As many as 85% of men and 55% of women are affected by hair loss within their lifetime [2][3]. But the good news is that new treatments have emerged to help you achieve strand regrowth. Red light therapy for hair growth is a safe and effective form of low-light laser therapy (LLLT) which can help improve hair density and health in multiple types of alopecia.
This therapy has been around for decades, proving its efficiency in treating wounds and repairing tissue, relieving pain and inflammation, and resolving skin issues. Lately, however, it has also demonstrated promising results in stimulating hair follicles for growth, especially in people with androgenetic alopecia. This article will tell you all you need to know about red light therapy and what it can do for your locks:
Red light therapy is a form of LLLT, also known as photobiomodulation. It uses light of specific wavelengths to stimulate your hair growth. Despite having “lasers” in its name, LLLT now mostly uses non-coherent light-emitting diodes (LEDs) [4], which can produce light of different wavelengths with specific effects on the human body.
As its name suggests, red light therapy uses red or near-infrared beams of light, its wavelength ranging between 630 and 700 nm (660 nm is usually preferred). They penetrate the scalp and optimise cell functioning, which, in turn, stimulates hair growth.
If you are interested in this kind of therapy, you can get the best experience at a hair clinic, where you will benefit from state-of-the-art, medical-grade equipment. However, if you prefer getting red light therapy in the comfort of your own home, there are also smaller devices that you can buy and use anytime, such as laser hair growth caps, brushes, combs, or helmets [5].
While the scientific community has yet to reach a definitive agreement regarding the exact mechanism that makes red light therapy work, researchers do have some solid theories.
The most widely accepted is that as focused red or near-infrared light penetrates your scalp, it stimulates an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase found in the mitochondria of our cells [7]. This creates a biochemical reaction, increasing mitochondrial activity, which leads to faster production of a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) [7].
ATP is the main energy molecule of the cells and it plays a role in transporting energy to your tissues, providing the hair follicles with the necessary resources to remain in the growth phase of your natural hair growth cycle for longer. This helps increase strand production and decrease the duration of the shedding phase.
There are currently no scientific studies linking red light therapy to blocking Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While some treatments for hair loss, such as Finasteride, work by blocking this androgen hormone, other therapies, such as LLLT, rely on different mechanisms of action to stimulate hair growth.
If you would rather not take hair growth medications, you can also try plant treatments that contain natural DHT blockers, such as caffeine, rosemary oil, or pumpkin seed oil.
Yes, red light therapy has been scientifically proven to promote hair growth, improving both strand density and thickness. Numerous studies have emphasised its benefits. Here are a few telling examples:
Evidence thus shows that red light therapy is good for your hair, stimulating strand growth. Even though most of these studies were performed on people with androgenetic alopecia, good results have also been reported for alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, etc [11][12].
While red light therapy can be effective as a stand-alone treatment, you can get even better results when combining it with other medications and therapies. Here are the best things you can try to enhance its effects:
A meta-analysis of 15 studies comprising 1172 patients with androgenetic alopecia revealed that the combination of red light therapy with Minoxidil or Finasteride yields better results in increasing hair count than either of the two treatments on its own [13].
However, it is recommended to see a dermatologist or trichologist before taking any hair growth medication. That is because they can have side effects that may be harmful to some people (e.g. Finasteride is not recommended to pre-menopausal women, as it can cause hormonal imbalances or foetal malformations).
Getting a scalp massage for hair growth can help improve blood flow to your hair follicles. Furthermore, research says it may help activate certain genes and potassium channels involved in strand development [15]. Studies show that using an electric device to get as little as 4 minutes of head massage daily can improve hair thickness in 6 months [16].
Furthermore, it is pleasant and relaxing and can help lower stress levels, preventing anxiety-induced hair loss [17]. Some head massage devices even have built-in red light LEDs, so you can save time by getting both simultaneously.
It is a known fact that certain vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss. So, if you want to improve your hair growth, you should also eat a diverse and nutritious diet for healthy hair.
While red light can help improve strand density, your hair can only grow properly if its follicles are getting enough nutrients, such as vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and more. It is always best to get them from dietary sources and to avoid restrictive diets that can deprive you of the vitamins and minerals you need.
If you want to get the best results from red light therapy, it is a good idea to make sure that your existing strands and scalp are healthy. It is tricky to fix heat-damaged hair, so it would be best to avoid frequent heat-styling, as it can cause dry, brittle hair prone to breakage.
Similarly, styling products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach or hair dye, can cause hair loss. So, it is best to choose gentle hair care products and to keep your strands shielded from excessive heat (sunlight included).
An experienced hair doctor is the best person to tell you what you can do to get better results from red light therapy for your particular strand type and scalp condition. They can recommend the most appropriate, custom-tailored hair care routine for thinning hair and prescribe any additional medication or therapy that could help you grow fuller, healthier locks.
If you are worried about the potential side effects of using red light therapy on your hair, you can rest entirely at ease. There is a general consensus among researchers that this procedure is safe and can be used frequently with no serious negative consequences for your tresses, scalp, or overall health.
From all the studies that have been performed so far, only a few have reported minor side effects: pruritus (itching), acne and tenderness. These symptoms resolved on their own within 2 weeks [18]. But most research has revealed no adverse effects [8] [9] [10], so rest assured that it is very unlikely for red light therapy to cause any kind of harm to your hair and scalp.
Intense red light can also be irritating for the eyes, so it is a good idea to wear the special safety goggles normally supplied alongside the red light devices. However, if you haven’t received such goggles, a normal sleep eye mask can also help.
However, since this therapy is light-based, people who are prone to light-induced seizures (e.g., epilepsy, migraines, etc.) should consult their healthcare provider before using it.
Since there are no safety concerns associated with red light therapy, it can be used as often as you’d like. There is no risk of overdosing, and you should be fine if you choose to treat yourself to some daily radiance.
However, dermatologists [19] recommend getting 20-30 minute treatments 2-3 times a week using medical-grade equipment for optimum results. If you use home devices, undergoing 10-20 minutes of red light therapy 3-5 times a week is best.
The amount of time needed to start seeing results from your red-light hair treatments depends very much on the cause of your hair loss and your overall hair and scalp condition. Less advanced hair loss, with limited damage to the follicles, should respond better to the red light, allowing you to see improvement in hair density and thickness sooner than late-stage alopecia.
On average, it is common for an entire course of treatment to last 3-6 months (or over 20-30 sessions). So keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t see new hair growth after the first few sessions.
The cost of red light therapy depends on the number of sessions you need to undergo, the type of device used, and the clinic where you are getting your treatment. On average, in the UK, a single treatment session costs around £45. Since, depending on the extent of your hair loss, you might need at least 20-30 sessions to achieve satisfactory strand growth, a complete course of therapy might cost around £1,125 in total [20].
While some clinics may offer lower prices, it is important to learn about the type of red light therapy device they use before making a decision. Older machines may be slower or less effective than newer, optimised models.
Purchasing an efficient home red light therapy device can be quite an investment. However, there is a wide range of products to choose from in different forms and various price ranges. Here are some of the best options for various needs and preferences:
Disclaimer: The products mentioned on this page are for reference purposes only and have been selected based on online reviews and user-reported results. Wimpole Clinic does not endorse or guarantee the effectiveness of these products.
This red light therapy helmet is portable and can be comfortably worn while engaging in other tasks. It has 120 light diodes (51 lasers and 69 LEDs) and uses a wavelength of 655 nm, which is in the optimal range. It has a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can return it within 12 months of use.
Price: Approximately £550
Main advantages: It is portable and comfortable and can access your entire scalp.
Main drawbacks: Its price can be pretty high compared to other red light therapy home devices.
This FDA-approved red light therapy comb is lightweight and portable, meaning you can comfortably use it while resting or watching your favourite show. Moreover, a 2014 study conducted on 146 male and 188 female participants with pattern baldness shows an increase in hair density after being treated with this comb 3 times a week for 26 weeks [23]
Price: Approximately £200
Main advantages: The device is portable, easy to use, and less expensive than a helmet.
Main drawbacks: It does not expose your whole scalp to the red light simultaneously, so its results may depend on the user’s capacity to use it uniformly.
This electric scalp massager also provides red light therapy alongside scalp stimulation for hair growth. It has 8 interchangeable claws of different firmness for a comfortable experience, and it is waterproof, which means you can use it in the bath or shower.
Price: Approximately £27
Main advantages: It combines the effect of a relaxing scalp massage with red light therapy at a very reasonable price. It can be used in the bath to save time.
Main drawbacks: Your scalp is not exposed to the red light uniformly. And if your massages are too short, you may not get all the red light you need to produce good results.
When opting for a red light therapeutic home device, it is important to select high-quality products and avoid any possible scams. Here are some of the main things to look for when buying a red light therapy device:
Red light normally ranges between wavelengths of 630-750 nanometers. However, some devices have several modes, which also offer near-infrared (810-850 nm) or infrared (over 900 nm) light options.
If you would like to use this device for additional purposes than just hair regrowth (e.g., reducing tissue inflammation, pain management, skincare, or even alleviating symptoms of depression), you may want to opt for a device with a broader wavelength range.
This measurement lets you know how bright and powerful the light emitted by the device will be. The higher the intensity of the product, the faster and more efficient the therapy will be. Choosing a low-powered device might yield insufficient amounts of red light for optimum benefit.
Red light is often emitted by therapeutic devices through an arrangement of larger light emitting diodes (LEDs). The more LEDs the product has, the more light it emits and the faster and more efficient it is.
If you plan to use this therapy for hair growth alone, products designed for a targeted, smaller treatment area will likely suffice (such as a helmet or a hand-held device). However, if you plan to use it for more extensive body issues or if your family members also use it for different purposes, you should look at larger, full-body options.
Helpful features, such as programmable timers or adjustable settings, can make a difference when selecting a red light hair therapy device. A clear, visible interface that is easy to read and interact with can also be helpful.
Just like in the case of any other product, insight offered by people who have already bought and used the red light therapy device you are interested in can be extremely valuable. Reviews can speak to product efficiency and usability and warn you about hidden flaws in its design or functioning.
If you are experiencing diffuse or patterned hair thinning, especially in the early stages, you may be a good candidate for red light hair therapy. Extensive research[4][9][10] has shown that it is as effective in men as it is in women, especially when it comes to hair loss due to the following conditions:
However, ask your healthcare provider if this type of therapy is suitable for you if your hair loss is due to scarring alopecia, as you may not be able to obtain good results (hair follicles may be destroyed in the balding area).
In time, a number of misconceptions have emerged in relation to red light therapy for hair. Here are a few of the most common and the reasons why they are not true:
The devices used for LLLT never emit enough heat to cause any damage to your skin. The most you may feel is some soothing warmth, which should not cause discomfort. If you are experiencing a burning sensation while using a home red light therapy device, turn it off immediately, as it might be counterfeit and potentially harmful to you.
While there are many snake oil treatments out in the world, the effects of red light therapy on your hair are scientifically proven. Numerous studies conducted on thousands of people in total have found that after 3-6 months of sessions, this type of LLLT does indeed stimulate an increase in hair thickness and density [6][7][8].
Red light therapy does not contain any particles which can interact with the pigment in your hair. It will have no influence on the aspect of your hair and it will not interact with any styling product, such as dye.
This concern is understandable, considering that exposure to regular sunlight can increase your risk of skin cancer if not using protection. However, unlike sunlight or tanning beds, red light therapy devices do not emit UV radiation. They are thus safe to use on your skin and scalp without fear of developing melanoma.
While there are many conditions which can lead to hair loss, here are some of the most prevalent:
Also known as male pattern baldness (or female pattern baldness), androgenetic alopecia affects most men and about half of all women at some point in their lives. In men, it causes hair loss in a specific pattern, especially around the hairline, temples and crown. In women, it is more diffuse and generally involves a widening of the midline parting. A complex set of factors, including age, genetics, and hormones, causes this condition. Mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia can be treated with a variety of therapies or topical medication, such as Minoxidil or Finasteride. However, for the later stages, the most effective form of treatment is a hair transplant.
This type of hair loss is the result of an autoimmune condition in which the body’s white blood cells attack hair follicles, damaging them and preventing them from creating new strands. Alopecia areata affects approximately 2% of the population and usually manifests as irregular bald patches that appear suddenly on your scalp (although its rarer forms can also produce diffuse hair loss or even total baldness).
Unlike androgenetic alopecia, hair transplant for alopecia areata doesn’t usually work because there is no safe donor area (your antibodies would be attacking the implanted hair follicles).
This is not a disease of the hair or scalp. It is a condition that occurs when someone is under great amounts of stress or has suffered significant trauma. What happens when you have telogen effluvium is that the growth phase of your natural hair growth cycle is shortened while the shedding phase is extended.
The result is diffuse hair thinning without any discernible pattern to it. As soon as the stress is alleviated, this condition should also subside, and your hair should start growing back.
If you are interested in other solutions to prevent your hair loss, here are some of the most popular and effective:
This is a simple and effective procedure where hair from a healthy donor area (usually the back of the head) is extracted and reimplanted in the balding spots.The best hair transplant clinics offer experienced surgeons and state-of-the-art techniques, such as follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or follicular unit extraction (FUE), to ensure you get a perfectly natural post-transplant look.
Unlike other treatments, hair transplant is permanent, solving your hair woes for good. See our most convenient clinic location for a hair transplant consultation.
Medications such as Minoxidil and Finasteride can help limit shedding and stimulate hair growth, and steroid creams can alleviate the scalp symptoms of alopecia areata. However, they should be used at the recommendation of a medical specialist, as they could have adverse effects or not be effective for your condition.
Also known as derma rolling for hair growth, this therapy involves rolling a small, handheld device covered in very fine needles on your scalp. This can improve blood flow and stimulate hair growth by triggering your body’s natural healing response.
Moreover, using topical Minoxidil and a derma roller enhances both their effects, as the micropunctures made by the needles improve the medication’s scalp absorption.
This procedure involves drawing a small quantity of your blood, separating the PRP from the rest of the blood fractions, and injecting it into your scalp. Because PRP contains a high number of growth factors, it helps repair and nourish hair follicles, improving hair density and thickness.
Naturally, the efficiency of any treatment option greatly depends on the cause of your hair loss. If you are experiencing unexplained hair shedding, it is very important to be diagnosed by a specialist.
Book a consultation today with one of the renowned trichologists at Wimpole Clinic. They will conduct blood tests for hair loss and based on the results, they will recommend the best hair loss treatments for women, or, by case, the most efficient hair loss treatment for men.
If you are curious to find out more about red light therapy for hair growth and its effects on your scalp and hair, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions:
Fortunately, red light therapy is not painful at all. While it does involve applying focused light to your scalp, the devices used only emit low amounts of heat. This can make you feel pleasantly warm but can in no way burn or damage your skin.
If you feel that your eyes are bothered by the shine, you can feel free to close them or use eye protection during the session. Normally, all you should be experiencing is a soothing, comfortable sensation.
You don’t need to wear a sun protection factor (SPF) lotion when using red light therapy devices. They do not use ultraviolet radiation; they use red or near-infrared light. This means they will not increase your risk of developing sunburn or skin cancer.
The effectiveness of these two hair loss treatments largely depends on the conditions they treat. While there haven’t been many studies to compare their results, one research conducted on patients with androgenetic alopecia shows similar outcomes. Moreover, scientists have found that combining them can achieve the best hair growth outcomes [26].
Yes, if you are struggling with a sparse or patchy beard, this treatment may also help you. This is especially true if you are experiencing a condition such as alopecia barbae.
However, your ability to grow a full beard may depend on many factors, so it is best to see a trichologist and get recommendations for the best treatment options.
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