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. Red light therapy for hair loss is the most non-invasive of the treatments which have surfaced in the past few years. Using red and near-infrared light, it evokes hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp.

This article shall thus review the science-based hypotheses of red light treatment for hair loss therapy, its benefits and side effects, and other possible therapies in order to help you decide whether or not the treatment is right for you.

What is Red Light Therapy Hair Growth?

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

When infrared lights reach the scalp, they increase blood circulation in scalp to hair roots for support for the regrowth of weak or thinner hair. Near-infrared light therapy hair growth is non-invasive and safe. Some people use LLLT devices like helmets at home, while others opt for the therapy in clinics by professionals.

Let us now assess the various phases in the hair growth cycle, specifically active or the anagen in relation to laser light scalp therapy. This is the anagen phase that represents when the hair grows actively and comes out of the roots.

In clinics, laser light is used by specialists to help the hair return to the anagen phase to support healthy hair growth at the hairline and in other areas. Some people followed by the public may have tried Red light therapy before a celebrity hair transplant. Celebrities such as Elon Musk, Can Yaman, Jidion, and Wayne Rooney are just a few.

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:

• There are various causes of hair fall among which the most common of them is androgenetic alopecia.
• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is responsible for male pattern baldness and it shrinks hair follicles acting against the natural hair cycle, which leads ultimately towards thinning and thereby baldness.
• As for female pattern baldness, that’s the condition when overall thinning is seen across the scalp.
• Hair switch to the telogen phase of their life cycle as a result of stress, resulting in hair loss in a condition known as telogen effluvium.
• Loss of hair amongst women may also occur because of hormonal changes taking place during pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.
• Along with this, there are some other causes that can lead to hair loss like diabetes, autoimmune diseases (Alopecia areata), infection of the scalp, and trichotillomania.
• Natural thinning of hair takes over with an increasingly slower pace of growth due to age, too.
• Referring to tight hairstyles can also contribute to thinning hair.

Does red light therapy help hair growth? Scientific evidence suggests  near-infrared (red laser light) penetrates the scalp and assists in tissue repair and regeneration; improves blood circulation that leads to new hair growth; and therefore the hair loss due to mentioned causes may be treated with LLLT. In other words, near-infrared spectrum therapy for alopecia will probably work best in the early stages of hair loss.

What Are the Side Effects Of Red Light Therapy Hair?

Red light therapy hair growth is, for the most part, safe, with potential mild and temporary side effects after treating the scalp redness with increased blood flow and sensitivity. You will have mild warmness in the treated area, usually meaning the therapy works.

A few may also experience mild irritability, itchy, or tingly feelings on the scalp. Dryness of the scalp is also possible, and moisturizing products can remedy 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 an FDA-approved medication to treat male-pattern baldness. It halts hair loss while thickening thinning hair, but it will not stimulate hair growth in bald areas. Expect to see some results after a few weeks, although in some cases, they may take as much as six months.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is another FDA-approved treatment for androgenic alopecia. It is applied most commonly to treat hair loss on women while being just as effective for men. It comes as a foam or spray that you put on your scalp. You will see results about four months later. Either treatment requires the supervision of a doctor since some may not work for everyone and have side effects.

Hair Transplant

A hair doctor will harvest healthy, strong hair from the patient’s donor area using advanced techniques. Then he will transplant this extracted hair harvested from the healthy areas into the areas of baldness or thinning.

You would expect to achieve natural-looking and permanent results if together with a skilled and professional hair surgeon you find a clinic that is equipped with the latest technology.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

The procedure involves draining some of your blood, which is then put into a centrifuge. The plasma with a high concentration of platelets is injected into your scalp. This nourishes the hair follicles and helps reverse the onset of hair loss but just temporarily.

Is Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss Right for You?

To help you make your choice regarding whether this treatment seems appropriate for your case, let us deal with the question: What do dermatologists say about red light hair growth?

Some dermatologists call red light therapy for hair growth a hopeful way to reverse hair fall, suggesting its use for mild to moderate hair loss as a complementary treatment.

It is generally considered safe and quite tolerable. Approach a healthcare expert for advice, or schedule an appointment for a free online consultation at Dr. Resul Yaman Hair Clinic to find the most suitable option for you.

If you are looking for an alternative treatment for your mild hair loss problem, read the blog about ‘Rosemary Oil for Hair Loss’.

Is Light Therapy Gray Hair Treatment Effective?

There is no evidence that LLLT can reverse gray hair. The formation of gray hair is directly connected to the reduction of melanin production in the hair follicles. Red light therapy hair treatment helps support healthy hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, but it will not affect melanin production.

Bottom Line: Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light therapy for hair loss would fall under non-invasive treatment for wrinkles, acne, and hair loss. It can be applied using at-home devices, but it is more effective in clinical conditions. Further information on this topic can be provided following the review of the red light therapy before and after.

In severe hair loss problems, hair transplant surgery guarantees natural and permanent hair restoration. Thanks to a specialized hair doctor, Dr. Resul Yaman Hair Clinic provides affordable hair loss treatments while delivering satisfying results for international patients within Turkey.

The clinic uses advanced techniques like FUE hair transplant and DHI hair transplant. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free online consultation.