The results speak for themselves.
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Hair loss is a difficult thing to deal with—full stop. “When I was struggling with stress-induced shedding during the first few years of the pandemic, all I could focus on were the growing number of strands that fell out in the shower and the widening patches of skin that appeared on my scalp. All I wanted was for it to stop, and I was always searching for answers,” ELLE.com associate e-commerce writer Carol Lee says. And while scalp serums, thickening shampoos, and natural remedies like rice water are touted to help, several other solutions, like hair supplements and a high-tech hair growth device, could deliver quicker results. “The best approach to treat hair loss is a multimodal approach. I recommend certain supplements, medications, and light therapy devices,” says Dr. Karan Lal, a double-board certified dermatologist.
Whether the shedding or thinning you’re experiencing is stress-related or genetic, unfortunately, there is no magic bullet that will get your hair back to where it once was overnight. But a hair growth device that uses red light therapy (yes, just like the best LED face masks) can be a useful tool to have, especially when using a multi-pronged approach. We searched high and low for the best, most highly rated devices on the market. Below, you’ll find our five favorite hair growth devices that can help you reach fuller, thicker hair. Just remember that, as with everything else, consistency is key.
This helmet uses red light therapy to target shrinking follicles, stopping hair growth and allowing it to grow back. “The CurrentBody device is powerful, hands-free, and has Bluetooth speakers, which is a really nice touch,” says Dr. Finney. For just ten minutes a day, this device’s clinical trials have shown a reversal of hair loss in just four months.
A CurrentBody reviewer says: “Easy to use and size fits perfectly. It’s so nice that the timer and Bluetooth connected automatically. It’s comfortable to wear and its weight is not heavy. The light feels warm and the material feel so durable!”
Think of this device as an oversized headband that works overtime to reduce and reverse hair loss. Whether you prefer to use it preventatively or to target specific areas, this uses red light therapy to assist in your hair growth goals. “The Hairmax device is great for people with really early stages of hair loss that may have very thick hair; the device has teeth that part the hair to allow the light to get to the scalp,” says Dr. Finney.
Best used: Three times a week
An Amazon reviewer says: “Very good device! It works fast! You can see the results in a very short time. My hair started growing back and thickening very quick! It’s even helping me with the grey hairs–are turning back to my original color! I love this product! Its 100% worth the purchase!”
While this device doesn’t claim to help regrow hair overnight, it does promise results quicker than others on the market. Using laser technology, this helmet improves hair density and volume and stimulates hair growth in as little as one month. Plus, while most devices recommend daily treatments, Theradome recommends 20-minute sessions twice weekly. “I also like the Theradome PRO LH80. It is easy to use and makes for a painless at-home treatment,” says Dr. Lal.
Best used: Two times a week
An Amazon reviewer says: “This product saved my long, pretty hair. I’d lost so much hair from the stress of learning I had a brain tumor and then from general anesthesia from the necessary cranial surgery. Ultimately, I had bald patches on the sides of my hair and thinning around the incision and top of my head. For over a year nothing helped and my hair loss worsened. BUT! Within 3 months of using Theradome, I saw baby hairs return. After a year of use my hair is back to 80% with new hair coming in daily. I will never be without my Theradome!”
If you’re unsure about investing in a device to reduce hair loss, this tool makes it easy to have no regrets. Not only are the clinical results astonishing–100 percent of men studied saw significant results–but if you don’t love it, you can return it even six months later. Plus, with comfortable padding and hands-free technology, you can go about your day mid-treatment without worry. “I like the iRestore Essential Device. My mom uses it. It is very comfortable and easy to use. It has laser and light-emitting diodes. It is affordable, and the company is very responsive,” says Dr. Lal.
Best used: Three times a
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been wanting to try this machine since I’ve seen it reviewed on YouTube but the price and skepticism held me back. Thank goodness for the money back guarantee and holiday sale!! I have been using the system for only a month now but I do see some improvement. I didn’t experience much shedding as claimed which is good.”
Using the Vicmama Laser Therapy Cap is as simple as wearing a baseball cap. The cordless device can be used to mitigate female and male pattern baldness—just pop it on for 15–30 minutes every other day to see results. Plus, the shape makes it easy to watch TV, wash the dishes, or do other chores around the house while you're at it.
Best used: Three times a week
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using the laser therapy cap for 6 weeks and have already noticed new hair growth! This is an amazing product and I can’t wait to see what results I get in several months from now!”
Dr. Robert Finney is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and hair loss expert based in New York City.
Dr. Karan Lal is double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Scotssdale, Arizona.
“By far and away, the leading cause of hair loss in both men and women is androgenetic alopecia. Almost all men and around 50 percent of women in their lifetime will suffer from genetic hair loss,” says Dr. Finney. While genetics are the main factors that lead to hair loss, stress can also be a factor, adds Dr. Lal. “Telogen effluvium is a post-stress form of hair loss,” says Dr. Lal.
“The hair market has grown substantially in the past few years. For many people, their hair is an identifier. Hair loss is a very emotional condition in my clinic, with many of my patients having depression and anxiety related to their hair loss,” says Dr. Lal.
The pandemic also increased the need for more support for patients suffering from stress-induced hair loss. “There is a type of temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. In this condition, a lot of the hairs all over the scalp going into the resting phase all at once–this is seen clinically as an abrupt significant increase in shedding. COVID was a cause of this–so during the pandemic many people were noticeably concerned when they saw a lot of hair fall. This has likely driven a lot of focus on the cause and treatments of hair loss,” adds Dr. Finney.
“Low-level laser light therapy in the red light range triggers a reaction in the cells that help regenerate the hair to do several things: improve the blood supply a nutrients, improve the health of the cells that help regenerate the hair, help reduce the local effects of hormones on the hair follicle. All of this helps to regrow new hairs, as well as reverse the miniaturization of damaged hairs,” says Dr. Finney.
“There are many different types of light therapy for hair loss. There is red light, and there is blue light. Red light reduces inflammation and increases energy in our skin and hair cells. Blue light, on the other hand, is said to induce low-level hair growth through a different mechanism. In a recent study, blue light increased hair density and shaft diameter by 90% after ten weeks of use. Similar findings have been reported with red light helmets as well,” says Dr. Lal.
If the thought of putting a high-tech helmet on top of your head makes you nervous, you don’t need to worry. “It doesn’t get any safer. For one thing, it is just light, which is natural. It doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin. We have plenty of studies to support the use of red light to help with inflammation and signs of aging, so there is that added benefit compared to some of our topical options that can create inflammation. I will often recommend these devices in conjunction with a topical routine. Not only do we have studies to support synergy between the two, if you were to get any irritation from a topical, the red light could help ameliorate it!” says Dr. Finney.
However, it is important to know that there can be some mild side effects, depending on the tool you use. “Blue light devices can darken your hair or scalp because blue light does affect pigment-making cells, so just be mindful of that,” says Dr. Lal. Each device comes with a certain set of instructions, so it’s important to read the manual carefully and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.
If you already use hair loss serums or supplements, there’s no need to put them aside once you begin using a hair growth device. “For genetic hair loss, the combination approach always yields the best results. We have plenty of clinical trials that show this. It is important for patients with genetic hair loss to realize that there is no cure; it is a progressive condition. So, pick a treatment routine that you are okay with the side effects and one that is sustainable in the long run for you and your lifestyle. So I always lay out the different options, discuss their efficacies and drawbacks then come up with a plan specific to each patient. It is important to reinforce that with hair loss, results are slow. Take good photos before starting a treatment routine and set a reminder to check back in on it in 4-6 months. Results take time,” says Dr. Finney.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Tatjana Freund consulted skin and hair experts to learn about the benefits of using red light therapy devices to treat genetic and stress-induced hair loss, and she and Carol Lee combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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