Red light therapy benefits for hair: Is it an effective solution for hair growth?

Hair loss can be a major source of insecurity for those who experience it, regardless of gender. According to a 2022 study, at least 40% of men and 50% of women experience some degree of chronic and progressive hair loss by the age of 50. It can happen due to stress, hormones, and aging, although genetics alone can account for up to 80% of hair loss, especially in men.

In recent years, red light therapy (or RLT) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive treatment for hair growth. Many prominent biohackers and influencers, including Bryan Johnson, have managed to reverse hair loss to an extent by including RLT in their regimen.

Red light therapy benefits for hair stem from the use of red or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity in the scalp and improve blood flow to the hair follicles to revive them. While early studies find the treatment promising, its therapeutic efficacy can vary greatly depending on how RLT is administered.

In this article, we’ll explain:

• Key benefits of red light therapy on the scalp — along with efficacy variables

• RLT’s potential risks

• Cost estimates

• Precautionary tips

Red light therapy for hair: An overview

The idea behind RLT for hair is to expose your scalp to red or near-infrared light at specific wavelengths that reach the cells in your epidermal layers. The underlying technology is called photobiomodulation, which entails the use of light to induce cell metabolism and proliferation, triggering hair growth and thickness in the process.

RLT can be administered from a variety of specialized devices. At professional clinics, you typically find chambers, beds, or helmets that emit light to focused areas. You can also buy handy at-home devices, such as caps, bands, wands, and combs, many of which are also FDA-approved.

This treatment is non-invasive, painless, and recognized as safe, making it a convenient choice for treating hair loss — particularly androgenetic alopecia or genetic hair loss in both males and females.

Tip: If you’re curious about your susceptibility to genetic hair loss, consider taking Nucleus all-in-one DNA health test so you can start effective treatments and therapies early. Nucleus analyzes ~100% of your DNA to help you discover any genetic variants you carry that can lead to diseases, such as cancers, heart conditions, and neurological disorders.

You can find hair loss-related genetic variants in your raw data, but the platform also offers ready-made reports covering 170+ diseases and traits, including male-pattern baldness. Order your kit today.

What are the benefits of red light therapy for hair?

Multiple studies indicate that red light therapy may help regrow hair in individuals. Let’s explore some of its key benefits from a more granular perspective:

1. Improved hair count, density, thickness, and coverage

2. Prolonged hair growth phase

3. Reduced scalp inflammation

4. Safe, non-invasive alternative to hair transplants

5. Alleviates many genetic hair loss disorders

1. Improved hair count, density, thickness, and coverage

RLT may enhance both the quantity and quality of hair. From a scientific perspective, there’s evidence that RLT can enhance hair production by:

• Boosting adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells’ energy carrier, which may give cells more fuel to grow and repair

• Modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) to protect hair follicle cells from damage

• Activating transcription factors NF-κB and HIF-1 to promote cell growth and migration

2. Prolonged hair growth phase

Hair grows and matures in four stages, namely:

| Hair growth phase | Description                                           |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Anagen            | Active growth                                         |
| Catagen           | Hair growth slows, and hair follicles start to shrink |
| Telogen           | Hair follicles stop growing                           |
| Exogen            | Hair sheds from the scalp

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that RLT prolongs the anagen phase, which helps your hair follicles constantly push out new hair and delay the shedding phase.

3. Reduced scalp inflammation

People who suffer from constant scalp irritation and inflammation tend to face more aggressive hair loss and bald patches. RLT’s anti-inflammatory properties can improve your immune system and leave you with a conducive environment for hair growth. 

4. Safe, non-invasive alternative to hair transplants

RLT could be a safer alternative to surgical hair transplants that carry risks like infection and scarring. It may also help accelerate healing and graft survival in patients who undergo the surgery. Some evidence suggests that combining red light therapy with minoxidil and finasteride medications could produce synergistic effects. 

Source: Beyzanur K.

5. Alleviates many genetic hair loss disorders

RLT isn’t only effective for male- or female-pattern baldness — it can also be helpful in mitigating the symptoms of other genetic hair loss disorders, such as:

• Alopecia areata or patchy hair loss

• Telogen effluvium or temporary hair shedding

RLT benefits for hair: Efficacy variables

While RLT is wildly accepted as a hair loss treatment, studies are yet to answer some concrete questions about the efficacy of the treatment, such as:

• Is it effective for all types of hair loss?

• Do individual factors like age and hair loss stage influence the outcomes?

• How long should you continue the therapy to see results?

In general, there are three variables widely known to impact the efficacy of an RLT treatment:

1. Wavelength strength: Different wavelengths of red light dictate if the light would penetrate shallowly or deeply into your scalp, each linked to specific benefits like wound healing or deep-tissue repair.

2. Frequency and consistency of use: RLT is believed to give noticeable results if you use it 2–3 times a week for several months.

3. Device quality: Medical-grade RLT devices available at clinics may have better efficacy than low-power at-home devices.

Case study: Bryan Johnson’s success with red light therapy

Tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson is genetically predisposed to baldness. He started losing his hair in his late twenties but only started treating it in his forties.

With the help of RLT and a persistent hair routine, he was able to reverse his hair loss and now has abundant and youthful-looking hair in his late forties.

Source: Bryan Johnson via YouTube

Johnson’s daily routine includes wearing a red light cap for six minutes. He takes minoxidil, applies topicals, massages his scalp, and ensures proper nutrient intake through his diet, so it’s a combination of methods that contributed to his fantastic results. He has also experimented with various unconventional and expensive treatments, such as exosome injections, to induce hair growth. Here’s what Johnson feels about RLT: 

“It’s not the most powerful treatment we do, but still, it’s part of the stack, and so all these little things add up.”

Bonus read: Discover more biohacking tips for a longer, healthier, and happier life:

• Biohacking diet

• Biohacking for women

• Sleep tracking

• Biohacking books

Potential downsides of red light therapy [And precautions]

In studies, red light therapy appears to be well-tolerated and safe in short-term use, though its long-term effects are yet to be discovered. Many participants reported no adverse effects of using RLT, but a few users experienced mild side effects, such as:

• Irritation

• Mild pain

• Scalp tenderness

• Burning and tingling

• Itching

• Dryness

• Eczema

People may also react negatively to RLT due to unique physiological traits, conditions, or the medications they’re on. 

For example, people with sensitive skin or eyes may find RLT too harsh. Similarly, individuals with darker skin tend to experience hyperpigmentation — which can be prevented by covering the exposed skin and keeping the light beams limited to target areas. 

Here are some precautions you should take to prevent adverse reactions:

1. Consult a dermatologist to get recommendations for the safest devices or methods, especially if you’re pregnant or are photo-sensitive. 

2. If you prefer at-home treatment, buy an FDA-cleared device for added safety.

3. Wear protective gear like goggles and avoid looking directly at the beams.

4. Wrap up the session within 10–20 minutes to avoid overexposure.

Source: Kampus Production

How much does red light therapy cost?

RLT can be expensive, especially since it requires multiple treatments over months to produce results. At a clinic, you might pay more than $50 per session. At-home devices can be more affordable in the long run as their prices range from around $100 to over $2,000. Check out the prices of some popular RLT devices below:

| Device                                  | Cost   |
| --------------------------------------- | ------ |
| Hairmax Ultima Classic LaserComb        | $199   |
| iRESTORE Essential                      | $499   |
| Hairmax LaserBand 82 ComfortFlex        | $799   |
| CurrentBody Skin LED Hair Growth Helmet | $859   |
| KeraFlex Laser Cap                      | $1,299 |
| Capillus PRO Cap                        | $1,444

Final thoughts on RLT: When should you try it?

Despite the potential benefits of red light therapy on hair, it’s best you consult a certified dermatologist before considering any long-term treatment. That way, you can reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions and identify suitable complementary treatments to make the most of your efforts.

It’s also best to start as early as possible — before you notice hair loss. One way to identify the best time to consider any skin or hair treatment is to try whole-genome DNA testing.

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is the more advanced form of genetic testing that analyzes almost your entire DNA to uncover common and rare genetic variants that dictate your disease risks, skin and hair traits, and intelligence levels, among other things.

One of the most affordable and straightforward ways to get tested is with Nucleus Premium, a clinical-grade WGS test kit. Nucleus combines your ancestry and genetic data with non-genetic factors like age and cholesterol levels to reveal your genetic predispositions and traits. The idea is to help you make smart and timely choices to maintain your health and appearance.

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Nucleus: All-in-one DNA insights for a healthier tomorrow

Nucleus WGS tests offer extensive DNA analyses with 99.9% accuracy. What makes the platform stand out as a health-focused DNA testing platform is its ability to uncover even rare genetic variants. It gives you the opportunity to identify almost all baldness-related or other variants that can impact your or your family’s long-term health and longevity.

With Nucleus, you can find out how your genetic and non-genetic factors influence your:

1. Disease risks: Learn about your susceptibility to various physical and mental health conditions, including rare cancers, heart disease, ADHD, and depression.

2. Personal traits: Understand your predisposition to traits like male-pattern baldness, severe acne, and longevity.

3. Hereditary carriers: Find out if there are some genetic variants you may pass down to your kids.

Nucleus reports are physician-approved, easy to understand, and actionable, but you can also take them to your physician if you need medical-grade advice. Nucleus can also connect you with a board-certified genetic counselor through its partners at SteadyMD.

Nucleus is backed by HIPAA, CAP, and CLIA certifications, so your privacy is always a priority. Your samples are processed in secure U.S. labs and on U.S. machines.

Order your Nucleus WGS kit

Nucleus is one of the most affordable whole-genome platforms in the U.S. You can order your kit for $399 (HSA and FSA eligible). With this one-time payment, you’ll receive all available trait and disease reports. The platform can also update your results in light of new scientific discoveries or changes in your disease risks as your lifestyle and environment evolve.

Here’s how you can order your Nucleus Premium kit:

1. Sign up for Nucleus Premium

2. Provide your personal information

3. Place the order

Once you mail back your samples (cheek swabs), you’ll be able to see your results online within six to eight weeks.

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Featured image source: Marvin Corea