Every day, most people lose about 50 to 100 hairs from their scalp. While the majority of individuals grow those hairs back, some people don’t. When hair doesn't grow back as it should, light therapy may be an option to consider. Also referred to as red light therapy and cold laser therapy, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) irradiates photons into scalp tissues. These photons are absorbed by weak cells to encourage hair growth.
Hair loss can significantly lower self-esteem and confidence. If you’re experiencing challenging hair loss, it’s important to find a solution that really works. Here are some of the leading causes of different types of hair loss:
Treatments to stop hair loss and possibly reverse it include:
Red light therapy is a treatment that may help skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of your body heal. It uses low levels of red light to target your skin and cells. It is thought to work by increasing the production of mitochondria, your cells' energy sources. This may improve cell function and repair.
Red light therapy is also sometimes called low-level laser therapy, low-power laser therapy, low-power laser, or photobiomodulation.
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In red light therapy, you expose your skin to a lamp, device, or laser with a red light. It uses an LED (light-emitting diode) that emits the correct spectrum of light. Red LED light travels deeper into the skin than blue LED light, which is sometimes used to treat skin surface conditions such as acne. When the light enters your skin, your mitochondria soak it up and make more energy, which helps cells repair themselves.
Red light therapy uses very low levels of heat and doesn’t hurt or burn the skin. Unlike the light used in tanning booths, it doesn’t expose your skin to damaging UV rays.
The theory of laser treatment for hair loss is that the low-dose laser treatments invigorate circulation and stimulation that encourages hair follicles to grow hair. In 1967, a pioneer research study was first conducted to assess the “photobiostimulation” or low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT) on mice by using the ruby laser. Results indicated increased hair growth on the shaved-off areas of animals’ backs. The mechanism of LLLT in hair regrowth enhances the stimulation of mitochondria located in hair bulge stem cells, with cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) in the membrane of the mitochondria as the target chromophore of red light.
There are many different types of red light therapy devices, some of which can be used at home. But home devices are usually less powerful than those used in clinics and may be less effective or take longer to work. Red light therapy devices include:
Red light therapy mask: This fits over your entire face and has red LED lights on the inside, pointed toward your skin. It is designed to be worn for a short length of time several times a week. It's used as a treatment for acne, wrinkles, or other facial skin concerns.
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Red light therapy bed: This looks like a tanning bed but has red LED lights instead of UV lights. It is big enough for you to lie down inside, and your whole body is exposed to red light.
Red light therapy panel: This is a panel of red LED lights that you can mount on a wall or place on a table, either at a clinic or home. Panels range in size from small to large. Small panels are used for targeted areas such as your face, and large panels can target larger areas of your body.
Red light therapy wand: These are handheld devices that have red LED lights at one end. You use them by moving the wand over your skin in the areas that you want to treat. They are used to treat very small areas, such as the back of the hands, one knee, or a particular spot on the face.
LLLT Devices: LLLT is a clinically tested and FDA-cleared therapy for treating hair loss. It uses specific wavelengths of light, typically in the range of 630-670 nanometers (nm), to stimulate cellular activity in the scalp. LED (Light Emitting Diode) caps are often marketed alongside LLLT devices, but their mechanisms and efficacy differ significantly.
In 2007, the first cleared LLLT device was introduced for male patients with PHL by the FDA. Since then, the numerous forms of convenient LLLT technology and devices have been modified by different manufacturers in the current US market, though some of those LLLT products with very few published articles to support their efficacy have been approved by the FDA.
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As of January 2020, 32 home-use LLLT devices were marketed in the US. Overall, there were four major designs of the devices, including sport cap (20 devices), headband (2 devices), comb (4 devices), and helmet (6 devices) according to the manufacturers. Each device had a number of LLLT sources. Twenty-eight of the devices contained only LDs, with the number ranging from seven LDs (HairMax Lasercomb® 7, Lexington International LLC., Boca Raton, FL, USA) to 304 LDs (LaserCap HD+, LaserCap Company, Highland Heights, OH, USA). The median number of LDs used in these devices was 148 (range 7-304), with power less than 5mW. The treatment regimens averaged 30 minutes (ranging from 90 seconds to 36 minutes), depending on shapes and total power outputs. Most devices were advised to be used about 3 to 4 times per week.
Examples of FDA-approved LLLT devices include:
Yes, low level light therapy can help promote hair growth in both men and women. Studies have shown promising results for red light therapy in promoting hair regrowth. Research suggests that red light therapy may increase blood flow to the scalp, which can nourish hair follicles and stimulate them to enter the growth anagen phase. Additionally, it might reduce inflammation and improve hair follicle function.
A review of multiple studies found red light therapy to be particularly effective for androgenic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss in both men (male pattern baldness) and women (female pattern hair loss).
A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of FDA-approved LLLT devices for PHL treatment. Only the studies on AGA or PHL in humans and the use of FDA-approved devices, written in English, were included. The standardized mean difference (SMDs) of hair density between the LLLT and the sham groups were the primary outcome.
The meta-analysis comprised seven double-blinded, randomized, controlled trials. The overall quantitative analysis yielded a significant increase in hair density in those treated by LLLT versus sham groups (SMD: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.993-1.639). The subgroup analysis demonstrated the increased hair growth in male and female subjects with both comb- and helmet-type devices. There were significant LLLT sources in the LDs alone (SMD: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.16-1.88) and the LDs combination (SMD: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.55-1.16) (p=0.043).
With a process called selective photothermolysis, light can be tailored to use specific wavelengths to target tissue and stimulate an effect within tissue. Studies have shown that red light penetrates the skin at shallow depths and stimulates follicle growth. There's evidence that the light causes vasodilation, a widening of blood vessels. The dilation of blood vessels enables more blood and nutrients to reach the hair follicles. Used over multiple months consistently, red light has been shown to regrow thinning hair.
Isolated human scalp HFs were cultured in vitro and divided into three groups (control, 5 minutes, 10 minutes) and the elongation of hair shaft was measured every other day. Compared to the control group, both 5 minutes and 10 minutes treatment with 650 nm red light increased the mean length of hair shaft growth. Moreover, HFs treated for 5 minutes showed significantly increased length compared to the control group (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the length of HFs treated for 10 minutes and the control group (p>0.05).
Because the results of laser therapy are inconsistent, the conclusion of the medical community seems to be that it appears to work for some people, but not for others.
There are a number of reasons that some people are not as positive about the procedure, such as:
Dermatologists generally view red light therapy as a promising treatment for hair loss. Some dermatologists recommend red light therapy as a complementary hair loss treatment, particularly for those experiencing mild to moderate hair loss. It’s generally considered safe and well-tolerated.
Red light therapy appears to be mostly safe when used correctly, especially in the short term. Many forms of red light therapy are more effective when done at a doctor’s office rather than at home. That's because doctors can use stronger lights. Even at a doctor’s office, however, there are some risks. One early-stage clinical trial found that at high levels, red LED lights such as those used in red light therapy can cause blistering and redness on the skin. Red light therapy may also cause eye damage in some cases, so it is best to wear protective goggles when using a red light therapy device.
Red light therapy is generally considered safe, but it can have some side effects. These side effects are usually mild and temporary and often resolve on their own shortly after treatment. Here are the potential side effects:
People who take medications that increase their skin or eye sensitivity should not use red light therapy. People who have a history of skin cancer or eye disease should speak with their doctor before using red light therapy.
There is no evidence that red light therapy causes cancer. Red light therapy does not use ultraviolet rays, a form of radiation found in tanning booths and sunlight that can lead to skin cancer.
There is not a lot of research on the effects of red light therapy on pregnant people, but limited research suggests that it is safe. One study examined 380 pregnant women who had used laser light treatments during pregnancy and found that it was safe for both the parent and fetus.
Unfortunately, red light therapy is not proven to reverse gray hair. Gray hair occurs due to a decrease in melanin production in the hair follicles.
While red light therapy is a popular treatment for hair loss, there are other alternatives available. If you’re looking for other alternative solutions to prevent your hair loss, you’ll find below some of the most popular and effective:
As with any treatment, there are some positives and negatives that should be considered when determining if it’s right for you. Your doctor can help you make a good decision. If you lose hair suddenly, see your doctor.
If you want to see a doctor to do red light therapy, you will likely see a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating the skin. At a clinic or a spa, you may see an aesthetician - a licensed skin care professional.
It’s crucial to consult a dermatologist before starting any new hair loss treatment, including red light therapy.
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