These 7 Hair Growth Devices Can Reverse Genetic Hair Loss

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We all love red light therapy for the face, especially since red light therapy devices are proven to calm inflammation, help with skin texture and acne, and encourage collagen production. But, it can also help with another problem that many of us deal with: hair loss. In fact, some of the best hair growth devices feature red light therapy and can help deliver quicker results than when you’re only using topical remedies like scalp serums and thickening shampoos. “The best approach to treat hair loss is a multimodal approach. I recommend certain supplements, medications, and light therapy devices,” says Dr. Karan Lal, a double-board certified dermatologist.

Hair shedding and loss can be stress-related, genetic, or caused by overly tight hairstyles. Whatever the reason behind your hair loss, there is no magic wand you can wave to instantly restore your tresses back to their full glory. However, a hair growth device that uses red light therapy can help you get closer to your goal a whole lot faster—as long as you’re consistent with it.

We combed the internet and interviewed seasoned dermatologists to pin down the best gadgets people swear by. Read on to discover the seven best hair growth devices on the market.

LED Hair Regrowth Device

This helmet uses red light therapy to target shrinking follicles, stopping hair growth and allowing it to grow back. “The CurrentBody device is powerful, hands-free, and has Bluetooth speakers, which is a really nice touch,” says Dr. Finney. For just ten minutes a day, this device’s clinical trials have shown a reversal of hair loss in just four months.

Red light wavelength: 640nm

Best used: Daily

CurrentBody rating: 4.5/5 stars

A CurrentBody reviewer says: “Easy to use and size fits perfectly. It’s so nice that the timer and Bluetooth connected automatically. It’s comfortable to wear and its weight is not heavy. The light feels warm and the material feel so durable!”

Hair Growth Laser Band 82 ComfortFlex

Think of this device as an oversized headband that works overtime to reduce and reverse hair loss. Whether you prefer to use it preventatively or to target specific areas, this uses red light therapy to assist in your hair growth goals. “The Hairmax device is great for people with really early stages of hair loss that may have very thick hair; the device has teeth that part the hair to allow the light to get to the scalp,” says Dr. Finney.

Red light wavelength: 655nm

Best used: Three times a week

Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Very good device! It works fast! You can see the results in a very short time. My hair started growing back and thickening very quick! It’s even helping me with the grey hairs–are turning back to my original color! I love this product! Its 100% worth the purchase!”

CapillusPro Hair Regrowth Laser Cap

Users of Capillus’ most powerful cap tend to see results and new growth within just three to six months of daily treatments. A session only lasts six minutes, but if you’re pressed for time and have a lot to cross off of your to-do list, the cap format makes it easy to wear as you complete other tasks around your house.

Red light wavelength: 650nm

Best used: Daily

CurrentBody rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Currentbody reviewer says: “My results are so incredible that my doctor now prescribes the cap for her other patients. My inflammation is gone. My hair loss has slowed dramatically. The biggest surprise? I’m getting NEW hair growth, which was supposed to be impossible. Plus…I am off all medication.”

PRO Laser Hair Growth Helmet LH80

While this device doesn’t claim to help regrow hair overnight, it does promise results quicker than others on the market. Using laser technology, this helmet improves hair density and volume and stimulates hair growth in as little as one month. Plus, while most devices recommend daily treatments, Theradome recommends 20-minute sessions twice weekly. “I also like the Theradome PRO LH80. It is easy to use and makes for a painless at-home treatment,” says Dr. Lal.

Red light wavelength: 680nm

Best used: Two times a week

Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This product saved my long, pretty hair. I’d lost so much hair from the stress of learning I had a brain tumor and then from general anesthesia from the necessary cranial surgery. Ultimately, I had bald patches on the sides of my hair and thinning around the incision and top of my head. For over a year nothing helped and my hair loss worsened. BUT! Within 3 months of using Theradome, I saw baby hairs return. After a year of use my hair is back to 80% with new hair coming in daily. I will never be without my Theradome!”

Essential Laser Hair Growth System

If you’re unsure about investing in a device to reduce hair loss, this tool makes it easy to have no regrets. Not only are the clinical results astonishing–100 percent of men studied saw significant results–but if you don’t love it, you can return it even six months later. Plus, with comfortable padding and hands-free technology, you can go about your day mid-treatment without worry. “I like the iRestore Essential Device. My mom uses it. It is very comfortable and easy to use. It has laser and light-emitting diodes. It is affordable, and the company is very responsive,” says Dr. Lal.

Red light wavelength: 655nm

Best used: Three times a

Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been wanting to try this machine since I’ve seen it reviewed on YouTube but the price and skepticism held me back. Thank goodness for the money back guarantee and holiday sale!! I have been using the system for only a month now but I do see some improvement. I didn’t experience much shedding as claimed which is good.”

Laser Therapy Cap for Hair Regrowth

Using the Vicmama Laser Therapy Cap is as simple as wearing a baseball cap. The cordless device can be used to mitigate female and male pattern baldness—just pop it on for 15–30 minutes every other day to see less thinning and more growth.

Red light wavelength: 650nm

Best used: Three times a week

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using the laser therapy cap for 6 weeks and have already noticed new hair growth! This is an amazing product and I can’t wait to see what results I get in several months from now!”

Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb

This comb from HairMax relies on nine medical-grade lasers to directly target the hair follicle and encourage hair growth, giving new life to thinning and damaged hair. While you do need to physically maneuver to make sure you reach every part of your scalp, doing it while you watch TV or listen to a podcast will help it feel less like a chore. Some even use it to supplement their laser caps to make sure any uncovered areas get treated too.

Red light wavelength: 680nm

Best used: Three times a week

HairMax rating: 4.4/5 stars

A HairMax reviewer says: “I’ve been using the Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb for about 6 weeks, and I am already seeing some baby hairs in the area I am most concerned about. I am encouraged! The 11 minutes pass quickly enough that I don’t wish I had bought the more expensive comb. The comb is light enough that using it for that long is not a strain.”

Meet the Experts

Dr. Robert Finney is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and hair loss expert based in New York City.

Dr. Karan Lal is double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Scotssdale, Arizona.

What are the leading causes of thinning hair and hair loss?

“By far and away, the leading cause of hair loss in both men and women is androgenetic alopecia. Almost all men and around 50 percent of women in their lifetime will suffer from genetic hair loss,” says Dr. Finney. While genetics are the main factors that lead to hair loss, stress can also be a factor, adds Dr. Lal. “Telogen effluvium is a post-stress form of hair loss,” says Dr. Lal.

Why are hair loss devices becoming so popular?

“The hair market has grown substantially in the past few years. For many people, their hair is an identifier. Hair loss is a very emotional condition in my clinic, with many of my patients having depression and anxiety related to their hair loss,” says Dr. Lal.

The pandemic also increased the need for more support for patients suffering from stress-induced hair loss. “There is a type of temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. In this condition, a lot of the hairs all over the scalp going into the resting phase all at once–this is seen clinically as an abrupt significant increase in shedding. COVID was a cause of this–so during the pandemic many people were noticeably concerned when they saw a lot of hair fall. This has likely driven a lot of focus on the cause and treatments of hair loss,” adds Dr. Finney.

How does light therapy combat or reverse hair loss?

“Low-level laser light therapy in the red light range triggers a reaction in the cells that help regenerate the hair to do several things: improve the blood supply a nutrients, improve the health of the cells that help regenerate the hair, help reduce the local effects of hormones on the hair follicle. All of this helps to regrow new hairs, as well as reverse the miniaturization of damaged hairs,” says Dr. Finney.

“There are many different types of light therapy for hair loss. There is red light, and there is blue light. Red light reduces inflammation and increases energy in our skin and hair cells. Blue light, on the other hand, is said to induce low-level hair growth through a different mechanism. In a recent study, blue light increased hair density and shaft diameter by 90% after ten weeks of use. Similar findings have been reported with red light helmets as well,” says Dr. Lal.

Are hair loss devices safe?

If the thought of putting a high-tech helmet on top of your head makes you nervous, you don’t need to worry. “It doesn’t get any safer. For one thing, it is just light, which is natural. It doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin. We have plenty of studies to support the use of red light to help with inflammation and signs of aging, so there is that added benefit compared to some of our topical options that can create inflammation. I will often recommend these devices in conjunction with a topical routine. Not only do we have studies to support synergy between the two, if you were to get any irritation from a topical, the red light could help ameliorate it!” says Dr. Finney.

However, it is important to know that there can be some mild side effects, depending on the tool you use. “Blue light devices can darken your hair or scalp because blue light does affect pigment-making cells, so just be mindful of that,” says Dr. Lal. Each device comes with a certain set of instructions, so it’s important to read the manual carefully and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.

How should you use hair loss devices in your routine?

If you already use hair loss serums or supplements, there’s no need to put them aside once you begin using a hair growth device. “For genetic hair loss, the combination approach always yields the best results. We have plenty of clinical trials that show this. It is important for patients with genetic hair loss to realize that there is no cure; it is a progressive condition. So, pick a treatment routine that you are okay with the side effects and one that is sustainable in the long run for you and your lifestyle. So I always lay out the different options, discuss their efficacies and drawbacks then come up with a plan specific to each patient. It is important to reinforce that with hair loss, results are slow. Take good photos before starting a treatment routine and set a reminder to check back in on it in 4-6 months. Results take time,” says Dr. Finney.

Why trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Tatjana Freund consulted skin and hair experts to learn about the benefits of using red light therapy devices to treat genetic and stress-induced hair loss, and she and Carol Lee combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.

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