Capillus Reviews: Does the Capillus Hair Cap Work?

The Capillus® Laser Cap is a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) device marketed as a way to treat hair loss at home, without medication or surgery. So what do the Capillus reviews and studies say — does it actually treat hair loss?

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared Capillus laser therapy caps for the management of androgenetic alopecia, research on their effectiveness is limited, especially when compared with other hair loss treatments like minoxidil and finasteride. 

Below, we’ve explained more about what Capillus is, what reviews and research say about its effectiveness, and what other options you might want to consider for managing the symptoms of hair loss.

Capillus is a brand of FDA-approved laser light therapy caps designed to stop hair loss, stimulate hair growth, and energize and renew cells inside your hair follicles through the use of targeted light. They can be powered by a battery pack or AC adapter.

Capillus caps are available online through capillus.com and other retailers.

Capillus offers several different caps, starting from the entry-level CapillusUltra, to the mid-range CapillusOne, to the high-end CapillusPlus and CapillusPro. 

The Capillus laser therapy hats vary in laser energy output, spanning from 410 mW all the way up to 1,360 mW, with pricing ranging from $399 to $2,999 per device. The caps also vary in laser coverage, from 112 laser diodes in the entry-level devices to 304 in the higher-end models. 

According to Capillus, wearing a Capillus device for just six minutes a day is enough to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss from androgenetic alopecia from worsening.

Capillus caps are approved in the USA for use by men and women who are managing androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness.

Androgenic alopecia is associated with levels of the androgen dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Most treatments for hair loss work in one of two ways. Some work by blocking DHT, which shields hair follicles from DHT’s damaging effects. Others do not affect DHT levels, but work by stimulating hair growth at the scalp level, usually by promoting healthy blood flow or extending your natural hair cycle.

Capillus doesn’t block DHT within your scalp or prevent your body from producing DHT in the first place. It does, however, use focused, concentrated laser light to stimulate blood flow to your scalp.

One group of people who may consider this a great option are those who struggle with the side effects of other hair loss treatments. 

However, these devices are not necessarily a good option for everyone. If you have advanced hair loss (for example, your hair follicles are severely miniaturized), Capillus may not provide a large improvement in hair volume and growth.

Although the technology behind Capillus can theoretically work on anyone, it has currently been tested only on Fitzpatrick skin types I, II, III and IV. This technology currently isn’t approved for skin types V (brown, dark brown) or VI (very dark brown, black).

This means that if you have a dark brown skin tone, Capillus may not be a suitable treatment for your hair loss. 

Right now, there isn’t a large amount of scientific research on the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy devices such as Capillus for preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth.

However, a few peer-reviewed studies that looked at the effects of laser hair growth treatments have produced some promising findings:

• In a review published in the journal Lasers in Surgery and Medicine in 2014, researchers found that laser technology helped stimulate hair growth in mice with hair shedding, and in men and women experiencing pattern hair loss.

The researchers theorized that laser technology might treat human scalp hair loss by increasing the proportion of hairs that are in the anagen (growth) stage of the hair growth process.

Despite these findings, the scientists also discussed in their review that more scientific research is necessary before we can know the true long-term effectiveness of laser treatments for hair loss in men and women.

• Another review, which was published in Lasers in Medical Science in 2015, found that the devices appear to be both safe and effective for treating pattern hair loss in men and in women.

• A more recent review published in Skin Appendage Disorders also concluded that laser devices appear to be effective for treating pattern hair loss, but urged caution, as some studies were associated with the laser hair growth industry.

Capillus Cap Reviews

Capillus cap reviews are all over the internet, and most praise the benefits, the discrete size, and the comfort.

Most reviews of Capillus on websites such as Trustpilot are positive, although some customers have shared complaints and negative reviews about the company’s customer service, satisfaction guarantee, warranty, and return policy. 

There’s a reason for the generally positive reviews.

Unlike most hair loss devices, the caps sold by Capillus look discrete and normal, with a design that’s almost identical to an off-the-shelf baseball cap. They’ve even been featured on TV; one episode of Queer Eye, for example, mentioned the hair growth cap as a confidence-boosting device. 

Laser hair growth devices have been around for quite a while, but it’s only recently that discreet, non-bulky devices like Capillus have come onto the market.

Previously, most laser-based hair growth devices were bulky machines found in clinic offices, as well as combs, brushes and other handheld equipment. 

With this said, not all Capillus customers seem to be happy with the product and its safety as a hair growth device. 

A Capillus lawsuit was filed by a customer in 2020 against Curallux, the company that produces Capillus products, alleging that the caps cause problems such as dandruff, headaches, nausea and other issues, and that these aren’t properly disclosed in Capillus advertising.

The lawsuit also claims that the “physician recommended” marketing claims about Capillus laser hats are misleading due to commercial relationships between doctors and Curallux.

Capillus Cap Research

As for Capillus hair products specifically, there isn’t much research on these FDA-cleared devices.

Capillus caps are backed up by a small clinical study that looked into the effects of a 650 nm laser sports cap on women experiencing pattern hair loss.

The study had a positive outcome, with the women achieving an average 51 percent increase in hair growth over the course of 17 weeks of treatment.

All Capillus devices should be used for six minutes daily to stimulate hair growth. Older devices, such as those made before September 2017, can be worn for 30 minutes on alternating days.

Capillus is best used when your hair is dry, meaning you’ll want to let any topical hair care products or medications like minoxidil fully dry before using your Capillus hair cap.

Like other hair loss treatments, Capillus can require some time to produce results. You’ll likely only notice small changes during the first three months of treatment.

Capillus claims that more significant results typically take between 12 and 24 months to occur.

Low-level laser therapy devices such as Capillus appear to be safe, with only minor dermatology side effects reported in most research. 

Side effects associated with laser hair growth devices include:

• Dry skin

• Itchy skin

• Irritation

• Scalp tenderness

• A warm sensation at the scalp

Some study participants have also noted a small increase in hair shedding during the first few weeks of treatment.

Overall, the reported side effects of most laser therapy devices for hair loss are mild, and there’s no evidence that side effects persist when the devices aren’t actively used.

So, how much does the Capillus cap cost? The lowest Capillus cap price is $399, which buys a CapillusUltra, the company’s entry-level model.

The Capillus Pro S1 (the company’s most powerful and expensive hair growth cap) is available at a retail price of $2,999.

Payment plans are available for all Capillus caps, allowing customers to pay for their device on a monthly basis instead of all at once.

From a value perspective, products like the Capillus caps might be mixed. Although they’re far from cheap, they’re available via a lump sum, without the need and added expense of monthly medications or supplements.  

Laser therapy caps like Capillus are commonly promoted as at-home options for slowing down, stopping, and even reversing the effects of male and female pattern hair loss. 

Are they effective? Are they worth it? Here’s what you need to know:

• Although research is limited, some scientific studies suggest that Capillus may help to stimulate hair growth and help you maintain healthier hair if you’re in the early stages of hair loss. 

• Capillus caps are a less invasive option compared with hair transplant surgeries and medications.

• Many customer reviews have confirmed that using the device can lead to hair regrowth, though the new hair may take some time to begin appearing.

• While the Capillus laser hair cap is an interesting hair loss treatment option, it comes with a hefty price tag and isn’t backed up by a fraction as much research as hair loss medications such as finasteride and minoxidil. 

If you have thinning hair and don’t know where to start, you can learn more about the best ways to stop hair loss, stimulate growth, and promote thick, healthy hair in our complete guide to the most effective treatments for thinning hair. 

You can also set up an online consultation about hair loss with a healthcare professional to find out what treatments might be best for you.