Whatever your social media app of choice is, chances are high you’ve seen many people wearing a futuristic-looking head piece that emits red light in hopes to gain fuller and thicker hair. But does it actually work?
Board-certified trichologist Bridgette Hill and board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at The Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, Dendy Engelman, MD, break down everything you need to know about red light therapy. Read on below to learn more.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work For Hair Loss?
These devices use red light therapy, which, according to Hill, is a non-drug modality treatment for hair loss. It incorporates low laser therapy to the scalp and hair follicle as an effective treatment to manage thinning hair and other unwanted scalp conditions.
Red light therapy can work a couple of different ways to address hair loss. Dr. Engelman says that it may help increase cell turnover, stimulate blood flow and circulation, and create a healthy environment for hair to grow.
Hill explains that red light therapy helps promote the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which will then increase cellular metabolism and cellular activity, and reduce oxidative stress to ensure healthy conditions for the hair to grow. She adds that there are even studies that propose that red light therapy extends the anagen phase of the hair cycle, further promoting healthy hair growth.
But both Hill and Dr. Engelman say that there aren’t any studies that prove red light therapy has the ability to block dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone associated with hair loss. Studies show that an increased amount of DHT can shrink your hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle.
Other Benefits
Other benefits to using red light therapy for your hair, according to Hill, include overall better quality and condition of your strands. She explains that red light therapy can help reduce inflammation and normalize scalp conditions, which will then result in better manageability of your hair on top of the main benefit of possibly seeing new hair regrowth.
The Downsides
The downsides to using red light therapy for hair loss are minimal. Dr. Engelman says that it is generally well tolerated and not harmful. The only downside she can point out is that it can be a pricey endeavor. “Red light devices are expensive,” she says. “So I would recommend doing your research to ensure you’re comfortable with the investment.”
How to Treat Hair Loss
While red light therapy can potentially help with hair loss, it shouldn’t be the only thing you use to combat it. It should be a holistic approach, with you considering different things. “Managing hair loss is multifactorial,” says Hill. “Identifying the body’s internal hair loss triggers cannot be underestimated and must be addressed while incorporating tools like redlight therapy.”
“Hair loss is a highly emotional, oftentimes frustrating concern for my patients,” adds Dr. Engelman. “Treating hair loss is not always simple and it’s not a quick fix as the hair takes time to regrow.”
Along with red light therapy devices, both Hill and Dr. Engelman recommend using topical treatments to help stimulate hair growth. “Combining topical serums with red light therapy to the scalp supports cellular turnover, improves circulation, and blocks harmful androgens,” explains Hill. We like Vegamour’s GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum or Hers Women’s Minoxidil 2% Topical Solution to help with thinning hair. Dr. Engelman adds that she likes to recommend Nutrafol supplements and in-office treatment like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for added support.
If you’re looking for at-home red light therapy devices to try, she likes the REVIAN Red Hair Growth System. While definitely an investment, the results speak for themselves. “I have seen the benefits of this product first hand,” she says. “You just need to use it for 10 minutes a day and I love that it comes with an app to help you track your progress.”
Hill likes the Hairmax LaserBand, which she calls the “leader in red light LLT technology.” “They have extensive clinical trials and a patented parting teeth mechanism that separates the hair fibers to allow unobstructed clearing for red light to reach the scalp,” she says.
So if you’re able to budget it (because most at-home devices are on the pricier side), incorporating red light therapy into your hair routine could be really helpful. With minimal downsides, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to try.
