Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss

When you think of hair loss treatment, you might envision topical ointments, foams, and shampoos. Or, perhaps you think about hair transplant procedures in Turkey. There are other, lesser-known options, including special caps or helmets that emit beams of red light onto your scalp.

Red light therapy for hair loss is also known as low-level laser therapy. It involves head coverings that look like something out of a sci-fi film; it uses a technology called low-level light therapy (LLLT) to stimulate hair follicles, boost circulation to the scalp, and promote hair regrowth. Though the research behind their effectiveness is far from complete, some studies suggest these devices may help some people regrow their hair.

Read on to learn more about red light therapy for hair growth, along with other hair loss treatment options worth considering.

Also called laser hair growth treatment or cold laser therapy, red light therapy stimulates new growth by irradiating scalp tissues with photons, which improve growth in weak cells. (Irradiation means to treat with radiation or light, and photons are particles containing electromagnetic waves. The treatment is considered a safe and less invasive alternative to hair transplants. 

It’s not just a glorified laser pointer in a helmet. A particular wavelength is used to stimulate hair follicles at the hairline and elsewhere to return to the anagen phase (aka the growth stage of the hair-growth cycle).

A 2021 study in Annals of Dermatology found that a wavelength of 650 nanometers of red light was particularly effective in stimulating hair follicles and promoting hair growth.

You can also get an LLLT cap for at-home use. If you do, you’ll want to be diligent about following instructions, including any safety precautions.

Hair loss can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common among men is male pattern baldness — also called androgenetic alopecia or androgenic alopecia.

Male pattern baldness is generally caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone interferes with the hair growth cycle by shrinking hair follicles (sometimes called miniaturization) to cause thinning and hair loss. Eventually, hair restoration becomes impossible.

Aside from male pattern baldness, hair loss in men can also be caused by illness or stress. This loss, called telogen effluvium, is usually temporary.

Research shows that near-infrared (red laser light) can help with tissue repair and regeneration. This is why it’s often used to treat wounds and fade scars.

These devices work by giving off a light that penetrates the scalp. Many believe this light enhances blood flow to stimulate new hair growth.

So does red light therapy work for hair loss? There isn’t a lot of solid research to provide a solid answer. However, several studies have produced some encouraging findings.

The Research on Laser Light Therapy for Hair Loss

There are a handful of studies that show the promise of laser light therapy for hair loss: 

• A 2015 review of scientific research found that laser treatments for hair loss can improve the symptoms of male pattern baldness.

• A separate review of several high-quality studies found LLLT to be safe and effective for people with male pattern baldness.

• And another review of research found that 10 out of 11 studies of laser treatment devices showed solid improvements to both hair count and hair density for the treatment of hair loss.

• A review of clinical trials published in 2020 found laser hair therapy to be effective — but it also pointed out that some research was associated with the laser device industry, a clear conflict of interest.

So while the research is hardly finished, the current findings are hopeful. A 2024 report in Lasers in Medical Science notes that initial research into red light therapy for alopecia is encouraging and holds potential as the technology continues to become more refined. The researchers added, however, that irradiating the scalp does carry some potential side effects, including changes to scalp pigment.

When to Consider Red Light Therapy for Hair Growth

There are a few things to keep in mind before trying red light therapy to treat your hair loss. If you see phrases like “FDA cleared,” “FDA approved,” or “FDA certified” on a red light therapy device, it doesn’t guarantee results. Instead, these labels signify the FDA has determined that the item poses no more than a minimal health risk. The label doesn’t speak at all to the effectiveness of the cap or other red light therapy device, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

The AAD advises consulting with a dermatologist before trying any hair loss treatment in order to diagnose the cause of your hair loss and determine your best options for treatment.

“While there is some data LLLT may help with hair loss, the devices can be very expensive so I would consult a dermatologist first to discuss all your treatment options,” says board-certified dermatologist Knox Beasley, MD.  

Who Should Do Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss?

LLLT is currently considered a potential treatment for androgenetic alopecia and other forms of hair loss. Compared to topical and oral remedies, it has minimal side effects.

A 2021 study in the Journal of Cutaneus and Aesthetic Surgery suggests that LLLT may be a safe and effective option for individuals who have not responded to traditional androgenetic alopecia treatments.

Light treatment is an at-home option a dermatologist might recommend before suggesting hair transplant surgery — but most likely after discussing FDA-approved treatments (more on those later).

That said, a type of hair loss like alopecia areata associated with immune conditions likely won’t respond to LLLT — at least not on its own. This is because low-level light therapy doesn’t address the root cause of the disease.

Interested in trying a laser light cap? You may have to shell out a bit of money for one.

These devices start at just under $1,000 on average but can go for double or triple that price. There are less-expensive options for closer to $200, but as you go down in price, the power of the lights within the cap also diminishes.

For example, Capillus^®, a popular brand of hair-growth caps,  features built-in, low-level lasers with a total power output between 410 and 1,360 milliwatts. The lower-powered options from Capillus^® go for $899, while the higher-powered option is $2,499.

Here’s a breakdown of various red light therapy products and their price ranges:

Cost and milliwatts aren’t the only differences between these types of devices. While a cap covers most of the scalp, a band covers a much smaller area. The latter may be a better, more affordable option if you want to target a smaller portion of the scalp that is experiencing hair loss. All that said, there isn't overwhelming evidence that red light therapy will work for everyone, regardless of the type of device used. These devices may work for some, so if you’ve got money to throw around, it could be a potentially-beneficial investment. 

If you’re looking into treatment for hair loss, you’ll find that LLLT is hardly your only option. There are many popular alternatives for encouraging hair growth. These include:

• Finasteride. This medication is often used to treat male pattern baldness. It works by preventing your body from converting testosterone into DHT, the hormone that causes you to lose hair. A study with 522 participants found that over 99 percent of men who took finasteride over a 10-year period stopped their hair loss from worsening. Of those men, 91.5 percent noticed some regrowth.

• Minoxidil. This topical treatment comes in liquid and foam formulas and doesn’t require a prescription. It’s believed to work by making hair follicles enter the anagen (growth) phase. Minoxidil also increases blood flow to your scalp, which can stimulate hair growth. A 2019 review of topical minoxidil found that it improved hair growth in both men and women suffering from pattern hair loss.

• Finasteride and Minoxidil together. Finasteride and minoxidil are great on their own, but they can be even more effective when used together. A study found that roughly 94 percent of men dealing with hair loss showed an improvement in hair growth when taking both finasteride and minoxidil. This is compared to about 80 percent who saw an improvement using just finasteride and 50 percent who saw an improvement using only minoxidil. Consider our Hair Power Pack, which contains both treatment options. You can also try our finasteride & minoxidil spray that combines the two medications into one topical treatment.

• DHT-blocking shampoo. Some shampoos are specifically made to thicken hair, block the mechanism of DHT and stimulate hair growth. This thickening shampoo is made with saw palmetto — a natural ingredient thought to help reduce hair loss.

• Biotin. The B vitamin biotin has become quite buzzy because of the way it encourages healthy hair and growth. One study found that taking biotin supplements produces faster hair growth in people dealing with thinning hair. Biotin is naturally found in certain foods, like eggs, milk and bananas. You can also try out biotin gummies, which contain a bonus dose of vitamin D. (Low levels of vitamin D may contribute to hair shedding.)

Lifestyle Habits for Healthier Hair

Before you start taking medications or adding products to your routine, you might consider making changes to your everyday lifestyle. There are several factors that contribute to general hair health. 

Here are a few tips that might help give your hair a boost:

• Loosen your hairstyle. If you wear a tight man bun or have dreadlocks or braids, it could be causing traction hair loss. To prevent hair loss, change your style to something that doesn’t pull at your scalp.

• Eat nutrient-packed foods. Studies have shown that a lack of iron and zinc in your diet can be bad for the health of your hair. What’s more, people who increased these nutrients in their diet saw an improvement in hair growth. Good sources of zinc include crab, pork chops, cashews and oatmeal. Spinach, meat and seafood are good for iron.

• Stop smoking. Beyond the toll it can take on your lungs, lighting up can hurt your hair. Researchers have even found a link between smoking and hair loss. Smoke is actually a pollutant that can damage hair, and cigarettes have been found to negatively affect the DNA of hair follicles.

Considering light therapy for hair loss? Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Research is currently limited. There have been limited clinical studies on red light therapy for hair loss. But what has been researched shows positive results.

• It might help some men facing hair loss. If you’re dealing with male pattern baldness and looking for potential hair loss treatments, red light therapy could be a good option for you.

• Other options are available. But it’s also worth looking into FDA-cleared medications (which have a ton of science-backed research to support them) or lifestyle tweaks to help restore healthy hair growth.

To figure out what’s best for you, talk to a healthcare professional or explore hair loss solutions on our telehealth platform.