As many as 85% of men and 55% of women are affected by hair loss within their lifetime. 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:
- What red light therapy for hair growth is, and how it works
- The effectiveness of red light therapy and how it can be increased
- The necessary number of red light therapy sessions and their cost
- The best home red light therapy devices
- How safe this therapy is and its potential adverse effects
What is red light therapy for hair?
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), 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.
How does red light therapy for hair work?
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. This creates a biochemical reaction, increasing mitochondrial activity, which leads to faster production of a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
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.
Does red light therapy block DHT?
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.
Is red light therapy good for your hair?
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:
How to improve the effects of red light therapy
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:
1. Combine red light therapy with hair growth medication
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.
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).
2. Massage your scalp regularly
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. 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.
Furthermore, it is pleasant and relaxing and can help lower stress levels, preventing anxiety-induced hair loss. Some head massage devices even have built-in red light LEDs, so you can save time by getting both simultaneously.
3. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
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.
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4. Improve your hair styling practices
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).
5. Ask a trichologist for personalised recommendations
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.
Is red light therapy for hair loss safe?
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. But most research has revealed no adverse effects, 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.
How often should you use red light therapy for hair growth?
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 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.
How long does it take for red light therapy to grow hair?
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.
How much does red light therapy cost?
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.
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.
Are you concerned about hair loss?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you would like to learn more about red light therapy for hair growth and its effects on your scalp and hair, find answers to more questions: