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Scroll TikTok and you’ll likely come across reels heralding a newly buzzy trend: red light therapy for hair growth. This technology—promoted by doctors, influencers, and celebs (hi, Lili Reinhart!)—seems to be a surefire solution for anyone wanting thicker, healthier strands.
But, um, does this popular treatment actually help hair grow? And is it worth the hefty price tag (think hundreds, and sometimes several thousands, of dollars for a single red light therapy device)? We consulted dermatologists for the all the must-know intel on what red light therapy can—and can’t—do for your mane, plus which products are worth trying.
Below are five devices, including three recommended by experts, worth considering.
Type: Cap | FDA Approved or Cleared?: Cleared | Return Policy: Can return within one year for 25% return fee (plus shipping charges, credit card fees, or taxes)
Recommended by Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in NYC, this is an FDA-cleared device for treating both male- and female-pattern hair loss. Spoiler: It’s super pricey (there is a monthly payment option to reduce up-front costs), but the benefits are legit. “The device allows for full scalp coverage and is portable, allowing patients to resume daily activities while undergoing treatment,” Dr. Green says.
Steve Daveluy, MD, an associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University in Detroit, only recommends products that are proven to work, and the science certainly supports this device: In a 2017 double-blind, placebo-controlled study of adult men and women with pattern baldness, Revian Red was shown to be an effective treatment alternative to chemical-based topicals (like minoxidil, which is found in OTC hair-growth products) and prescription drugs (like finasteride), according to results published by the company. Another plus: The cap format, which you control through a smartphone app, is “convenient, since you can treat the whole scalp at once,” Dr. Daveluy says.
Type: Cap | FDA Approved or Cleared?: Cleared | Return Policy: Can return within six months for full refund, if you’ve used it for at least 145 days (usage tracked through smartphone app)
Type: Comb | FDA Approved or Cleared?: Cleared | Return Policy: Can return within six months for a full refund
Red light therapy combs aren’t as efficient as caps or hats–they don’t cover your entire scalp, so you have to move them around until you’ve treated the entire area–but they’re way more budget-friendly. Dr. Daveluy recommends this brand, which offers two comb options that come at just a fraction of the cost of your typical cap. Using a comb takes more time per treatment than a cap, but Dr. Daveluy says patients just do it while watching TV or relaxing, which really isn’t the worst thing in the world. Plus, HairMax combs are backed by science: For example, a 2014 study of 269 men and women with pattern hair loss concluded the device “may be an effective option.”
Willing to shell out the big bucks? HairMax also offers red light therapy caps and bands that cover a wider surface area.
Type: Cap | FDA Approved or Cleared?: Cleared | Return Policy: Can return via Amazon for full refund within 30 days
As the least expensive cap-helmet option on this list, the iRestore may be a good choice for budget-conscious folks who still want a quality product with a wide surface area (the device is designed for extended scalp coverage and is FDA cleared for men and women with certain types of pattern baldness).
Reviewers rave about its effectiveness and ease of use. One reviewer, who describes himself as a 42-year-old man, noted “really awesome” improvement in his hair growth after using the cap, plus taking daily Finasteride (a medication used for treating male pattern hair loss), for nearly six months. Another customer, who upped their protein intake in addition to using the cap regularly, reported results after about two months of use. “I’m calling this money well spent,” they wrote. “I even bought a couple of hair pieces to wear before this, but now I won’t be needing them anymore, which is so liberating!” A small number of low ratings center on the product being ineffective.
Type: Helmet | FDA Approved or Cleared? Cleared | Return Policy: Can return via Amazon for full refund within 30 days
Cleared by the FDA for use in both men and women with pattern hair loss, this cordless device boasts strong customer reviews. “I love this dome!” one reviewer wrote. “My hair isn’t falling out in my shower or brush.” Another reviewer, who said they bought the device for themselves and their husband, shared before and after photos of both people that show visible hair growth. “We are more than pleased with our Theradome!” the reviewer wrote, explaining they’d been using it for 18 months and it had provided an alternative solution to volumizing shampoos, Nioxin, and Minoxidil. Though reviews are overwhelmingly positive (a 4.1-star average out of 348 votes), there is some commentary, mostly centered on the product not working for some people and issues with the device not charging properly, so keep that in mind.
Red light therapy for hair loss is treatment that involves exposing hair follicles and the surrounding skin to a red light to encourage strands to grow. Known more formally as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), this approach uses specific wavelengths of red light (typically between 650 and 655 nanometers) to cause hairs to stay in their growth (anagen) phase longer, which ultimately boosts hair growth, explains Steve Daveluy, MD, an associate professor and program director of dermatology at Wayne State University in Detroit. It can also encourage hairs in the resting (telogen) cycle to get back into the growth phase faster, while reducing inflammation around the hair follicles and revving metabolism in the hair follicle–both of which spur hair growth, he says.
Red light therapy can be delivered in various forms, including lights, caps or hats, helmets, bands, and combs.
In short, yes! “Many clinical trials have been completed on red light therapy for hair loss, and they have displayed marked improvement in hair growth, density, and tensile strength,” says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in NYC.
More specifically, research shows red light therapy can promote hair growth in both men and women with androgenetic alopecia (also known as male and female pattern baldness), Dr. Green says. Additional studies demonstrated it can help combat alopecia areata (a separate type of alopecia that often causes patchy bald spots), Dr. Daveluy says. It could also work for other types of hair loss, too, “since the red light just helps create a nice environment to promote hair growth,” he says. The caveat: We don’t yet have the results to back this up, though researchers are currently studying it.
In terms of how effective red light therapy can be for hair loss, studies have shown that it can increase the number of hairs by an average of 9 to 10 hairs per centimeter squared, Dr. Daveluy says. “That probably doesn’t mean much to most people, but it’s similar to the results you can get from using topical minoxidil 5% [an FDA-approved medication for reversing hair follicle miniaturization],” he says. “It’s a noticeable difference.”
All that said, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations about red light therapy for hair loss, says Danilo C. Del Campo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Chicago Skin Clinic: “Results can vary based on individual factors and the specifics of the device and treatment protocol used.” So just because a device seemingly worked wonders for your fave #HairTok influencer doesn’t mean it’s going to be the cure-all solution for you.
In general, derms are supportive of red light therapy for hair loss, pointing to its proven benefits backed up by clinical trials. But they caution that it’s best used as one component of a broader strategy to promote healthy hair.
Dr. Green suggests pairing it with other treatments–like topical minoxidil solution, prescribed oral medications, and in-office approaches such as platelet-rich plasma injections–to fully boost and support hair retention and regrowth. Interested in incorporating red light therapy into your hair loss treatment plan? Consult with your dermatologist to confirm it’s the right step for you, Dr. Green says.
Dr. Del Campo, for his part, agrees that when it comes to hair loss, getting a personalized treatment plan is best to maximize results. That said, for general hair care he recommends folks follow the basic tenets of a healthy lifestyle–properly managing stress, getting adequate shut-eye, ensuring high protein intake, and avoiding products that may trigger allergies or irritation on the scalp.
Also worth noting: Since red light therapy devices can be costly–the ones mentioned in this article range from $200 to nearly $3,000 (!!)–Dr. Daveluy typically tells patients to first consider more budget-friendly options, like topical minoxidil 5% and finasteride (a prescription pill sometimes used for pattern hair loss). The catch: “All treatments for pattern hair loss have to be continued as long as you want them to work, since nature is trying to make you lose your hair and we're fighting nature,” Dr. Daveluy says. “So the cost of cheaper treatments adds up over the years.” Still, he recommends them as a “great place to start.” From there, red light therapy can be a good option if folks want to bolster their hair care treatment. That said, there’s nothing saying you can’t start with red light therapy off the bat, if it fits within your budget.
Last tip: When using red light therapy, take it as an opportunity to practice mindfulness or meditation, Dr. Daveluy says. Here’s how: While the treatment is doing its thing, take some deep breaths, focus on the sensation in your scalp, and imagine the red light traveling to the roots of your hair and imbuing them with energy to grow, he says.
Some good news: There are not any known severe side effects of red light therapy, Dr. Green says. During clinical trials, some patients reported minor annoyances like dryness, itching, and scalp tenderness, but the effects were not severe enough for them to quit treatment and they went away within two weeks, she explains.
Dr. Del Campo advises people who are sensitive to the sun or who have conditions that are exacerbated by exposure to intense light to chat with a board-certified derm before trying red light therapy. “A tailored approach, possibly including a patch test or a modified treatment protocol, can help mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety and comfort of all patients,” he says.
For the majority of folks, though, the chance of having legit side effects is slim to none. In fact, “most people don’t have any side effects at all,” Dr. Daveluy says. He sees the biggest risk of these devices as simply not seeing strong results. “You have to purchase the device and use it for weeks to months before you know if it’s working, so your pocketbook may experience the most pain if it doesn’t end up working,” he says.
Some unfortunate news: Red light therapy probably isn’t your ticket to counteracting gray strands. “While many people believe that red light therapy can stimulate melanin production to reverse gray hairs, there is little data to support this,” Dr. Green says. “Once the melanocytes within a hair follicle die, the pigmentation will be lost, and new hairs grown from the follicle will be gray-colored.”
For now, she says, the only effective way to combat silver hair is with the tried-and-true method: hair dye.
Look for devices that are FDA approved or cleared, since that means companies have tested them for safety and effectiveness, Dr. Green says. Take note of any clinical trials that support a product’s claims. “I stick with the devices that have clinical trials that prove they work,” Dr. Daveluy says, adding that the most powerful trials are randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled.
Beyond that, Dr. Del Campo recommends products from well-established US-based companies known for quality control and customer service. “This approach helps ensure you’re getting a product that’s both safe and supported by a reputable provider,” he explains.
To that end, don’t be tempted by cheap, online imitations, Dr. Del Campo warns. “These often come from questionable sources lacking in regulatory approval and quality controls, which could compromise your treatment’s safety and effectiveness,” he says. “By prioritizing devices from reputable sources, you’re investing in your health with confidence.”
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