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Red Light Therapy for Hair Growth: Does It Really Work?

Written by Infralight Team

Published on August 8, 2024

You never see hair loss coming until it sneaks up on you. First you notice a few more hairs than usual on your pillow, then the next thing you know, boom, your part starts getting wide enough to land a plane on and your hairline is retreating faster than a wave at the beach. You're not alone, millions of people experience this same struggle, whether it's thinning, receding, or straight up shedding. There's plenty of "miracle" cures on the market, but not everyone wants to put chemicals in their hair or undergo surgical treatments. Those who want an alternative to medical procedures or harsh chemicals have Red Light Therapy (RLT) as a safe, drug free, and non invasive solution that's backed by science. There's been a lot of hype around it lately, and in this article we're going to dive deep into how it works, break down the research, and see if it does what it says it does.

Title

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red Light Therapy (or low-level laser therapy/LLLT) delivers 630–660 nm red light and 810–850 nm near-infrared light to stimulate biological reactions in your body, from reducing pain and inflammation to increasing mobility, and of course, hair growth. NASA originally developed it for plant growth in space, but it turned out it was great at activating human cellular processes including scalp cell regeneration.

 

How it works:

- Red and near-infrared light is delivered straight to the scalp.
- Can be used via many devices including wearable hats, helmets, or handheld panels,
- The light wavelengths stimulate dormant hair follicles, encouraging them to re enter the anagen phase (active growth phase).

Let's Dive Deep Into The Science

Hair loss doesn't always occur due to a single reason, most people actually experience multiple factors when they lose their hair, this can appear in the form of:

 

- Genetics (Androgenetic Alopecia): The classic “blame dad” reason. Both men and women deal with this.
- Hormonal Changes: Thyroid disorders, menopause, or postpartum hair loss.
- Stress or Illness (Telogen Effluvium): Causes hair to prematurely enter the shedding (telogen) phase., usually due to trauma or sickness.
- Aging: Follicles get lazy, blood flow slows, and your hair just doesn’t bounce back like it used to.
- Poor Nutrition/Scalp Health: If your scalp isn’t getting the nutrients or oxygen it wants, it’s going to accelerate the problem.

 

Traditional treatments like minoxidil or finasteride have been around for a while, but they often come with side effects and inconsistent results. Red Light Therapy on the other hand, offers a non-pharmaceutical approach that aims to work at a cellular level: no harsh chemicals or prescriptions.

How Does Red Light Therapy Help Your Hair Regrow?

Alright, let’s geek out for a second. How does shining a light on your head help you keep your hair?

 

1. Boosts ATP Production
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main energy source for cellular processes, and is produced in higher amounts through light energy exposure. The energized hair follicles enables them to generate fresh hair growth, more ATP = more hair growth.

 

2. Enhances Blood Flow & Oxygen Delivery
Red Light Therapy causes blood vessels to dilate which results in better blood circulation in the scalp. Hair follicles enjoy a steady flow of all the nutrients they require as well as more oxygen and hormones via improved blood circulation.

 

3. Reduces inflammation & lowers DHT sensitivity.
Hair loss can occur due to inflammation and DHT presence which can cause follicle shrinkage. RLT decreases inflammation while also potentially reducing the impact of DHT related hair loss.

 

4. Extends the Anagen (Growth) Phase
RLT helps extend the growth phase of hair cycles, so your hair has more time to get longer, thicker and fuller hair before the shedding period restarts.

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What Does The Science Say?

Enough with the theory, where's the proof? There's actually an abundance of compelling evidence showing the benefits of RLT for hair growth, we'll dive deeper into some of the studies:

Study 1: 2014 – Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
Men who used red light therapy devices for sixteen weeks experienced a 39% improvement in their hair density according to double-blind placebo-controlled research results. The placebo group? Not so lucky.

 

Study 2: 2014 – Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
Women participants with pattern baldness achieved a higher hair count and thickness, after using red light therapy. These clinical research findings showed visible improvements by month 3.


Study 3: 2019 - Meta-analysis in Lasers in Medical Science

One of the most comprehensive meta-analyses to date on LLLT for androgenetic alopecia. It confirms that RLT is not only safe for those with androgenetic alopecia, it significantly increases hair growth, with noticeable improvements in hair thickness over 3-6 months on a consistent basis.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy isn’t just a last resort for desperate dads trying to cover up their shiny spot. It’s surprisingly versatile:

 

Men and women with early stage hair thinning: Get in there before it gets worse.


Those with postpartum or stress Induced hair loss: whether you just had a baby or a mental breakdown, RLT can help both your hairline & your mental health.


Those with poor scalp circulation: If your scalp’s starved for blood flow, RLT can bring a little life back.


People recovering from Illness: Sometimes your hair just needs a little nudge to get back in shape.


Combo Users: Can help increase the effectiveness of topical hair creams, serums, and supplements.


Anyone wanting to prevent the "runs in the family" reasoning: If you wanna keep what you’ve got, starting early and staying consistent is the way to go.

How to Use Red Light Therapy to Maximise Hair Growth:

We say this all the time: Consistency is key. You can’t just do a round of RLT once and expect miracles. It's more like gym membership than a magic pill. You've gotta show up, regularly. Imagine watering a plant, If you forget for a month, you can't just blame the plant for not growing any flowers.


Pick the Right Device (Don’t Cheap Out)

Not all red light devices are created equally. Choose something clinically tested and FDA approved (otherwise, who knows what you’re zapping your scalp with).
Wavelengths matter, you want both red light and near infrared light (roughly 660 nm and 850 nm). That’s the good stuff, backed by science and not just Instagram ads.


How Often? How Long?

Time: 10–20 minutes per session.
Frequency: 3–5 times per week. You can binge watch Netflix while you're at it.


Stick to the Schedule

Don’t ghost your hair follicles. RLT takes patience—for most people it'll take around 3–6 months of regular sessions before seeing anything worth bragging about. Miss a week? Look, it's not the end of the world, but expect delays. Consistency, consistency, consistency.


Tips on How to Boost Your Results:

Scalp massages: Get those fingers moving to increase scalp blood circulation, add on a hair growth serum for extra benefits.
Eat like you care: Biotin, zinc, omega-3s, collagen, all that good stuff, your diet plays a big part in hair regrowth.
Hydrate: We're talking 2+ litres of H2O daily, not a few iced coffees and calling it a day.

Red Light Therapy Versus Other Hair Loss Treatments:

Nope, it's not a dodgy tanning bed from 2004. No UV damage, no burns. Just don't be silly and look directly into the device. It's not exactly a laser, but your eyes will thank you when you wear the recommended safety glasses that come with your device. Check out a comparison below of Red Light Therapy vs other traditional methods:

Treatment

Effective-ness and Side Effects

Cost and Invasive-ness

Red Light Therapy

Clinically proven, no side effects

$$, Non-Invasive

Minoxidil

Works, but must be ongoing. Scalp Irritation

$$, Topical

Finasteride

Only effective in men. Hormonal imbalances, sexual side effects

$$, Oral

Hair Transplant

Clinically Proven. Surgery risks

$$$$, Highly invasive

Treatment

Effectiveness

Side Effects

Cost

Invasiveness

Red Light Therapy

Clinically Proven

None

$$

Non-invasive

Minoxidil

Works, but must be ongoing

Scalp irritation

$$

Topical

Finasteride

Only effective in men

Hormonal imbalances, sexual side effects

$$

Oral

Hair Transplant

Clinically Proven

Surgery risks

$$$$

Highly invasive

Common Myths About RLT For Hair Loss

🚫 “It’s just for men.”

✅ Nope. Research has demonstrated that Red Light Therapy brings benefits to both men and women when it comes to hair regrowth.

 

🚫 “You’ll see results right away.”

✅ Nuh uh. Hair regrowth is a slow biological process, which needs at least 3-6 months of solid consistent Red Light Therapy before visible results occur.

 

🚫 “Only professionals can do it.”

✅ Wrong again. The technology used in at home Red Light Therapy hats and panels use the same technology that's found in clinical models while delivering the same results in the comfort of your own home.

Is Red Light Therapy Really Worth It?

Absolutely (if you stick with it). The research is undeniable: RLT helps to wake up dormant hair follicles and boosts your regrowth. It's drug-free, non-invasive, and has no side effects if you follow the instructions. That being said: It’s not magic though. Don’t expect a full head of hair after two weeks of use. However, with a few months of consistency, you'll notice thicker, healthier hair. No drama, no pain, and no downtime after a trip to Turkey for a sketchy hair transplant. 

Ready for a Fuller, Thicker Head of Hair?

Brose our collection of trusted, premium Red Light Therapy hats and devices here. Affordable, safe, easy to use at home, and actually designed to work (unlike some cheap knockoffs out there). If you're starting to see more scalp than you're used to, and don't want the invasiveness, pain, and down time that comes with some of the other methods listed above, Red Light Therapy might be your new go to move.

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Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.

Expert Craftmanship.

Unmatched Quality.

At Infralight Recovery, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality red light therapy panels and recovery products. Built with premium materials and advanced LEDs, our panels emit powerful and consistent light to deliver ultra-effective results. Designed for durability and ease of use, each panel features a sleek, modern design with user-friendly controls. Rigorous and continuous testing ensures safety and reliability, giving you professional-grade equipment you can trust.

 

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Related articles:

Red Light Therapy 101: What It Is and How It Works

How Red Light Therapy Helps Reduce Pain and Inflammation

Red Light Therapy for Stress Relief & Mental Health

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