I’m Losing My Hair. Does Red Light Therapy Help?

Whether you wear a ball cap or style your hair differently, let’s be real: Thinning hair can be difficult to hide. And while you can choose to shamelessly embrace your new look, shedding like a cat can feel vulnerable—and a bit embarrassing.

If you’re looking for solutions, chances are you’ve seen glowing red light therapy helmets marketed to regrow hair. The before-and-after photos look impressive, and the couples pictured wearing these devices while watching TV make it seem like a normal weeknight activity.

But before you dish out hundreds or even thousands of dollars, be warned: Red light therapy for hair loss only helps some people restore lost strands.

“We’ve done independent research and seen improvement in most patients who use these devices. But, they’re not magic and they’re not a cure,” says dermatologist Ronda Farah M.D.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a type of treatment using low-wavelength red light. Also called low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and photobiomodulation, red light therapy affects the mitochondria in cells. It boosts levels of reactive oxygen species (molecules that can cause damage) and increases the production of ATP (fuel for cells). This causes changes in gene expression that help trigger hair growth (1).

“Low-level laser therapy is stimulative in the same sense that light would impact a plant,” explains William Gaunitz, a certified trichologist. “It allows for the cells to metabolize energy more efficiently.” In turn, more energy helps the hair follicle grow more hair.

Some people prefer red light therapy over taking pills, which can cause side effects like erectile dysfunction in men (2), or applying topical medications, which can be messy.

Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss

Studies suggest that red light therapy may work for those with either male- or female-pattern hair loss, which medical experts call androgenetic alopecia. The genetic disorder occurs when hair follicles respond excessively to androgens. It’s considered the most common cause of hair loss among men and women (3).

Between 30 and 50 percent of men will experience this type of hair loss by age 50—for many, this manifests as a receding hairline (4). Women often begin experiencing female-pattern hair loss in their 40s (often during perimenopause) and their hair will continue to thin as they age if they don’t seek treatment (5, 6).

The authors of a 2024 systematic review published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine found that several studies showed a significant increase in hair density after red light therapy treatment compared to sham treatment for male- and female-pattern hair loss (7).

Providers report positive effects in the clinic. “Specifically in androgenetic alopecia, most patients—especially if they use this consistently for six months—will generally see improvement,” Farah says.

Read the full article on Hone Health.

Originally published June 18, 2024.