Red Light Therapy for Hair Growth: The Science and Benefits Unveiled

Flavio Lucariello - June 06 2024

Red Light Therapy: The Revolutionary Approach to Boost Hair Growth

A wall of red dots on a black background. This image is used to represent red light therapy, a hair growth treatment.

When it comes to growing healthy, vibrant hair, many have turned to innovative solutions like red light therapy. But what exactly is red light therapy, and how can it benefit your hair? In this article, we’ll delve into the science behind red light therapy, explore its origins with NASA, and discuss its benefits and potential drawbacks.
Let's delve into the world of microcurrent therapy and explore its potential benefits for hair growth. We'll also compare it to red light therapy and see why combining them might be the ultimate hair care power couple.

What Red Light Therapy Is and How It Works

Red light therapy, or low-level light therapy (LLLT), is gaining attention as a natural, effective, and safe method to stimulate hair growth. This therapy involves applying visible red light to the scalp, which the body converts into cellular energy. Just as sunlight helps plants thrive, this energy stimulates the body's natural healing processes, including hair regrowth, health, and thickness.

A large NASA sign in front of a building with a rocket in the background.

NASA's Role in Red Light Therapy

Interestingly, red light therapy has roots in space exploration. In the early 2000s, NASA scientists discovered that red light could stimulate plant growth in space. The light helped plants photosynthesize more effectively, leading to faster and healthier growth. Intrigued by these results, researchers explored whether red light could have similar benefits for human cells. NASA’s studies revealed that red light therapy could accelerate the healing of wounds and promote tissue regeneration in astronauts. These findings sparked a wave of research into red light therapy’s potential applications, including its benefits for hair growth.

The Benefits and Potential Drawbacks of Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy offers numerous benefits from wound healing, to treating skin conditions and much more, however, we aim to analyze what this amazing therapy can do for our precious hair.

Stimulates Hair Growth: Red light therapy increases blood circulation to the scalp, providing hair follicles with the essential nutrients and oxygen they need to grow.

Improves Hair Density and Thickness: Regular use of red light therapy can result in thicker, denser hair.

Reduces Hair Loss: By strengthening hair follicles, red light therapy can help reduce hair shedding.

Promotes Scalp Health: The therapy also improves overall scalp health, reducing issues like dandruff and inflammation.

Does Red Light Have Side Effects?

Red light therapy does not have side effects, it’s safe to use alongside other treatments and effective for both men and women. However, it’s important to consider that:

Consistency is Key: Red light therapy requires consistent use over several months to see significant results.

Individual Results Vary: The effectiveness of red light therapy can vary from person to person.

Cost: Professional treatments can be expensive, but fortunately, affordable domestic solutions are available.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Red Light Therapy

Today, red light boasts hundreds of scientific researches in the most diverse fields. Earlier we mentioned the publication of a NASA-funded study in the journal ‘Photomedicine and Laser Surgery’ which found that red light therapy can significantly accelerate the healing of human tissue. Countless studies have also been conducted on hair growth, and even if this is a topic for a separate article, it is worth mentioning a few of them.

An astronaut wearing a blue shirt and gloves tends to plants growing under red and infrared light on the International Space Station, smiling at the camera while conducting a space agriculture experiment.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Red Light Therapy

Close-up of a person's scalp with thinning hair, as fingers part the hair to reveal a patch of exposed skin, indicating hair loss or alopecia.

Red Light for Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)

A 2014 study published in "Lasers in Surgery and Medicine" found that red light therapy significantly increased hair density in participants suffering from androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). This notable double-blind, randomized trial involving 47 women showed significant results. Participants who received red light treatment every other day for 16 weeks experienced a 37% increase in hair growth with no adverse effects. This highlights the potential of red light therapy as a viable solution for hair loss.

Red Light Outperformed Common Drugs with No Side Effects

A 2018 meta-analysis examined 22 studies comparing LLLT to other common drug treatments like Finasteride, PRP, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil. This meta-analysis concluded that red light therapy was a superior treatment. Most importantly, while many of the drugs had negative side effects, red light therapy was found to have none.

Various supplements and vitamins in capsules and tablets scattered on a green surface, with several small bowls and bottles containing different types of pills and herbal powders.

Red Light Outperformed Common Drugs with No Side Effects

The word ‘effective’ in black and white letters, revealed through a tear in a sheet of grey paper.

Red Light Therapy Can Be Used to Enhance Other Treatments

In 2017, a compelling study explored the effects of red light therapy in comparison to topical minoxidil 5% ointment, a widely-used treatment for female pattern hair loss. The study involved 45 women divided into three groups: one group received red light therapy, another used topical ointment, and the third group combined both treatments. Researchers found that red light therapy was notably effective on its own. However, they recommended combining red light therapy with topical ointment for faster hair regrowth, highlighting the powerful synergy between these two treatments.

Introducing FLO™: Your Ultimate Hair Growth Solution

Imagine a device that packs the power of red light therapy into one convenient, easy-to-use tool that can revolutionize your hair in 5 minutes a day. Cool, right?

That's where the FLO™ system comes in, an innovative device that features all the latest hair care technologies. Besides red light therapy, it includes microcurrent and a vibrating scalp massage to supercharge your hair growth journey. But that’s not all – it also boasts an auto-serum delivery system to enhance absorption and maximize the results of your favorite hair serums and treatments.

Unlike helmets or other devices that cover the entire head, FLO™ is a brush that moves through your hair, facilitating light absorption and ensuring more effective results. Plus, FLO™ features a unique POD system that seamlessly distributes serum directly to your scalp, enhancing the overall treatment.

Ready to take the next step? Discover more about FLO™ and start your journey to stunning hair today.