Does LED light therapy work for hair growth?

Hair loss and thinning hair are common problems that affect both men and women. While some degree of hair shedding is normal, excessive hair loss can affect self-confidence and emotional wellbeing. If you’ve noticed your hair thinning or bald patches developing, you may be eager to try anything to restore your hair. The good news is that LED light therapy is one of the newest treatments for stimulating hair growth. But does it really work? Let’s take a closer look at how LED light therapy works and why it’s so beneficial for hair growth.

LED light therapy for hair growth

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

The Science of Hair Loss

Before diving into LED light therapy, let’s review what causes hair loss in the first place. This will help us understand how light energy can counteract the mechanisms of hair fall and thinning.

Hair grows from follicles underneath the scalp surface. Each follicle repeatedly cycles through growth (anagen), transitional (catagen), and resting (telogen) phases.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the hair cycle:

Anagen – Active growth phase when follicles produce new hair shafts. This lasts 2-7 years.
Catagen – Transitional phase when follicles shrink and detach from shafts. Lasts 2-3 weeks.
Telogen – Resting phase when old shafts shed as new ones emerge. Lasts 2-4 months.

Normally, about 80-90% of hair follicles are in the anagen phase while just 10-20% are in telogen. But excess shedding happens when a higher than normal percentage of follicles prematurely enter telogen.

What triggers this shift? The main drivers of premature hair loss include:

Androgenetic alopecia – Pattern baldness caused by genetics and androgens like testosterone. This gradually shrinks follicles, shortening growth phases.
Stress – Prolonged or severe stress raises cortisol levels, prematurely interrupting growth cycles.
Poor nutrition – Deficiencies in iron, zinc, protein, vitamin D, and other nutrients impair follicle function.
Illness – Thyroid disorders, anemia, autoimmune disease can trigger excessive shedding.
Medications – Drugs like blood thinners, antidepressants, cholesterol meds may thin hair as a side effect.
Aging – As we get older, growth cycles naturally shorten and more follicles remain dormant.
Hormonal changes – Shifts during/after pregnancy, menopause, or andropause can disrupt growth.

Now that we understand why people lose hair, let’s look at how LED light therapy aims to help regrow hair.

WHAT IS LED Light Therapy?

LED stands for light emitting diode. LED light therapy involves using panels or hand-held devices that emit non-ultraviolet wavelengths of light. These lights deliver clinical grade LED light directly to the scalp at specific wavelengths and intensities that are claimed to stimulate cellular activity and increase blood flow. This treatment is sometimes called low level light therapy (LLLT), cold laser therapy, red light therapy, or photobiomodulation.

Unlike lasers which use focused, intense beams, LED therapy usespanels or bands with multiple LED diodes that deliver a wider, more uniform pattern of therapeutic light. LED diodes come in different colors – most commonly used for hair growth are red and near-infrared lights.

Who is a Good Candidate for LED light therapy to promote hair growth?

LED light therapy can be effective for both men and women experiencing:

Androgenic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness)
Alopecia areata (autoimmune hair loss disease)
Telogen effluvium (temporary hair shedding)
Hair loss from malnutrition or stress
Slow hair growth
Thin, weak hair

It can be used alone or combined with other treatments like minoxidil, hair transplants, PRP, microneedling, nutritional supplements, etc. LED therapy is not as beneficial for complete baldness or long-term hair loss conditions. It works best for boosting hair density early on while follicles can still be revived.

How LED Light Therapy for hair growth works?

LED therapy doesn’t just help regrow lost hair. It may also help keep existing hair healthy and prevent future thinning. But how does it works? There are several ways that LED light therapy is thought to stimulate hair growth:

Blood Circulation

Blood flow is crucial for hair follicle health. The follicles rely on circulating blood to receive oxygen and nutrients.

Red and near-infrared LED light penetrates the skin and interacts with cells. This stimulates increased blood flow to the treatment area. Improving blood circulation enables better delivery of nutrients to hair follicles.

Assists Cell Metabolism

LED light also enhances cellular metabolism. The light interacts with cytochrome c oxidase, a photoacceptor present in all cell mitochondria.

This extra energy boost revs up the metabolism within hair follicle cells. Their increased productivity supports the hair growth cycle.

Reduces Inflammation

Chronic inflammation can interrupt the hair growth cycle and cause shedding. LED light therapy helps decrease inflammation. This reduces damage to follicles and creates an environment conducive to growth.

Provides Gentle Photobiomodulation

LED light delivers photons into the skin and hair follicles. This photobiomodulation gently stimulates cellular activity. Hair follicles may function better and spend more time in the growing phase.

In summary, LED light improves blood flow, cellular metabolism, and general scalp health around the follicles. This comprehensive support equips follicles for optimal hair production.

How LED Light Therapy for hair growth works?

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

Which LED light therapy wavelength is best for hair growth?

Now that you know how red light encourages new hair, the next question is: what wavelength works best? Red light therapy devices use LEDs (light emitting diodes) to deliver beneficial wavelengths of light. But not all red LED devices are equally effective. The key is choosing a wavelength that specifically targets the scalp and hair follicles.Research shows wavelengths from 600-950 nm are optimal for boosting hair growth.

Here are the top LED wavelengths for fighting hair loss:

415 nm blue light: Blue light kills acne bacteria to combat hair loss from folliculitis inflammation. It also stimulates hair proteins for thicker, stronger strands.
650-670 nm red light: This deep red light penetrates the scalp to stimulate the hair follicle cells. It extends the active growth phase and reactivates dormant follicles.
685 nm red light: This red wavelength strengthens hair shafts and prevents thinning or breakage. It also reduces DHT hormone levels that cause follicle miniaturization.
780-830 nm near-infrared light: This spectral range increases blood flow and ATP energy production around the follicles to energize hair regrowth.

For maximum results, look for FDA-cleared LED devices emitting a combination of red, near-infrared, and blue light. Consistent use can make a world of difference.

research on LED Light Therapy for Hair Growth

There have been numerous studies investigating LED light for growing hair. Here is some of the research:

– A 2014 study showed that red light therapy can stimulate hair growth in both men and women by stimulating epidermal stem cells in the bulges of hair follicles and moving the hair follicles into the anagen phase.[1]

– A study from the same year, a double-blind randomized controlled trial, found that using a 655nm home red light therapy device improved hair count in women with androgenic alopecia.[2]

– In a randomized double-blind trial in 2018, the results showed that hair thickness, hair number, hair coverage and IGA on the side treated with red light were significantly improved compared to the control group. Finally, it was concluded that red light therapy is an effective, safe and A well-tolerated treatment for male pattern baldness.[3]

– A 2019 study found that 655 nm red light therapy can promote hair growth and reverse the miniaturization process in men with androgenic alopecia (AGA) by enhancing dermal papilla (DP) cell function.[4]

A 2021 study also found that 650 nm red light promoted the proliferation of human hair follicles and significantly delays the transition of the hair cycle from anagen to catagen in vitro.[5]

While individual results vary, the accumulating research makes a strong case for red light therapy as an effective option for increasing hair density.

research on LED Light Therapy for Hair Growth

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

The Pros and Cons of LED Light Therapy for Hair Growth

LED light therapy has some excellent benefits, but also limitations to consider. Let’s outline some of the key pros and cons:

Pros:

– Non-invasive and drug-free
– Safe for men and women when following product guidelines
– Easier to comply with than medications or topicals
– Effective at growing hair and slowing hair loss
– Can boost volume and thickness of miniaturized hair
– Works on all hair and scalp types
– Affordable over-the-counter option
– Can be added to existing treatments for better results
– May improve hair health and strength
– Easy to administer light therapy at home

Cons:

– Results vary from person to person
– Changes happen gradually over months
– Daily use is required for best results
– Difficult to access scalp with thick or long hair
– Not a cure and requires ongoing use
– Need to avoid eyes during light exposure

While LED devices won’t work miracles, they can improve scalp health, stimulate follicles, decrease shedding, and help you achieve thicker, stronger hair when used consistently. It’s an option backed by research that’s worth exploring.

How to Use LED Light Therapy for Your Hair growth?

If you want to give LED light therapy a try, here are some tips on how to use it for optimal results:

Look for an FDA-cleared LED device that emits light in the red 600 to 660 nm range and near infrared 800 to 900 nm range.
Consistency is important, so try to use it as prescribed each day.
Start by shampooing and drying your hair, then simply place the device on your head as directed. You can multi-task while the light therapy does its work. Move it around occasionally to cover all areas.
Use the LED device by itself first to gauge its efficacy. Then you can add in supplements or medications if needed for an extra boost.
Be patient! It takes on average 16 to 24 weeks of consistent use to notice results. Give it at least 6 months before assessing whether you are responding to LED treatment.

Recommended led light therapy Devices

When you decide to try LED light therapy for encouraging hair growth, it’s important to choose an effective device. RedDot LED red light therapy device is a top recommended option with the features you want in an at-home system. Here are the reasons why people choose Reddot Led:

The right wavelengths: RedDot LED emits red 660nm and near-infrared 850nm light. Research indicates these wavelengths work synergistically to stimulate hair follicles.
Powerful irradiance: RedDot delivers an impressively powerful irradiance of up to 140mW/cm2. Therapeutic results require sufficient power density.
FDA-Cleared: The device has been approved by the FDA, ensuring safety and quality
Flexible treatment times: Customizable timers let you tailor sessions anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes based on your needs and tolerance.
Trusted Brand: With years of experience and testimonials from satisfied patients, RedDot has a proven track record.

If you’re curious whether LED therapy could work for you, quality devices like RedDot LED make it simple to try it in the comfort of home. As technology advances and research expands, LED therapy will likely become a go-to solution for both preventing hair loss and restoring your hair’s thickness and fullness.