Abstract:
An apparatus and method for regenerating and retaining hair wherein one or more regions of the scalp of a human head may be selectively and repeatedly exposed to low-level light (“LLL”) having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 1000 nm and delivering an irradiance between about 100 mJ/cm 2  and about 900 mJ/cm 2  over variable exposure times. The LLL is emitted from a light source disposed upon a head covering for covering the scalp of a human head, and is directed toward the scalp when the head covering is worn upon the head. The head covering may be worn alone in one of several embodiments, or it may be disposed within one of several secondary means for covering a human head. The light source is chosen from the group consisting of light-emitting diodes, light-emitting diode arrays, laser diodes, laser diode arrays, and any combination thereof. The light source is operationally connected to means for selecting regions of the scalp to be exposed to LLL, means for selecting LLL wavelengths, means for selecting LLL exposure durations, means for selecting LLL irradiances, and means for selecting the emission of either continuous or pulsed LLL. A photoelectric cell is operationally connected to the head covering to deactivate the light source whenever the head is withdrawn from the head covering.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for retaining and regenerating hair.  
           [0003]    2. Related Art  
           [0004]    Alopecia (hair loss) is a major concern for the adult population. Expenditures for hair restoration products and treatments for hair loss represent a major component of the multibillion-dollar cosmetic industry in the United States. Examples of techniques for hair retention and regeneration include the use of topical drug therapies such as Minoxidil (Rogaine®) or oral drug therapies such as Finasteride (Propecia®), hair transplantation, hair weaving, the use of hairpieces, the application of hair thickening sprays and shampoos, and the fashioning of coiffures which distribute hair to cover balding regions of the scalp.  
           [0005]    There is a need for a hair retention and regeneration technique that neither involves pharmacologic or surgical intervention nor cosmetic simulation, thereby avoiding the side effects of pharmacologic intervention, the discomfort of surgical intervention, and the synthetic appearance of a cosmetic appliance.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is an apparatus for regenerating and retaining hair, comprising:  
           [0007]    a head covering for covering a human head; and  
           [0008]    a light source operatively connected to said head covering, wherein said light source is directed toward the scalp when the head covering is worn, to selectively and repeatedly expose one or more regions of the scalp in need of hair retention or regeneration to low-level light (“LLL”) having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 1000 nm and delivering an irradiance between about 100 mJ/cm 2  and about 900 mJ/cm 2 , over variable durations of exposure, in either a continuous or pulsed mode.  
           [0009]    Said head covering may be worn alone in one of several embodiments, or it may disposed within one of several secondary head coverings for covering a human head. Said light source is chosen from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, light emitting diode arrays, laser diodes, laser diode arrays, and any combination thereof. Said light source is operably connected to a control module containing means for selecting regions of the scalp to be exposed to LLL, means for selecting LLL wavelengths, means for selecting LLL exposure durations, means for selecting LLL irradiances, and means for selecting the emission of either continuous or pulsed LLL.  
           [0010]    A photoelectric cell is operably attached to said head covering to deactivate said light source whenever the head is withdrawn from said head covering. Depending on its embodiment, a pattern emission selector of said control module, which selects regions of the scalp to be exposed to LLL, may include icons, appearing upon either tiles displayed on a computer display device that is a component of said control module, or keys of a keyboard or keypad that are components of said control module, or buttons disposed on a surface of said control module, which icons depict degrees of hair loss comprising, inter alia, either the Hamilton scale or the Ludwig scale, or both.  
           [0011]    The present invention is also a method for regenerating and retaining hair, comprising the application of LLL to at least one region of the scalp of a human head in need of hair retention or regeneration, said application of LLL being emitted from a light source chosen from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, light emitting diode arrays, laser diodes, laser diode arrays, and any combination thereof, disposed upon a head covering for covering a human head, and said light source operationally connected to means for selecting regions of the scalp in need of hair retention or regeneration to be exposed to LLL, means for selecting LLL wavelengths, means for selecting LLL exposure durations, means for selecting LLL irradiances, and means for selecting the emission of either continuous or pulsed LLL.  
           [0012]    The present invention provides a new and useful apparatus and method for retaining and regenerating hair without the inconvenience, unpleasant side effects, pain, and poor appearance associated with prevailing hair retention and regeneration techniques. Embodiments of the apparatus for hair retention and regeneration are adaptable to salon settings, as well as portable and home use settings, where the method for hair retention and regeneration may be self-administered.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a head covering of the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a head covering of the invention worn upon a human head.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a head covering of the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a light-emitting diode, a light-emitting diode array, a laser diode, and a laser diode array.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a headpiece of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a headpiece of the invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the hair retention and regeneration apparatus comprising the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the hair retention and apparatus comprising the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a representation of the pictographs of the Hamilton scale for assessing male alopecia, shown as icons on schematic tiles, keys or buttons.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a representation of the pictographs of the Ludwig scale for assessing female alopecia, shown as icons on schematic tiles, keys or buttons.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective and sectional view of a disposition of light-emitting diodes, light emitting diode arrays, laser diodes, and laser diode arrays upon an embodiment of the headpiece of the invention that is disposed within an embodiment of a secondary head covering, thereby forming a hood.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention schematically illustrating a disposition of conductors connecting an embodiment of the control module of the invention to an embodiment of the headpiece of the invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a stationary embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portable embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is plan view of a portable embodiment of the invention in its folded or collapsed position for carriage or storage.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portable embodiment of the invention comprising an embodiment of the headpiece of the invention disposed within a secondary head covering in the form of a helmet, and schematically illustrating a hand-held embodiment of the control module of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    As used herein, the term “hair regeneration” includes the term hair restoration.  
         [0031]    As used herein, the term “hair retention” includes the terms hair conservation and hair preservation.  
         [0032]    As used herein, the term “wireframe mesh” means a mesh woven of, or formed by interlacing, strands of such materials as metal, plastic, or synthetic fibers, such as nylon, rayon, or polyester, or natural fibers, such as cotton., or any combination thereof.  
         [0033]    As used herein, the term “low-level light” (“LLL”) means ordinary or coherent light having a wavelength in the range of about 400 nm to about 1000 nm and having an irradiance at its point of contact with a bodily tissue, such as the skin or the scalp, between about 100 mJ/cm 2  and about 900 mJ/cm 2 .  
         [0034]    As used herein, the term “low-level light therapy” (“LLLT”) means, inter alia, the photobiostimulation of a bodily tissue, such as the skin or scalp, by exposure of said bodily tissue to low-level light (“LLL”).  
         [0035]    As used herein the term “continuous” low-level light (“LLL”) means continuously emitted or radiated LLL, or temporally uninterrupted emission or radiation of LLL.  
         [0036]    As used herein the term “pulsed” low-level light (“LLL”) means, inter alia, pulsed, flickering, interrupted, or otherwise discontinuous emission or radiation of LLL.  
         [0037]    As used herein the term “emission mode” refers to the emission of LLL as either continuous LLL or pulsed LLL.  
         [0038]    As used herein, the word “computer” means, inter alia, a microprocessor, server, desktop computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant or other form of hand-held or portable computer.  
         [0039]    As used herein, the term “data entry device” means, inter alia, a keyboard, keypad, stylus-based data entry device or a touch-based data entry device, such as a touchpad.  
         [0040]    As used herein, the term “computer display” device means, inter alia, a computer monitor, liquid crystal display panel, television set or printer.  
         [0041]    As used herein, the term “emission pattern” means the two-dimensional surface shape of a bodily tissue, such as the skin or the scalp, and the area contained therein, which is exposed to LLL by the invention.  
         [0042]    As used herein, the term “emission pattern selector” refers to a device for confining LLL to a selected emission pattern.  
         [0043]    As used herein, the term “photoelectric cell” means a photosensitive device such as a photodiode, phototransistor, photoconductive or photovoltaic cell or any combination or plurality thereof.  
         [0044]    As used herein the term “conductors” means electrically insulated or non-insulated metal wires, fiberoptic cables or any other means for transmitting electric power.  
         [0045]    Referring now to the drawings in which like parts are designated by like numerals in the various views, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a head covering  22  of the invention wherein the head covering is fashioned out of plastic. FIG. 2 illustrates the first embodiment of the head covering  22  of the invention shown in FIG. 1 worn upon a human head  20 . FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a head covering  22  of the invention, wherein the head covering is fashioned out of a wireframe mesh. In either the constitutive material of the embodiment of the head covering shown in FIG. 1 or the constitutive material of the embodiment of the head covering shown in FIG. 3, the head covering  22  may be fashioned into any geometric form, including, but not limited to, a spatial configuration generally conforming to the shape of a human head, or any rigid, semi-rigid or flexible device for covering a human head, such as a helmet, hat, cap, hood, dome, cowl, or any sheet, such as a handkerchief.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 4. is a schematic representation of a light-emitting diode (“LED”)  24 , a LED array  25 , a laser diode  26 , and a laser diode array  27 , each of which is shown as a rectangular parallelepiped, having an active, light-emitting face, schematically representing a single LED face  84 , a single laser diode face  86 , a representative LED array face  85 , and a representative laser diode array face  87 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 5 illustrates a first embodiment of a headpiece  28  of the invention, comprising a head covering  22 , as shown in FIG. 1, with multiple-perforations  21 , upon whose external surface are disposed a photoelectric cell  23  and a representative combination of an inwardly directed LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , for the administration of LLL, having controllable wavelengths, irradiances, exposure durations, emission patterns, and emission modes, more fully described infra.  
         [0048]    In FIG. 5, the inwardly directed LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , are shown as discrete rectangular parallelepipeds, corresponding to the LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , or laser diode array  27 , shown in FIG. 4. Each LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27  shown in FIG. 5 has a respectively corresponding single LED face  84 , single laser diode face  86 , LED array face  85 , and laser diode array face  87 , all facing inwardly for radiant emission through one or more of the perforations  21  of the headpiece  28 .  
         [0049]    As shown in FIG. 5, when the representative combination of an LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27  is viewed from within the headpiece  28 , all that is visible are light sources appearing through the perforations  21  corresponding respectively to light emissions from the single LED face  84 , single laser diode face  86 , LED array face  85 , and laser diode array face  87 , of each externally disposed LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a headpiece  28  of the invention, comprising a head covering  22  as shown in FIG. 3, upon whose external surface are disposed a photoelectric cell  23  and a representative combination of an inwardly directed LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , for the administration of LLL, having controllable wavelengths, irradiances, exposure durations, emission patterns, and emission modes, more fully described infra.  
         [0051]    In FIG. 6, the inwardly directed LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , are shown as discrete rectangular parallelepipeds, corresponding to the LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , shown in FIG. 4. Each LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , or laser diode array  27  shown in FIG. 6 has a respectively corresponding single LED face  84 , single laser diode face  86 , LED array face  85 , and laser diode array face  87 , all facing inwardly for radiant emission through the interstices  45  of the headpiece  28 .  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 6, when the LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , are viewed from within the headpiece  28 , all that is visible are their respectively corresponding light-emitting faces,  84 ,  85 ,  86 ,  87 , either framed by the interstices  45  or crossed by the strands of which the second embodiment of the headpiece  28  is constructed.  
         [0053]    Tissue exposed to LLL emitted by the embodiments of the headpiece  28  of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, is subjected to photobiostimulation (“PBS”) which activates energy processes in intracellular mitochondria, wavelength-selective intracellular organelles, and other intracellular constituents such as chromophores and cytochrome systems.  
         [0054]    In the case of retention and regeneration of the hair of the scalp, PBS is believed to occur between the endothelial cell of the inner root hair follicle sheath wall and the epithelial cuticle cells of the hair shaft. The net effects of the PBS generated by the LLL emitted from the headpiece  28  of the invention is to maintain hair shafts in the anagen stage of their growth cycle, reverse the deterioration of hair shafts, accelerate healthy morphological transformation in the catagen stage of the growth cycle of hair shafts, and to shorten or negate the telogen stage of the growth cycle of hair shafts.  
         [0055]    Accordingly, LLLT of the scalp is a novel means of reducing hair loss and stimulating hair growth in individuals with alopecia. The practical advantages of using LLL for the treatment of alopecia include the avoidance of the undesirable side effects associated with the use of topical or oral drugs, the avoidance of the inconvenience and poor cosmesis offered by hair-thickening sprays and shampoos, the avoidance of the transience of a cosmetic coiffure, the avoidance of the pain and distasteful appearance associated with hair transplantation, and the avoidance of the synthetic appearance of a hairpiece and the embarrassment associated with its detection.  
         [0056]    Combinations of LEDs, LED arrays, laser diodes, and laser diode arrays offer useful sources of LLL for PBS of the scalp. Such combinations of LEDs, LED arrays, laser diodes, and laser diode arrays can be configured to generate PBS within the scalp, without significant heating of the scalp and without risk to the unprotected eye. Additionally, such combinations of LEDs, LED arrays, laser diodes, and laser diode arrays can be arranged and configured to emit LLL targeting different locations of the scalp and to emit LLL confined to patterns of variable area in different locations of the scalp  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 7. illustrates a first embodiment of the invention, formed by using conductors  29  to operably connect the first embodiment of the headpiece  28  of the invention to a control module,  38 , comprising at least one computer  31  operably connected to a power source  30  and to computer input and output devices, such as a pointing device  39 , a data entry device  40 , and a computer display device  42 , for controlling the wavelength, irradiance, duration of exposure, emission pattern, and emission mode, used in the administration of LLL to one or more regions of the scalp.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 8. illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, formed by using conductors  29  to operably connect the second embodiment of the headpiece  28  of the invention to a control module  38  comprising at least one computer  31  operably connected to a power source  30  and to input and devices, such as a pointing device  39 , a data entry device  40 , and a computer display device  42 , for controlling the wavelength, irradiance, duration of exposure, emission pattern, and emission mode, used in the administration of LLL to one or more regions of the scalp.  
         [0059]    The power source  30  may be a direct current power source such as a battery, or a computer-controllable device whose input is an alternating current power source, such a as a conventional electric power outlet. The photoelectric cell  23  is also operably connected to the power source  30  as a means for turning off the power source  30  whenever the head is withdrawn from the headpiece  28  of the invention.  
         [0060]    The control module  38  further includes an emission pattern selector, providing means for confining the LLL emitted by the headpiece  28  of the invention to patterns of hair loss, conforming to the patterns of hair loss actually present upon the scalp of any subject. In addition to providing means for confining the LLL emitted by the headpiece  28  to patterns of hair loss present on the scalp on a subject-by-subject basis, the emission pattern selector provides means for confining the LLL emitted by the headpiece  28  to commonly observed patterns of hair loss well known in the hair replacement arts  
         [0061]    In a first embodiment of the emission pattern selector, in addition to providing means of confining the LLL emitted by the headpiece  28  to patterns of hair loss present on the scalp on a subject-by-subject basis, the screen of the computer viewing device  40  displays an operator&#39;s interface comprising arrays of symbolic tiles. As shown in FIG. 9, in a first array of these tiles, an icon appearing on the face of each tile depicts a pattern of hair loss replicating one of the states of hair loss of the Hamilton scale, a standardized pictographic scale of degrees and patterns of hair loss among men, well known in the hair retention, regeneration and replacement arts. As shown in FIG. 10, in a second array of tiles, an icon appearing on the face of each tile depicts a pattern of hair loss replicating one of the states of hair loss of the Ludwig scale, a standardized pictographic scale of degrees and patterns of hair loss among women, also well known in the hair retention, regeneration and replacement arts. By pointing and clicking upon a tile with a cursor controlled by a computer pointing device  39 , the operator selects means for activating a subcombination of any combination of LEDs  24 , LED arrays  25 , laser diodes  26 , and laser diode arrays  27 , disposed upon the headpiece  28  of the invention, which subcombination confines the emission of the LEDs  24 , LED arrays  25 , laser diodes  26 , and laser diode arrays  27  to the pattern of hair loss represented by the icon on the selected tile.  
         [0062]    In a second embodiment of the emission pattern selector, in addition to providing means of confining the LLL emitted by the headpiece  28  to patterns of hair loss present on the scalp on a subject-by-subject basis, the data entry device  40 , such as a keyboard or keypad includes sets of symbolic keys. As shown in FIG. 9, in a first set of keys, an icon appearing on the face of each key depicts a pattern of hair loss replicating one of the states of hair loss of the Hamilton scale, a standardized pictographic scale of degrees and patterns of hair loss among men, well known in the hair retention, regeneration and replacement arts. As shown in FIG. 10, in a second set of keys, an icon appearing on the face of each key depicts a pattern of hair loss replicating one of the states of hair loss of the Ludwig scale, a standardized pictographic scale of degrees and patterns of hair loss among women, also well known in the hair retention, regeneration and replacement arts. By striking an icon-bearing key, the operator selects means for activating a subcombination of any combination of the LEDs  24  , LED arrays  25 , laser diodes  26 , and laser diode arrays  27 , disposed upon the headpiece  28  of the invention, which subcombination confines the emission of the LEDs  24 , LED arrays  25 , laser diodes  26 , and laser diode arrays  27  to the pattern of hair loss represented by the icon on the selected key.  
         [0063]    In a third embodiment of the of the pattern emission selector, in addition to providing means of confining the LLL emitted by the headpiece  28  to patterns of hair loss present on the scalp on a subject-by-subject basis, the control module  38  includes a surface having arrays of buttons. As shown in FIG. 9, in a first array of buttons, an icon appearing on the face of each button depicts a pattern of hair loss replicating one of the states of hair loss of the Hamilton scale, scale, a standardized pictographic scale of degrees and patterns of hair loss among men, well known in the hair retention, regeneration and replacement arts. As shown in FIG. 10, in a second array of buttons, an icon appearing on the face of each button depicts a pattern of hair loss replicating one of the states of hair loss of the Ludwig scale, a standardized pictographic scale of degrees and patterns of hair loss among women, also well known in the hair retention, regeneration and replacement arts. By pressing an icon-bearing button, the operator selects means for activating a subcombination of any combination of LEDs  24 , LED arrays  25 , laser diodes  26 , and laser diode arrays  27  disposed upon the headpiece  28  of the invention, which subcombination confines the emission of the LEDs  24 , LED arrays  25 , laser diodes  26 , and laser diode arrays  27 , to the pattern of hair loss represented by the icon on the selected button.  
         [0064]    When combinations of LEDs  24 , LED arrays  25 , laser diodes  26 , and laser diode arrays  27  are disposed upon an embodiment of the head covering for covering the human head  22 , the resultant embodiment of the headpiece  28  of the invention may be directly applied to the scalp to administer LLL for the treatment of hair loss and the augmentation of hair retention. Alternatively, the headpiece  28  of the invention, may be disposed within a secondary head covering, such as a helmet, bonnet, cap, hood, or dome, to administer LLL to the scalp for the treatment of hair loss and the augmentation of hair retention.  
         [0065]    For example, FIG. 11, shows a perspective and sectional view of an embodiment of the head covering  22 , shown in FIG. 1, in the form of a perforated inner hemispheric shell  52 , disposed within an embodiment of a secondary head covering, in the form of a conforming outer imperforate shell  55 , which is supported by a upturned rim  53  of the inner shell  52 , thereby defining a space  56  between the inner  52  and outer  55  shells, and forming a hood  33 .  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 11 further schematically illustrates an internal view of a disposition of a representative combination of light sources from an emitting face of a LED  84 , an emitting face of a LED array  85 , an emitting face of a laser diode  86 , and an emitting face of a laser diode array  87 . As shown in FIG. 12, the disposition of said representative combination of light sources corresponds to a disposition of a representative LED,  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , within the space  56  and upon the external surface of the perforated inner hemispheric shell  52  and within the space. In FIG. 11, the outer shell  55  is provided with an opening  58  to admit conductors  29 , shown in FIG. 12, carried by a hollow, articulable and adjustable armature  37 , from an embodiment of the control module  38 , for distribution within the space  56 , and thence for operable connection with the representative combination of a LED  24 , LED array  25 , laser diode  26 , and laser diode array  27 , disposed upon the external surface of the inner perforated inner hemispheric shell  52 , coincident with the perforations  21  fashioned thereon.  
         [0067]    The invention is also adaptable to variety of structural configurations.  
         [0068]    For purposes of illustration, FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention in the form of a stationary LLLT station  41 , comprising an embodiment of the control module  38 , described supra and shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, and a treatment module  32 .  
         [0069]    The treatment module  32  of the LLLT station  41  comprises a chair  34  whose back  35  bears mounting means  36  for mounting a hollow, articulable and adjustable armature  37 , whose superior end pivotably connects to and supports an embodiment of a secondary head covering in the form of a hood  33 , described supra., and shown in FIG. 11 and in FIG. 12.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a portable embodiment of the invention, wherein the superior aspect of the armature  37  is pivotably connected to a hood  33 , and the inferior aspect of the armature  37  is pivotably connected to a portable base  43  adapted to contain, or operably connect to, an embodiment of the control module  38 .  
         [0071]    As shown in FIG. 15, in a portable embodiment, the invention may be folded from its operable position into its storage or carrying position in a manner well known in parallel mechanical arts.  
         [0072]    In another embodiment of the invention for the self-administration of LLLT, shown in FIG. 16, the headpiece  28  of invention is disposed within an embodiment of the secondary head covering in the form of a helmet  71 , having an opening  72  to admit conductors  29  emanating from a hand-held embodiment of a control module  38 , for operable distribution to and connection with a representative combination of a LED  84 , a LED array  85 , a laser diode  86 , and a laser diode array  87 , said representative combination being disposed upon the headpiece  28 , within the helmet  71 .  
         [0073]    Accordingly, different embodiments of the invention may be used in different treatment settings and in different manners determined by different treatment protocols.  
         [0074]    In one example of a use of the invention, a subject with regions of his or her scalp in need of hair retention or regeneration may be seated in the chair  34  of the LLLT station  41 , shown in FIG. 13, with his or her head covered by the hood  33 . An operator may then use an embodiment of the control module  38  to select LLL parameters within the module&#39;s control. For example, an operator may select the continuous mode of LLL emission, at a wavelength of about 670 nm, delivering an irradiance of about 500 mJ/cm 2 , to be applied for about 15 minutes to one or more selected regions of the subject&#39;s scalp. The resulting application of LLL may comprise a treatment dose.  
         [0075]    The treatment dose may be repeated at least once weekly, and the aggregate of said treatment doses given in the course of a week may comprise a weekly dose.  
         [0076]    The weekly dose may be repeated over the course of about 1 to 52 consecutive weeks, and the aggregate of weekly doses may comprise a total dose distributed over a course of LLLT.  
         [0077]    During a course of LLLT, the treatment parameters, treatment dose, weekly dose, total dose or duration of a course of LLLT may be altered depending upon the subject&#39;s response to the LLL produced by the LLL parameters previously selected.  
         [0078]    A course of LLLT may be repeated periodically or applied to other regions of a subject&#39;s scalp in need of hair retention or regeneration.  
         [0079]    Other courses of LLLT, governed by other protocols, may use other treatment doses and may use other weekly doses that are administered over other time periods. For example, a course of maintenance LLLT may be administered pursuant to a protocol designed to maintain the benefit of an earlier administered course of LLLT.  
         [0080]    In another example of a use of the invention, a subject with regions of his or her scalp in need of hair retention or regeneration may use a portable embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 14 or in FIG. 16, for the self-administration of LLL, selecting LLL parameters from a portable embodiment of the control module  38  pursuant to a protocol provided by a hair retention and regeneration practitioner.  
         [0081]    The foregoing description of embodiments and uses of this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or use disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.