Hair loss can be the most frustrating experience for men and women alike. Although it is a natural part of aging, a variety of factors come into play. Heredity is one of the major factors at play. Other factors could be hormonal imbalances or certain medical conditions, such as alopecia areata or autoimmune diseases.
Have you been suffering from premature hair loss and wondering, "Does red light therapy prevent hair loss?" The short answer is - Yes! It's a non-invasive way to regain confidence without spending much time in a salon. Scalp red light therapy has gained momentum recently due to its unparalleled ability to stimulate hair growth and increase hair density, without causing any complications!
This article aims to explore the effectiveness of red light therapy. Let's find out more about whether it can help prevent hair loss and stimulate growth.
Common Causes of Hair Loss
Not only is losing hair aesthetically unpleasing, but it can also have a negative impact on one's confidence. Understanding the causes of underlying hair loss can help one address the issue with care. Let's have a look at a few factors that can contribute to hair loss:
-
Genetic Factors:
Androgenetic alopecia: Red light therapy can slow down the progression of androgenetic alopecia. It increases blood flow to the scalp and delivers essential nutrients to hair follicles.
Pattern balding is a genetic predisposition that causes hair follicles to shrink over time. Red light therapy enhances cellular function in the scalp, supporting hair follicle growth.
-
Stress and Hormonal Imbalances:
-
Stress: High levels of stress can trigger telogen effluvium, a condition that causes hair to shed prematurely. Red light therapy works wonders to reduce stress levels. The therapy aims to regulate hormones, minimizing hair loss.
-
Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid disorders can also contribute to hair loss. Red light therapy is the only logical way to go.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Scalp Conditions:
-
Nutritional deficiencies: One who suffers from iron, zinc, or biotin deficiencies can experience hair thinning.
-
Scalp conditions: Dandruff, psoriasis, and fungal infections can damage hair follicles, leading to unnecessary hair loss.
Red light therapy can address nutritional deficiencies and scalp conditions. It may also stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth.
The Phases of Hair Growth
Our hair growth cycle has three different stages, including:
-
Anagen: It's the growth phase when the hair keeps growing to its entire length.
-
Catagen: This regression phase marks the transition of hair from growth into the resting phase.
-
Telogen: Telogen or resting phase occurs when the hair follicle becomes dormant.
This hair growth phase occurs in a balanced cycle. If there's a disruption in this hair growth cycle, or a hair follicle becomes damaged, your hair may start falling out more quickly than regenerated. That's the reason for pattern balding.
What is Red Light Therapy?
RLT, or Red light therapy, is also called low-level light therapy (LLLT). It's a treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to help treat various skin and hair conditions. Hungarian physician Endre Mester first discovered an RLT device in 1967. The FDA approved an LLLT device for the first time in 2002. In light of this, red light therapy has started being used in several clinical applications in the wellness industry.
Red light therapy uses two types of light: a) red light and b) near infra-red light.
a) Red light: The wavelengths of red light range from 620 to 750 nanometers. The red light can penetrate the superficial layers of the skin to stimulate blood flow in the scalp.
b) Near-infrared light uses 800 to 850 wavelength nanometers to penetrate the skin deeper. This light is more effective in reaching the hair follicles and stimulating them for new hair growth.
RLT uses red and near-infrared light to target hair follicles at different depths. As a result, it becomes more effective in maximizing the effectiveness of hair loss treatment. The FDA has already approved a select few red light therapy devices for hair growth.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Scalp and Hair Health
Here are the red light therapy benefits to consider:
-
Improve Hair Quality: Those suffering from split ends and breakage will find RLT helpful. Red light therapy is believed to thicken the strands of the hair and reduce hair fall.
-
Repair Damaged Hair: Red and near-infrared light can stimulate hair follicles. This promotes the growth of stronger hair and the repair of damaged hair.
-
Strong Hair Roots: Red light therapy can stimulate blood flow in the scalp. It provides essential nutrients to the hair follicles, making the roots stronger.
-
Decreased Hair Shedding: RLT is a natural way to promote hair growth and reduce excessive hair shedding.
-
Reduced Oil Production: If you have too much oily scalp, red light therapy is the answer. It helps regulate oil production in the scalp, preventing dandruff and greasy hair.
-
Brain Relaxation: Do you want to experience the calming effect of red light therapy? Wearing a hair growth scalp care hat can reduce stress by calming your brain.
-
Faster and Safer Option: RLT is a much safer and faster way to treat hair loss issues.
-
Painless Without Side Effects: If there could be a single most effective and painless hair loss treatment that has no side effects, it could be hair regrowth devices that use red light.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work for Hair Growth?
Here is how red light hair growth works. Upon reaching the scalp, both red and near-infrared light stimulate hair follicles. The red light then interacts with mitochondria, which serve as the powerhouse of cells. In mitochondria, there is an enzyme known as cytochrome c oxidase. The red light stimulates this enzyme, creating a biochemical reaction. This leads to an increase in the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Now, ATP is the source of cellular energy. It provides necessary resources to the hair follicles, enabling them to stay in the anagen (growth) phase for a more extended period of time. The red light also reduces the telogen (resting) phase. This increases the production of hair strands while decreasing the duration of the shedding phase.
As RLT works to improve blood flow and encourage cellular function in the scalp, it helps strengthen the hair roots. The stronger the roots, the healthier the hair follicles.
Effectiveness of Red Light Therapy for Men and Women
A 2020 study published in Medicine found that RLT can effectively treat hair loss in males and females. Since the red light effectively stimulates hair follicles, it helps improve scalp health.
If you wish to enhance your self-esteem and confidence, RLT is the only safe treatment you can try. Studies have shown that red light therapy is adept at slowing down the progression of male pattern baldness in males. It helps boost hair growth, making men feel more confident than ever.
RLT is also effective in treating female pattern baldness. Women who have experienced thinning hair for a long time can find it effective in treating their issues.
Plus, red light therapy can work wonders in enhancing the quality and thickness of your hair.
Many users received positive results after receiving RLT. They admitted to finding significant improvements in hair density and thickness, too.
Popular Red Light Therapy Devices
There has been an influx of popular red light therapy devices that have been FDA-approved. These devices are the best home-use devices one can ever use. Hair growth scalp care hats are one of these popular RLT devices. Let's discuss the pros and cons of these devices:
Red Light Hair Growth Cap | Device Review
Pros
-
Convenience: Home-use red light therapy devices are convenient as you do not have to visit a salon.
-
Cost-effective: At-home devices would not cost you an arm and a leg.
-
Safe and Painless: You can wear these devices just like you wear hats, and there are no side effects.
-
Ergonomic and Comfortable: The cap design makes it feel comfortable on the head. You can wear it while reading, working, or watching TV.
Cons
-
Consistency: For optimum results, you need to use the device consistently.
-
Limited coverage: Some devices may not cover the entire scalp, which could limit their effectiveness.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss Prevention
To make the most of RLT, you need to follow specific guidelines, which are:
-
Frequency: Aim to use hair regrowth devices 2-3 times weekly. The more consistent you are, the better your results will be. More than one session is needed. Make sure you use RLT for up to 8 to 12 weeks to start seeing visible results.
-
Duration: Each session should last around 20 minutes.
-
Wavelength: Ensure your device emits red light in the 630-660 nanometer range.
-
Distance: Wear the cap close to your scalp. Make sure it does not touch the skin directly.
Here are some tips for using red light therapy for hair loss prevention:
-
Combine with other treatments: Experts recommend combining red light therapy with other hair loss treatments, such as minoxidil or finasteride. Apply specific hair serums to see results in just weeks.
-
Consult with a healthcare professional: If you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, consult a professional before starting red light therapy.
Red light therapy only works its magic after consistent use over a period of time. You need to follow these guidelines and keep taking sessions for weeks. Be patient and use red light therapy consistently. This increases your chances of experiencing positive results quickly.
Are There Any Side Effects to Red Light Therapy Hair Growth?
Red light therapy is a safe and painless treatment for hair loss. There are minimal red light therapy hair growth side effects. Many users find RLT devices very comfortable and safe, as the side effects are well-tolerated.
-
Commonly, you may encounter mild scalp irritation. But you should be OK with this as it can disappear quickly.
-
In very rare cases, there could be a chance of temporary redness, itching, tingling or dryness in the scalp. Though these effects are temporary.
-
It's important to avoid direct exposure to the eyes, as this may cause dryness or discomfort.
-
Additionally, some individuals may experience allergic reactions when using red light therapy on the skin; if any adverse reactions are noticed, usage should be stopped at once.
Take the necessary safety precautions to avoid side effects. For example, you may want to see a doctor before undergoing RLT. Also, FDA-approved devices should be used to prevent complications.
Make sure you watch out for these things:
-
The device must emit red light in the 630 to 660 nm range.
-
Excessive light intensity may damage the skin.
-
The quality of the device should be top-notch.
Men and women with female pattern baldness, thinning hair, or stress-related hair loss are good candidates for RLT. Avoid it if you have:
-
Recent eye surgery
-
Skin cancer
-
Active infections or inflammation
-
Photosensitivity
Comparing Red Light Therapy with Other Hair Loss Treatments
Red light therapy offers a gentler hair loss treatment that’s not only convenient but also effective. Unlike medications or surgical options, RLT is non-invasive, making it ideal for people not willing to go under the knife.
It has no side effects like medications or surgery. When we reached out to beauty experts with this question, they explained, “Red light therapy stands out in hair loss treatment due to its gentle, non-invasive, and convenient characteristics, making it ideal for everyday use with long-lasting effects. Compared to other hair loss treatment devices like electrostimulation or microneedling, red light therapy is milder but offers high ease of use and comfort, especially suitable for long-term care and early-stage hair loss. It is a safe, effective, and easy-to-maintain option for treating hair loss.”
The best part of RLT is that it can be used in combination with other treatments and hair care solutions. It is a complementary treatment option that does a wonderful job of preventing hair loss and strengthening hair roots.
Red Light Therapy: Reviews and Before & After
To understand the effectiveness of RLT, you need to know what other people have to say about it. Let's have a look at some red light therapy for hair loss reviews and before-and-after results:
"I have been using red light therapy for three months. So far, I have noticed a significant reduction in hair shedding. I feel my hair has become thicker and healthier." - says 35 year old Jaimy.
There's nothing more effective way to prove the efficacy of RLT than visual evidence. Here are some red light therapy hair before and after pictures of people who have already used RLT for treating their hair loss issues:
"Red light therapy has emerged as a powerful treatment that's effective in growing stronger, thicker, and healthier hair. Not only does it help make your hair look dense, but the appearance of your hair is also improved," according to a dermatologist, Dr. Engelman.
Various studies have found that in about 56% of the cases, patients saw new hair growth after using red light therapy devices.
Final Thoughts
If you have been a victim of hair loss, consider using Mychway's hair regrowth device, which uses red light to treat hair loss. Remember, individual results may vary. To get optimal results, use this device consistently.
FAQs
When does red light therapy work for hair loss?
The results of RLT start to become visible after the 12th week of treatment. Make sure you consistently use an RLT device available on our Mychway website.
How does red light therapy prevent hair loss?
Red light therapy uses red and near-infrared light to penetrate the scalp, stimulating the hair follicles from within. It then encourages cellular activity and improved blood flow, which leads to new hair growth.
How long does it take to see results from red light therapy for hair growth?
Red light therapy for hair growth may take 12 to 24 weeks to show results. You must use an FDA-approved device manufactured by a reliable brand like Mychway.
Can both men and women use red light therapy for hair loss?
Yes, red light hair growth for men therapy is also effective for women who are willing to regain their lost confidence.
Do dermatologists recommend red light therapy?
Dermatologists recommend using red light therapy for people experiencing thinning hair. However, those with underlying problems should avoid RLT.
How can RLT treatment plan be customized based on individual hair loss patterns or scalp conditions?
To customize a treatment plan, first determine the type of hair loss, then select the appropriate red light therapy mode in your Mychway hair growth cap:
-
L0: No pulse, suitable for short-term continuous treatment.
-
L1: 10Hz pulse to help induce brainwave entrainment.
-
L2: 40Hz pulse to help restore brainwaves to a natural order.
