Does Red Light Therapy Work For Hair Loss?

If you’re losing hair, then you’ll have been wondering what options are available to you. Red light therapy (or low-level laser therapy) is a great option for early stages of hair loss or if you’ve had a hair transplant. Read on for the full breakdown of red light therapy and its effectiveness for male pattern baldness.

Overview

• Red light therapy (RLT) is a hair loss treatment to prevent hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. A light emitting skull cap is applied to the head and light is absorbed by the scalp. This is to promote hair growth.
• Red light therapy is best used consistently by the patient. Most patients use red light therapy 3-5 times a week for several months. This treatment can also be used to improve the final result of an FUE hair transplant.
• Red light therapy is suitable for both men and women with early-to-mid androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. It’s a non-invasive treatment and a great alternative to medications like finasteride or dutasteride.

The Breakdown: Does Red Light Therapy Prevent Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a common problem affecting millions of people worldwide, leading to frustration, low self-esteem and a search for solutions. In the UK, 40% of men will suffer from male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) by age 40. So it’s no surprise that there are many hair loss treatments from topical foams and DHT blocking medications to full on medical treatments like PRP therapy and hair transplants.

Among the many options available, red light therapy has gained a lot of attention for its ability to promote hair growth. Although this treatment isn’t “mainstream” in the same way as DHT-blockers or PRP therapy, scientific evidence shows that using a red light therapy device can result in significant hair growth when used consistently.

A red light therapy device is a simple piece of equipment that doesn’t need to be worked or administered by a hair transplant surgeon or technician. Just buy a high quality device online (do your research) and follow the instructions. For more powerful laser treatments you can book an appointment with a hair transplant clinic!So if you want to prevent hair loss or stimulate hair growth on your hairline or crown then low power laser therapy may be for you! Especially if you want a minimally invasive, non-surgical hair loss treatment.

Red Light Therapy: What is Low Level Laser Therapy?

Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity. The most common wavelengths for hair regrowth are between 630 to 670 nanometers (nm) and 800 to 850 nm.

These wavelengths penetrate the scalp and are believed to increase mitochondrial function, blood flow and stimulate hair follicles. By using a red light therapy device you are encouraging your hair follicles to stay in the growth (anagen) phase of the hair growth cycle, which delays the shedding (telogen) and resting (catagen) phases.

Originally developed for wound healing and tissue repair, red light therapy has since been used for various applications including reducing inflammation, relieving pain and treating skin conditions. But its use in hair regrowth has drawn particular interest due to promising preliminary research and clinical studies.

Red Light Therapy Cost

In the UK the cost of LLLT (Low Level Laser Therapy) can range from £200 to £1,500 depending on the device and whether you go for in-clinic treatments or buy a home device.

Home devices can cost between £200 and £800. It all depends on the quality of the device and what you are willing to spend. The more you pay the more effective it will be.

If you are looking at visiting a hair loss clinic a typical single session will cost between £45 and £75. Most clinics recommend multiple sessions for optimal results so the total cost will be higher. However these are likely to be discounted bundle/package deals.

How Does a Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Device Work?

The principle behind red light therapy for hair growth is that light energy is absorbed by the cells of the scalp, leading to several physiological changes that may promote hair regeneration. Let’s break it down below:1. Choosing the right low level laser device – First off with any level of light therapy is to ensure you are choosing the right treatment and device. Laser caps and helmets are hands-free, wearable devices that target the scalp to stimulate hair growth. One of these will cost between £250 to £900.

2. Create a hair care routine that is easy to follow – to get results from your red light therapy device use the device for 10-20 minutes 3-5 times a week. You will need to do this for 3-6 months. Make sure you wear protective goggles if required. Make sure you have a comfortable chair and can do something relaxing like reading a book or listening to a podcast!
3. Keep your scalp clean and healthy – to get the most out of light therapy for hair loss make sure your scalp is clean and hygienic. Wash your hair every other day and avoid harsh chemicals that may irritate your scalp.
4. Take before and after pictures – one of the best ways to track your hair restoration journey is to take pictures before, during and after using red light therapy. This way you can see the improvements and make sure the device is working.

Something you may also want to consider when using red light therapy is combining this treatment with other medications and treatments. Why not use minoxidil or natural oils like rosemary oil for extra stimulation. Have you considered microneedling or gentle scalp massages to boost blood flow and absorption of topical products?

What are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy For Hair Loss?

So you know what red light therapy (low level light therapy) is and how it works. But why should you use red light therapy for hair loss? Well here are the science-backed benefits of red light therapy

Red Light Therapy Stimulates Your Hair Follicles

Hair follicles go through a natural cycle of growth (anagen), rest (telogen), and shedding (catagen). When follicles become dormant, hair thinning and baldness occurs. Red light therapy is believed to reactivate dormant follicles, extend the anagen phase and prevent premature follicle miniaturisation.

Red Light Therapy Boosts Cellular Energy Production

Red light therapy interacts with mitochondria in cells to increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. ATP is the energy currency of cells and increased production can stimulate follicular function and new hair growth.

This is unique to red light therapy and only possible with light emitting diodes. So why not increase your hair density with a low level light therapy skull cap?

Red Light therapy Increases Blood Circulation

Healthy hair follicles need a good supply of oxygen and nutrients. RLT has been shown to increase microcirculation in the scalp allowing more oxygen and essential nutrients to reach hair follicles promoting growth.

Like minoxidil and microneedling red light therapy ensures your hair follicles are receiving all the nutrients they need to survive and thrive.

Red Light therapy Reduces Inflammation on the Scalp

Inflammation is a contributing factor to hair loss in conditions such as androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Inflammation is also caused by hair loss treatments like hair transplants and PRP therapy.

Red light therapy has anti-inflammatory properties that can create a healthier scalp environment for hair growth. So by reducing inflammation you are creating a healthy environment for your hair follicles and doing everything you can for healthy hair growth.

But is There Any Scientific Evidence to Support Red Light Therapy?

Yes! There are many clinical trials and scientific evidence supporting the use of red light therapy for hair loss conditions like male pattern baldness. But what do the studies say?

First: Red Light Therapy Increases Hair Density and Thickness

A 2014 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology [1] looked at the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on men and women with androgenetic alopecia.

After 26 weeks of treatment participants experienced a 35% increase in hair growth compared to the placebo group. So using red light therapy for 6 months can increase your hair density and treat thinning hair.

Second: Red Light Therapy is as (if Not More) Effective than Hair Loss Treatment Alternatives

A 2017 meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology [2] compared various treatments for androgenetic alopecia, including red light therapy and minoxidil. The study found LLLT was effective in promoting hair growth with minimal side effects compared to minoxidil.

So although red light therapy is a more expensive treatment than minoxidil it has been shown to be more effective for pattern baldness.

Third: Red Light Therapy Has Long Term Benefits

A 2021 systematic review [3] and meta-analysis reviewed multiple studies on red light therapy and hair regrowth and concluded LLLT is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss when used for several months.

This shows red light therapy has been studied by the scientific community and results show laser devices are an effective treatment for hair loss conditions.

Who is Suitable for Red Light Therapy?

As red light therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment it’s suitable for almost everyone. As this is a treatment not a medication it’s also a drug-free solution for hair loss. So who is red light therapy suitable for?

Red light therapy will be most suitable for patients with hereditary hair loss conditions such as male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss. For those with early-to-mid stage hair loss (around stage 3 on the Hamilton-Norwood Scale) red light therapy will be incredibly effective at preventing hair loss and stimulating growth.

Red light therapy will also be suitable for people who have previously had a DHI or FUE hair transplant. Red light therapy can enhance healing and improve graft survival rates after hair transplantation.

Who Won’t Benefit From a Red Light Therapy Device?

Individuals with advanced hair loss (Late-Stage Baldness) will not benefit from red light therapy. For these patients the only option to combat hair loss is a 2 stage hair transplant.

Secondly people with scarring alopecia will not see any benefits from light therapy for hair loss. This form of hair loss involves permanent damage to hair follicles due to scarring and is generally resistant to LLLT.Also note that patients expecting immediate results may be disappointed in the first few months of red light therapy. LLLT requires consistent use for several months and those looking for a quick fix will need to wait 3-6 months to see an improvement.

Conclusion: Does Red Light Therapy Work for Hair Loss?

The evidence shows red light therapy can be an effective treatment for hair loss especially for androgenetic alopecia. Clinical studies have shown increase in hair density, thickness and overall scalp health with consistent use.

However results may vary based on individual factors including genetics, degree of hair loss and adherence to treatment protocol. Red light therapy is not a magic pill, but when used correctly and consistently it can be a valuable addition to your hair regrowth regimen.

References

• Jiminez, J. et al. “Efficacy and safety of a low-level laser device in the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss: a multicenter, randomized, sham device-controlled, double-blind study”. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 15(2) (2014) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24474647/
• Areej, A. et al. “The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis”. Journal of American Academy of Dermatology. 77(1) (2017) https://www.jaad.org/article/s0190-9622(17)30306-7/
• Lueangarun, S. et al. “A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of United States Food and Drug Administration-Approved, Home-use, Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy Devices for Pattern Hair Loss: Device Design and Technology”. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 14(11) (2021) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8675345/