A collection of light therapy research articles on the benefits of light therapy use for hair loss and alopecia.
NOTE: Researchers use several terms to describe “light therapy”. Photobiomodulation, low level light therapy (LLLT), phototherapy, photon therapy, photo energy, heliotherapy, and sometimes red, blue or (near)infrared radiation are synonymous; they all refer to light therapy.
Light therapy helps with hair loss
40 subjects that were diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia were given 18 minutes per day of low level light therapy at home (630 -660 nm) and after just 24 weeks of treatment, the low level light therapy group showed significantly greater hair density.
Light therapy for the treatment of hair loss
This publication looked at review of articles using light therapy for hair loss. They concluded that this therapy appeared to be both safe and effective for hair loss in men and women. One study in mice showed that light therapy stimulated hair growth in mice subjected to chemotherapy-induced hair loss. As they went through the actual mechanisms, the main one that is hypothesized is to be “stimulation of epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle bulge and shifting the follicles into anagen phase”.
Light therapy improves hair count in male pattern baldness
This study (a double blind randomized controlled trial) looked at red light therapy using either 655 nm lasers or 655 nm L.E.D’s and found that both groups had significantly increased their total hair count after the course of the 16 week study. Both groups applied the light every other day for a total of 60 treatments, and both groups benefited by around a 35% increase in hair count.
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Disclaimer: The content of this website is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be construed as such. Light devices are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. If you have a disease or illness, consult with your physician or health care provider prior to using any light device. Use only as directed by manufacturer.