Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss: Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Hair loss is a common issue affecting millions of people, with causes ranging from genetics and hormonal changes to stress and aging.

Among the growing treatments, red light therapy for hair loss has gained attention as a non-invasive option for promoting hair growth.

This method, also called low level light therapy (LLLT), uses red or near-infrared light to stimulate hair growth and improve blood circulation to the scalp. But how effective is it?

This article explores the science behind red light treatment for hair loss therapy, its benefits, potential side effects, and alternatives, helping you determine if this treatment is the right choice.

What is Red Light Therapy Hair Growth?

Low level laser therapy hair (LLLT) is a red light or cold laser therapy. This method stimulates weak cells in the scalp using red or near-infrared light.

When infrared lights penetrate the scalp, they increase blood circulation in scalp to the hair follicles, helping to support the regrowth of weak or thinning hair. Red light therapy hair growth is a non-invasive and safe treatment. Some people use LLLT devices like helmets at home, while others choose to have the therapy done by professionals in a clinic.

Let’s examine the connection between the hair growth cycle’s active phase (anagen phase) and laser light scalp therapy. The anagen phase is when hair actively grows and emerges from the roots. In clinics, experts use laser light for hair growth help patients’ hair return to the anagen phase, encouraging healthy growth along the hairline and other areas.

How LLLT Treats the Causes Of Hair Loss?

In this part of the blog, let’s focus on the causes of hair loss and explain the relationship between red light therapy for hair loss treatment:

• Various factors can cause hair loss; the most common is androgenetic alopecia.
• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes male pattern baldness by shrinking hair follicles and disrupting the hair cycle, which leads to thinning and hair loss.
• Female pattern baldness usually causes general thinning across the scalp.
• Hair loss can also be triggered by stress, often in the form of a temporary condition known as telogen effluvium.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause can also lead to hair shedding.
• Conditions like autoimmune diseases (Alopecia areata), scalp infections, and trichotillomania can cause hair loss.
• As we age, the hair growth rate naturally slows, leading to thinner hair.
• Tight hairstyles can also contribute to hair thinning.

Does red light therapy help hair growth? Research shows that near-infrared (red laser light) therapy can penetrate the scalp, helping tissue repair and regeneration. This light wavelength stimulates blood flow, promoting new hair growth. In short, LLLT can treat the hair loss caused by the abovementioned. However, red light therapy for alopecia may be more effective for those in the early stages of hair loss.

What Are the Side Effects Of Red Light Therapy Hair?

Red light therapy hair growth is generally considered safe, but it can cause some mild and temporary side effects. After treatment, you might experience temporary redness and sensitivity on the scalp due to increased blood flow.

You may also feel a slight warmth in the treated area, which usually means the therapy works. Some people may experience mild irritation, itching, or a tingling sensation on the scalp.

Also, scalp dryness can occur, and using moisturizing products can help ease this. Prolonged light exposure can rarely cause headaches, but these usually go away quickly after the treatment.

Red light therapy hair growth side effects are typically mild and temporary, making the process easily manageable for patients.

Treatment Alternatives to Red Light Hair Therapy

In addition to red light therapy for hair loss, here are some other effective and commonly used alternatives for hair loss therapy:

Finasteride

Finasteride is a pill approved by the FDA to treat male pattern baldness. It stops hair loss and thickens thinning hair but doesn’t help regrow hair in bald spots. You may see results after a few weeks, but it can take up to six months for some.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is another FDA-approved treatment for androgenic alopecia. It is often used for hair loss in women but is also effective for men. It comes as a foam or spray that you apply to your scalp. Results appear in about four months. Always use these treatments under a doctor’s guidance, as they may not work for everyone and can have side effects.

Hair Transplant

A hair doctor harvests healthy, strong hair from the patient’s donor area using a technique. The doctor transplants the extracted hair into areas affected by baldness or thinning. With an experienced and professional hair surgeon, finding a clinic equipped with state-of-the-art technology ensures natural-looking and permanent results.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

In PRP therapy, a small amount of your blood is taken and centrifuged. The resulting platelet-rich plasma is injected into your scalp. This procedure nourishes the hair follicles and helps temporarily stop hair loss.

Is Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss Right for You?

Let’s start by answering the question, ‘What do dermatologists say about red light hair growth?’ to assist you in deciding whether this treatment suits your needs.

Dermatologists consider red light therapy for hair growth a promising method for how to reverse hair fall. Some dermatologists recommend it as a complementary treatment, especially for individuals experiencing mild to moderate hair loss.

It is generally regarded as safe and well-tolerated. To find out what is best for you, consult a healthcare professional or schedule a free online consultation at Dr. Resul Yaman Hair Clinic.

Is Light Therapy Gray Hair Treatment Effective?

There is no evidence that LLLT can reverse gray hair. The formation of gray hair is related to a decrease in melanin production in the hair follicles. While red light therapy hair treatment supports healthy hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the hair follicles, it does not affect melanin production.

Bottom Line: Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light therapy for hair loss is a non-invasive treatment for issues like wrinkles, acne, and hair loss. It can be applied using at-home devices but is more effective in a clinical setting.

For more information on this topic, we recommend that you review the results of red light therapy before and after.

If you are experiencing severe hair loss, hair transplant surgery can restore your hair naturally and permanently. Dr. Resul Yaman Hair Clinic offers affordable hair loss treatments and delivers satisfying results to international patients in Turkey with an experienced hair doctor. The clinic uses advanced techniques like FUE hair transplant and DHI hair transplant. Feel free to contact us for a free online consultation.