Can Red Light Therapy Help With Hair Growth?

What Is Red Light Therapy For Hair Loss?

Red light therapy treatment, or low-level light therapy, has recently been gaining attention as a natural, effective and safe way to stimulate hair growth. It works like this: when the visible red light laser is applied to the scalp (at the ideal duration, intensity and wavelength), the body can harness the light and turn it into cellular energy. This stimulates the body's natural healing process — and potentially promotes hair regrowth.

"Two separate studies have shown that red light laser therapy works for male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness," said hair expert and cosmetologist Ganima Abdullah.

In the first study, the participants were treated every other day for four months, which resulted in 60 treatments total. There was a 35% increase in hair growth for this group. The second study lasted for 14 weeks, and the therapy was conducted daily and showed a marked increase in hair density.

What Does Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss Look Like?
For light therapy to be effective, therapeutic wavelengths need to come from LED sources that deliver maximum power. Though you can get laser devices at home to treat hair loss, you can maximize results by going to a professional for treatment.

Treatment caps claim to encourage new hair growth by delivering the light wavelengths that stimulate the mitochondria (the energy center in every cell) and promote blood flow across the scalp. In addition, red light therapy can influence the creation of new capillaries, bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to cells.

In the same way that natural sunlight can encourage plants to thrive, red wavelengths can reduce oxidative stress in the body, helping the body to regrow hair. In addition, red light treatment can effectively and efficiently shift energy around the body, potentially speeding up the healing process.

A professional can create a treatment plan based on the state of your hair loss and hair goals. They'll help determine the accurate wavelength level, length and frequency of your treatments.

Tried-And-True Tips for Addressing Thinning Hair

Red light therapy for hair growth is a modern trend that's making waves by positively impacting the hair and body. But it can be expensive, and results aren't guaranteed. Here are some other ways you can easily encourage hair growth:

Reduce stress. Learning to recover from stressful situations can help the body relax and allow the hair cycle to maintain its usual flow. Whether you regulate the body with mindfulness techniques or make a significant life change to reduce stress levels, your hair will thank you for it.

Maintain a healthy diet. Maintaining your hair's overall wellness means reflecting on your overall lifestyle. A balanced diet packed with vitamins and minerals will keep the body functioning at a high level, so hair grows without complication.

Does Red Light Therapy For Hair Loss Actually Work?

A 2017 trial considered how effective low-level laser therapy was on women living with hair loss. Researchers found that women receiving red light therapy at 650mn experienced a 51% increase in their hair count.

Studies suggest that red light therapy may positively impacts hair follicles, but the results are inconsistent overall. Red light therapy works for some people but not others. At the moment, it's unclear why this discrepancy exists, and more research is still needed to determine who is a good candidate for red light therapy.