Can Laser Hair Growth Devices Really Help Thinning Hair?
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Maybe you’ve noticed a few too many hairs in your comb, stray strands going down the shower drain, or a hairline that seems to keep inching back. Whenever you see the first unmistakable signs of thinning hair, it’s never a happy moment. But the good news is there’s hope to stop hair fallout and save your thinning strands. In the past, we’ve written about hair loss treatments that really work, and there are also surgical treatments that can restore your lost hairline. Now, there’s a new option for guys to consider: laser hair growth devices.
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Yes, there are laser devices to remove unwanted hair too, but there are also laser devices that can help bring it back. These futuristic at-home tools may sound too good to be true, but they can actually help stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss and thinning.
To get the scoop, we turned to Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist at the Shafer Clinic, a plastic surgery and cosmetic dermatology clinic in New York City. Keep scrolling to find the best laser hair growth devices for sale in 2021.
How do at-home laser hair growth devices work?
“At-home laser hair devices are usually shaped like a hat, helmet or handheld tool,” explains Dr. Engelman. “When the device is placed on the scalp and turned on, lasers emitted from the device stimulate circulation and collagen production, which facilitates hair growth and improves hair’s thickness. This is called low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Depending on the device, treatments can last anywhere from a couple minutes to more than an hour.”
How do they stimulate hair growth differently than topical products, such as shampoos and creams?
“Lasers and topical products work similarly to achieve hair growth — both stimulate circulation and collagen production to prompt the follicle to grow hair,” Dr. Engelman says. “However, the method is a little different. Lasers increase oxygen and nutrients in hair follicles at the cellular level, which ‘wakens’ dormant or weak follicles to facilitate more and stronger hair growth. Topical products like minoxidil work by starting a chemical reaction that triggers hair growth. Neither of these are permanent solutions; you need to keep up with both in order to continue seeing the benefits.”
Are most at-home hair growth devices safe?
“Yes, FDA-approved laser hair growth devices have been deemed safe for normal use,” Dr. Engelman says. “Of course, always be sure to follow directions for proper use.”
One study found that pattern hair loss, the most common type of alopecia, can be successfully treated with LLLT. Another study published in Lasers in Medical Science “found that the FDA-cleared LLLT devices are both safe and effective in patients” with certain types of male and female pattern hair loss.
What should you look for in an at-home laser hair growth device?
“Look for devices that have been approved for safe use, as well as those that are backed by clinical studies proving their efficacy,” Dr. Engelman says. “Laser hair growth devices are not all created equally, so look for one that suits your lifestyle and needs. For example, some devices cover your whole head like a hat, while others are handheld and designed to be moved over the scalp. The latter might be better suited for spot-treating areas of thinning hair, while a device that treats the whole head at once would be more effective for someone seeking to increase total hair growth.”
What should consumers know before trying at-home options?
“At-home laser hair treatments can be an effective and convenient tool, but be sure to do your research before buying and take special care if you have sensitive skin or preexisting skin concerns,” Dr. Engelman says.
What is the best way to use them?
“As directed! Some are designed for treatments lasting as little as 90 seconds at a time, while others might be worn for 90 minutes,” Dr. Engelman says. “Always do your research, and contact your dermatologist or doctor if you have questions or concerns.”
What common mistakes should be avoided?
“Keeping devices on for too long to ‘increase efficacy,’” Dr. Engelman says. “Time limits are put in place for a reason, and keeping a device on for longer than recommended will not multiply your hair growth, it will only put you at risk of damaging your skin and body.”
Are the results different for men and women?
“Results vary from person to person, but so far there do not seem to be any strong differences in results between men and women,” Dr. Engelman says.
Now that all your burning questions have been answered, shop the best laser hair growth devices.
1. HairMax Laser Hair Growth Band LaserBand 41
A go-to laser hair growth device for Dr. Engelman, HairMax delivers clinically proven results. “HairMax offers a variety of tools for every lifestyle and need, from handheld devices ideal for spot treatment to total-head coverage,” she says. The LaserBand 41 delivers 1,230 megawatts of therapeutic laser light therapy directly to the scalp to trigger hair follicles, which helps to give hair growth a boost and reverse thinning hair. When hair grows in, it’s denser and healthier, helping it look fuller. HairMax laser devices are cleared by the FDA and have seven clinical studies to back them up. After six months, at study found that the average user had 129 new hairs per square inch.
Buy: HairMax Laser Hair Growth Band LaserBand 41 $545.00
2. iRestore Laser Hair Growth System
For men and women suffering from alopecia, a receding hairline, balding or thinning hair, the iRestore Laser Hair Growth System may help you get your hair back. The FDA-cleared, ergonomically designed helmet emits 650 nanometers of red light straight to the scalp to reactivate hair follicles and trigger regrowth, delivering fuller and thicker hair in three to six months — or you can get a full refund.
Buy: iRestore Laser Hair Growth System $545.00 (orig. $895.00) 39% OFF
3. REVIAN RED Hair Growth System
Another favorite of Dr. Engelman, this FDA-cleared hair loss treatment is clinically proven to grow more hair. “Revian uses entirely LED light for full, uniform treatment, and it pairs with an app and Bluetooth connectivity so you can stay on top of your results,” Dr. Engelman says. The brand’s Modulated Light Therapy (MLT) taps proprietary wavelengths of LED light to activate natural reserves of nitric oxide, which increases local blood flow to the scalp, reduces inflammation and ups nutrients to the hair follicles, leading to new hair growth.
Buy: REVIAN RED Hair Growth System $995.00
4. CapillusPro Mobile Laser Therapy Cap for Hair Regrowth
This laser hair growth device makes it as easy as possible to boost hair growth: All you have to do is put on this baseball cap and the clinically proven and FDA-approved treatment will get to work with its low-level laser therapy in just six minutes a day. Its clever cap design means you can even use it on the go. Since it covers the entire head, you’ll get even results and it can be used in conjunction with other hair growth boosters, including topical hair loss foams and prescription medications.
Buy: CapillusPro Mobile Laser Therapy Cap for Hair Regrowth $2,199.00
5. Theradome PRO Laser Hair Growth Helmet LH80
Talk about helmet hair! The fact that this laser hair growth device is wireless makes it so much more convenient. Made in the USA, the FDA-cleared device helps to slow or stop hair loss, gives existing follicles a thickening boost and helps regrow hair overall. Invented by a NASA scientist, the Theradome utilizes cool laser phototherapy, which has high energy density, to activate hair follicles deep in the scalp.
Buy: Theradome PRO Laser Hair Growth Helmet LH80 $995.00
6. illumiflow 148 Laser Cap For Hair Regrowth
We tip our cap to this laser hair device that treats a range of hair loss conditions including hereditary hair loss, alopecia, balding, thinning hair and a receding hairline. illumiflow advanced laser therapy uses low-level light beams to prompt hair growth sans any side effects. It only takes three 15 to 30 minutes sessions three times a week to see results in four to six months.
Buy: illumiflow 148 Laser Cap For Hair Regrowth
7. iGrow Laser Hair Growth Helmet
A potent pair, this laser hair device uses a combination of both laser and LED lights to stimulate hair regeneration at the cellular level. Two peer-reviewed clinical studies found that iGrow boosted hair count by 35% in males and 37% in females in 16 weeks. The FDA-cleared device stops a range of hair loss types, such as male pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia and balding.
Buy: iGrow Laser Hair Growth Helmet $450.00 (orig. $695.00) 35% OFF
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