Does red light therapy work for hair loss and actually make a difference, or is it just another hair restoration gimmick that doesn’t deliver?
The question is a pressing one here in Australia, where approximately 70-80% of men and 49% of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives.
To answer it, I looked closely at the science and studies around using red light for hair loss. The short answer is yes, red light therapy can slow hair loss and boost hair regrowth in some cases. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
If you’re considering red light therapy treatments for hair loss, here’s what you need to know – and it begins with understanding what type of hair loss you’re experiencing and the causes behind it.
Understanding What Causes Hair Loss
Hair loss isn’t a single condition with a single cause. Understanding what’s driving your hair loss matters, because treatments that help one type can do very little for another.
- Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause. It’s often called male or female pattern hair loss, and is influenced by genetics and hormones and causes the follicles to gradually shrink. Red light therapy can help slow this process by supporting follicle activity, but it doesn’t remove the underlying hormonal trigger.
- Telogen effluvium occurs when a larger-than-normal number of hairs shift into the shedding phase. This can happen after illness, major stress, rapid weight loss or surgery. Red light therapy can be very effective here, as follicles are usually still healthy.
- Nutrient deficiencies such as low protein intake, low iron levels, or lack of certain vitamins may contribute to thinning hair. Addressing the underlying deficiency will typically have the greatest impact here.
- Certain health conditions such as autoimmune issues, skin disorders or chronic inflammation can also interfere with normal hair growth cycles. As with nutrient deficiencies, the first and best thing to do is to treat the underlying health issue before you consider any treatments.
This is why blanket advice rarely works. Treatments that promote hair growth by stimulating follicles can only work if your follicles are capable of producing healthy hair.
Before considering red light therapy or any other intervention, talk to your GP to confirm what type of hair loss you’re dealing with and whether it will respond to treatment.
How Red Light Therapy Works
Red light therapy, also known as cold laser therapy or PBM therapy, uses specific wavelengths of red (630–670 nm) and near-infrared light (810–850 nm) that penetrate the skin and reach cells beneath the surface. It works by stimulating an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase found in the mitochondria of cells, which increases mitochondrial activity and boosts cellular energy production.
Or, to put it in a less technical way: Red light therapy helps your cells to generate more energy. This is good because it lets your cells function more effectively and respond better to physical damage.
How Red Light Therapy May Help with Hair Loss
Here’s how the effects of red light therapy can help stimulate hair growth:
- Stimulating Follicle Energy Production. Red and near-infrared light penetrate the scalp and activate mitochondria in hair follicle cells, boosting ATP (energy) production. This “wakes up” dormant follicles and helps strengthen weak ones.
- Enhancing Circulation and Nutrient Flow. Red light therapy increases local blood circulation, improving oxygen and delivery of essential nutrients to the scalp – essential for strong, active follicles.
- Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. Chronic inflammation is a known contributor to hair loss. Red light helps calm inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress around follicles, improving overall scalp health and often boosting hair count.
- Balancing the Hair Growth Cycle. Red light can lengthen the anagen (growth) phase and shorten the telogen (rest/shedding) phase, encouraging thicker, denser regrowth over time.
What the Research Says
The evidence supports red light therapy or low level light therapy (LLLT) as a non-invasive treatment for hair growth that works best when used consistently over an extended period – especially when started early.
- Clinical trials show that red light therapy can significantly improve hair density in both men and women with androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss).
- Studies suggest that red light therapy can increase hair growth by 35% to 51% compared with placebo when used over 16 weeks.
- Improvements typically appear after 3–4 months of regular use, with more noticeable results around 6–12 months.
- The American Academy of Dermatology recognises low-level light therapy as a potential option for androgenetic alopecia, noting its ability to stimulate hair follicles safely and non-invasively.
- Red light therapy appears most effective when follicles are still viable (thinning or miniaturised, not dead).
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss
If you have the kind of hair loss that will likely respond to red light therapy and are considering a course of treatment, here are a few key points that will help you get the most out of it:
Commit to the Required Frequency and Duration
The average treatment duration for red light therapy is 3 to 6 months, with multiple sessions required for optimal results. Experts recommend daily sessions of 10 minutes for 16 weeks for the best outcomes with red light therapy for hair loss. While you can expect to start seeing some improvements within 6 to 8 weeks of starting treatment, it’s important to stick with it – hair growth gains can be reversed if you stop early.
Take a ‘before’ photo of the area you wish to improve before starting red light therapy. This lets you see the progress you’ve made over time, and will encourage you to keep going over the full course of treatment.
Combining Treatments Can Improve Results
Red light therapy can be used in conjunction with other hair growth treatments for enhanced results.
For example, combining red light therapy with medications like Minoxidil (oral) or Finasteride (topical) often yields better results than red light therapy alone.
If you can’t or prefer not to take medications, then regular scalp massages are another good option. These can improve blood flow and enhance the effects of red light therapy.
Talk to your GP about what other treatments are best suited for you to undergo alongside red light therapy.
What to Avoid
Red light therapy devices should always be used on clean, dry, and product-free hair. Avoid heat styling and harsh chemical treatments to maximise the benefits of red light therapy.
Which Red Light Therapy Device to Use for Hair Growth
Wearable red light devices such as caps and helmets are designed for full scalp coverage, allowing light to reach hair follicles consistently and evenly. Being hands-free and easy to use, they make it much easier to stick to a regular routine – hugely important for any hair growth treatment.
Other red light tools like handheld wands or flat panels also deliver red light, but are less practical for hair loss. They require careful positioning and it’s harder to treat the entire scalp evenly. This usually results in inconsistent use. A hair growth helmet or similar scalp-specific device is therefore the most direct and reliable option.
That said, hair health isn’t limited to the scalp alone. Circulation, inflammation, and overall cellular health also play a role in how well follicles function, which is where broader red light exposure can support your hair regrowth goals.
Can Full-Body Red Light Devices Help Regrow Hair?
Full-body red light therapy systems like the NovoTHOR red light bed provide systemic benefits that also support hair health and new hair growth:
- Improved circulation: Boosts nitric oxide and vascular flow throughout the body, including the scalp – promoting better nutrient delivery to follicles.
- Reduced inflammation: Chronic inflammation and stress are major contributors to hair thinning; NovoTHOR helps modulate both.
- Enhanced mitochondrial function: By improving cellular energy system-wide, NovoTHOR supports every tissue that influences scalp vitality and follicle metabolism.
For the best of both worlds, combine your use of red light devices:
- A daily 10-minute treatment session with a red light cap to directly stimulate follicles.
- 3x weekly full-body red light therapy sessions to enhance circulation and improve cellular energy.
- Continue consistently for at least 16 weeks to track improvements in hair quality and scalp health.
Together, these methods work synergistically. Full body red light therapy treatments a few times per week support the internal recovery systems, while using your at-home red light therapy helmet daily helps to externally energise hair follicles and encourage new growth.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe for Me?
Red light therapy has no known major side effects, making it a safe choice for hair loss treatment in most cases. Unlike tanning methods, there is no evidence that red light therapy causes skin cancer, as it does not expose you to damaging UV rays.
Minor side effects of red light therapy can include temporary skin irritation, but most research has revealed no adverse effects. To reduce the chance of irritation, you should conduct a sensitivity test before starting red light therapy for hair loss.
While red light therapy is mostly safe when used correctly, at high levels it can cause skin redness and blistering, and people prone to light-induced seizures should consult their healthcare provider before use. So should anyone who takes medications that increase their skin or eye sensitivity.
Whether or not you have sensitive eyes, always wear protective goggles during red light therapy to prevent potential eye damage, especially when using high-powered LED lights near the face or scalp.
Book Your Red Light Therapy Session Today
Ready to see what red light can do for your hair – and your overall wellbeing?
Book a NovoTHOR session at The Physicaltherapy Centre, North Sydney and experience full-body photobiomodulation used by professional athletes and longevity clinics worldwide.
