I am continually seeking out other modalities to add to my armamentarium in fighting hair loss for my patients," said Dr. Leonard, a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

"In addition to effective pharmaceutical therapies, we now have another option for individuals who are not candidates for hair restoration surgery due to poor donor supply or other medical conditions," he said. "This new LLLT technology accelerates re-growth of grafts and diminishes surrounding post operative hair shock by increasing blood supply to the micrografted transplant site."

WHAT IS LOW LEVEL LASER LIGHT HAIR THERAPY? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Developed in Europe, this proven non-surgical technology utilizes a device consisting of 21 rotating, soft low level lasers. The light wavelength emitted from the device actually repair tissues that have impaired cellular metabolism.The energy emitted also stimulates blood circulation at the hair roots. It encourages regeneration of normal healthy tissues causing hair to grow thicker, stopping hair loss progression in 85% of patients.Also, when used post-operatively with surgical hair transplantation, the newly transplanted hair follicles can forego the typical dormancystage (4 months). Improvement in hair shaft quality, volume and evidence of regrowth are rapid.

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES?

Individuals experiencing early stages of pattern hair loss are great candidates for LLLT. In addition, LLLT has been an especially effective treatment for those patients with over-processed, damaged hair from solar-overexposure, color or perms.

STATE OF THE ART HAIR LOSS EVALUATIONS

According to Dr. Leonard, Low Level Laser Light device provides even more than hair loss treatments to patients. The accompanying MicroCamera Work Station is the most advanced diagnostic modality currently available used in the evaluation of hair loss. Developed in Italy, this machine can detect subtle hair loss as well as quantitatively monitor positive changes during and after LLLT treatment.

The MicroCamera Work Station uses a digital video microscope to magnify the surface of the hair and scalp up to 400 times. The microscopic view, together with the computer software, performs a number of important measurements including hair density and hair-shaft diameter. Digitally recording images and numerical data on the computer's hard drive, comparisons of various areas of the scalp actually allow for identification of hair loss before the patient notices thinning with the naked eye.

IS LASER HAIR THERAPY SAFE?

FDA approved as safe for cosmetic use, this Certified Class 3, non-invasive laser is considered to be of no significant risk, (NSR). Government studies have determined that this type of laser treatment is extremely safe and is unlikely to be associated with any significant side effects.

Through Leonard Hair Transplant Associates and Hair Health Institute, Dr. Robert Leonard offers the latest technology in hair restoration surgery and is comittted to providing the highest quality of surgical and non-surgical care to thousands of clients throughout New England, across the United States and from around the world. Dr. Robert Leonard has Massachusetts-based offices in Newton Centre, Braintree and Cotuit, and in Cranston, RI.