Does light therapy work for alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss on the scalp and sometimes other parts of the body. It affects around 2% of people at some point in their lives. While not life-threatening, alopecia areata can cause significant psychological distress and impact a person’s quality of life. The good news is that for many people, alopecia areata is temporary with a chance of full recovery. One option that has shown promise is light therapy. But does light therapy really work for alopecia areata? Let’s take a closer look.

light therapy alopecia areata

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

Alopecia Areata Introduction

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes other areas of the body. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair falling out often in patches. While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to be triggered by genetic, environmental, and immune factors.

Some key facts about alopecia areata:

It can occur in people of all ages, but often first appears in children and young adults.
Around 2% of people will experience alopecia areata at some point in their lives.
Hair loss is usually localized at first but can spread to become more widespread.
While not physically painful, alopecia areata can cause significant psychological and emotional distress.
Spontaneous regrowth of hair occurs in around half of cases, but relapses are common.
There is no known cure, but various treatments aim to improve hair regrowth.

Light therapy has emerged as one of the most promising alopecia areata treatments to stimulate hair regrowth and stop further hair loss. But how does light therapy treat alopecia areata?

How light therapy works for alopecia areata?

First things first, what causes alopecia anyway? Hair loss happens when the growth cycles of the follicles on your head get disrupted. Normally, each follicle goes through three phases: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). In alopecia, a higher number of follicles get stuck in the resting phase, which is why you start losing more hair than you grow back. Light therapy aims to wake those lazy, sleeping follicles back up. But how does it do this exactly?

It comes down to light’s ability to create specific biological changes at the cellular level:

Increasing ATP

Red light is thought to stimulate the mitochondria in cells, helping them produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which provides energy. This boosts metabolism and circulation in the area being treated. More blood flowing to those shrunken follicles provides the nutrients they need to kickstart growth again.

Stimulates Circulation

The light expands blood vessels (vasodilation) and boosts blood flow to the scalp. Improved circulation delivers more oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors to hair follicles. Reviving your failing follicles.

Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation of the hair follicles is often a factor in diseases like alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss. Light therapy has anti-inflammatory effects that help calm the autoimmune response attacking hair follicles. This reduces immune-system interference so hair can grow.

So in summary, light therapy uses different properties of light to target the main underlying causes of alopecia areata – immune dysfunction, inflammation, impaired hair cycling – and create conditions that allow hair regrowth.

How light therapy works for alopecia areata?

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

Does LIGHT therapy Really Work for Alopecia Areata?

With an understanding of the mechanisms, what does the evidence say about light therapy’s real-world efficacy for alopecia areata? Numerous clinical studies have been conducted, primarily using low-level laser therapy (LLLT). The results are overwhelmingly positive:

A trial of 15 people with patchy hair loss reported that certain areas were treated with infrared radiation for 5 months, compared with others as a control. 46.7% of the treated area showed hair regrowth.[1]
Another study in an experimental cultured tissue model found that low-intensity 650 nm red light promoted proliferation of human hair follicles and concluded that 650 nm red light is the most effective and practical wavelength for stimulating hair growth through LLLT treatment.[2]

While more research is still needed, current evidence convincingly shows light therapy stimulates significant hair regrowth for the majority of alopecia areata patients.

Does LIGHT therapy Really Work for Alopecia Areata?

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?

When used correctly, light therapy is generally safe with minimal risks:

LEDs and lasers used within recommended guidelines have few side effects. Some people may experience mild scalp irritation or redness.
Prolonged or excessive laser light can burn the skin. Technicians should follow responsible dosing guidelines.
Eye damage can occur if lasers or LEDs are shined into the eyes. Wear protective goggles.

Of course, consult your dermatologist about your medical history and any drug interactions before starting light therapy for alopecia or other conditions. While relatively low risk, some precautions apply.

Advantages of Choosing RedDot LED Light Therapy Device

After extensive research, I highly recommend the Reddot RDPro Series light therapy device for alopecia treatment. Here’s why they are the top choice for proven hair recovery:

Customizable wavelength: Customize the wavelength according to your hair loss, and the treatment effect is more effective.
Wide coverage: Multiple angle neck allows easy self-treatment of all areas.
Safety features: Timers, eye shields, etc help prevent accidental overexposure.
Certifications: FDA-cleared and CE-certified for safety and performance.
Warranty: 3 years parts and labor warranty provides peace of mind.
Trusted company: RedDot LED is backed by decades of light therapy device manufacturing experience and many loyal customers.

If you’re looking to take control of your alopecia, the Reddot RDPro Series is the top-rated option to help you achieve your best regrowth. You owe it to yourself to try this innovative approach and get your confidence back. Choose RedDot LED today as a safe, effective option to help restore a full head of hair.