Laser Treatment for Hair Loss: A Complete Guide

If you’re experiencing hair loss and you want to do something about it, one option to consider is laser therapy. Laser treatment for hair loss is a newer option for hair regrowth, and it’s safer and more tolerable than you might suspect.

Red light therapy — also called cold laser therapy or low-level light therapy (LLLT) — stimulates hair follicles by exposing the scalp to photons that encourage hair growth. 

Not to be confused with laser hair removal treatment, LLLT can be a gamechanger for men with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) — but there are some drawbacks to the treatment.

Below, we explain the science behind laser hair growth treatments and how effective laser hair therapy actually is, as well as other science-based treatment options for hair loss.

Laser treatment for hair loss, or low-level laser therapy, is a treatment option for several different types of hair loss.

Laser hair growth treatments are designed to increase blood flow and nutrient supply to stimulate the growth of new hairs. Currently, there are numerous laser products available to treat hair loss, including at-home hand-held devices, laser caps, and larger devices used in salons and clinics.

The idea of using a laser to treat hair loss first appeared in the 1960s, when mice exposed to low-power laser light experienced hair growth. 

Evidence suggests it may work by triggering vasodilation (a widening of blood vessels) and stimulating blood flow to specific areas of your skin, including your hair follicles. Researchers believe that this causes your hair to enter the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle. 

Several different laser devices are available to treat hair loss. Large laser hair growth machines, which typically have a hood that fits over the scalp, are commonly used in hair loss clinics and hair salons. Smaller devices, like red light therapy laser hair growth combs, hats and helmets, are designed using similar technology for use at home.

While several studies on laser treatment for hair loss have shown positive results, more research is needed. There isn’t enough high-quality scientific research to confirm whether laser treatments for hair growth are effective. 

Overall, though, the results are largely positive.

A 2015 review looked at 21 relevant studies on LLLT for hair growth. Of those studies, only 5 were randomized controlled trials, and they focused on androgenetic alopecia. The review concluded that FDA-cleared LLLT devices are safe and effective for treating male and female pattern hair loss.  

Another 2015 review reached a similar conclusion.  

A 2018 scientific review, which looked at 11 clinical trials, found that 10 out of the 11 studies concluded that laser hair treatment devices showed significant improvements in hair growth. The other study showed some improvements but the results did not reach statistical significance.

A 2020 scientific review published in Skin Appendage Disorders concluded that laser hair therapy appears to be effective, with a good safety profile and minor side effects. However, it also noted that some of the research conducted thus far appears to be associated with the laser hair device industry.

More recently, a 2024 study looked at seven randomized controlled trials that explored laser hair growth therapy for androgenic alopecia. It found that all seven trials concluded that it was effective and had no noted side effects. 

Future research will hopefully tell us more about how to optimize laser therapy for hair loss — for example, the most effective wavelength to use.

Like other treatment options for hair loss, low-level laser therapy has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages of this type of hair loss treatment include:

• It’s painless and non-invasive

• It doesn’t seem to cause side effects

• The available research suggests it is effective

Disadvantages include: 

• It can be expensive

• It’s time-consuming and can be inconvenient

• It shouldn’t be used alongside medications or treatments that cause photosensitivity

• More research is needed on the safety and effectiveness of laser hair growth therapy. 

Before you decide whether to undergo laser hair growth treatments, it’s a good idea to clear it with a healthcare professional — especially if you’re taking any medications or have a medical condition. 

Laser hair growth treatments, or low-level laser therapy, aim to improve hair growth and treat hair loss by improving circulation and stimulating new hair growth.

Most laser hair growth therapy devices work by emitting a light that penetrates the scalp. Although the scientific research is limited, proponents of laser therapy believe that this may enhance blood flow and stimulate laser hair restoration. 

For instance, near-infrared or red light lasers can promote the repair and regeneration of tissue. Because of this, laser therapy is often used by dermatologists for wound healing and a variety of cosmetic skin treatments.

A variety of LLLT devices are available today, including caps, helmets and combs that use laser technology to thicken hair. We’ve listed some of the most common devices below, along with information on how each one works and its effectiveness on thinning hair.

Capillus^® and Other Laser Hair Regrowth Caps

Capillus is a popular brand of hair regrowth caps. Marketed as “laser therapy caps,” they feature built-in, low-level lasers with a total power output ranging from 410 to 1,560 milliwatts. 

Capillus sells medical-grade, FDA-cleared products that are marketed as being “recommended” by physicians. They’re also backed by a small scientific study that showed patients achieved a 51 percent increase in hair count over the course of 17 weeks. 

Despite this study, it’s unclear how effective Capillus products are as a treatment for male pattern baldness. The company’s study was carried out on women with hair loss and featured no male participants, making it difficult to draw any definitive conclusions about its efficacy beyond female pattern hair loss.

Further, the study was supported by the company’s head of quality assurance and governmental affairs, which suggests a potential for bias in the study’s results.

Beyond this study, it’s also worth noting that Capillus has attracted some attention from the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau for its somewhat aggressive marketing practices.

Lastly, Capillus products are a little on the pricier side, with its cheapest hair loss cap selling for more than $900 retail.

Laser Bands, Combs, Helmets and Other Products

A variety of bands, combs, helmets and other products containing lasers are often marketed as hair regrowth treatments for home use. Many of these products claim to produce superior results compared to other hair loss treatments, and in a convenient, easy-to-use form.

In general, the scientific evidence to support these marketing claims is mixed. 

Some products, such as the HairMax Lasercomb^®, are backed by scientific evidence. For instance, a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology found a modest but statistically significant difference in terminal hair density between people who used the Lasercomb and those who used a placebo device.

However, other products aren’t backed up much in the way of scientific research, and instead largely rely on marketing claims and customer testimonials.

Further, like other laser hair growth devices, bands, combs and helmets generally aren’t cheap. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars for some devices to thousands of dollars for others.

The cost of laser treatment for hair loss can vary depending on your location, the severity of your hair loss and the type of laser device used during treatment. 

When performed in a clinic, laser therapy will likely cost somewhere around the hundred dollar range per session. At-home laser treatment devices such as hats, helmets and combs can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Interested in boosting hair growth, but not sold on laser therapy? The good news is you have plenty of options. 

Your first port-of-call should be proven hair loss treatments, such as:

• Minoxidil. This topical treatment is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for hair loss. It stimulates hair follicles and promotes regrowth. It’s available over the counter as minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution.    

• Finasteride. The other FDA-approved treatment for hair loss is finasteride, a prescription option usually taken as an oral medication. It reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes male pattern baldness.

• A combo treatment. Minoxidil and finasteride work better together. Try our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray.

You could also try:

• DHT-blocking shampoos. Look for shampoo containing ingredients like saw palmetto or ketoconazole to reduce levels of DHT in the scalp. For example, our thickening shampoo contains saw palmetto. 

• Supplements. Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hair loss. In this case, supplements like biotin, zinc, and iron can support healthy hair growth.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP injections, a newer hair loss treatment, use your body’s growth factors to stimulate dormant hair follicles.

• Hair transplant surgery. Hair restoration surgery is expensive, and it’s an invasive treatment. But it is an effective, long-term solution for significant hair loss.

You’ll also want to practice good hair care habits to reduce damage and keep your hair looking its best.

If you’re not sure where to start, a healthcare professional can help. Make an appointment with a clinician — like a GP or a dermatologist — to explore your options. 

Laser hair growth is a relatively new hair loss treatment. If you’re struggling with thinning hair, it might be worth a shot. 

But keep the following in mind: 

• Laser hair growth therapy has its downsides. It’s costly, it can be inconvenient, and it’s not a good choice if you take medicine that makes your skin sensitive to light.

• The research is promising. While we need more research on the topic, the available studies suggest laser therapy can promote hair growth with few side effects. 

• There are other hair loss treatments out there. You can use evidence-backed treatments like minoxidil and finasteride instead of — or along with — laser therapy.

If you’ve noticed the signs of hair loss, it’s a good idea to talk to a licensed healthcare provider about your options. They can help you figure out whether laser therapy or another treatment will be suitable for you.  

You can take our free online assessment to start exploring your treatment options.