Method and apparatus for the stimulation of hair growth

Abstract

A method for activating or inhibiting the differentiation of stem cells including exposing the stem cells to a source of narrowband multi chromatic electromagnetic radiation under conditions effective to activate or inhibit cell differentiation.

1 . A method for activating or inhibiting the differentiation of stem cells, comprising exposing the stem cells to a source of narrowband multi chromatic electromagnetic radiation under conditions effective to activate or inhibit cell differentiation. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the source of narrowband multi chromatic electromagnetic radiation is at least one light emitting diode. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the conditions effective to activate or inhibit cell differentiation comprise continuous exposure to the source of narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein an energy fluence of no greater than 4 J/cm2 is delivered to the stem cells. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the conditions effective to activate or inhibit cell differentiation comprise exposure to more than one pulse of light from the source of narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein an energy fluence of no greater than 4 J/cm2 is delivered to the stem cells. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  comprising applying a chromophore to the stem cells prior to exposure to the source of narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  comprising applying an exogenous chromophore to the stem cells prior to exposure to the source of narrowband multi chromatic electromagnetic radiation. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the exposing comprises communicating instructions to the stem cells via the narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation as to the type of cells, tissues, or organs into which the stem cells differentiate.