• 1. What Can Cause Hair Loss?
• 2. How Does Red Light Therapy Work to Stop Hair Loss?
• 3. What Benefits Does Red Light Therapy Have?
• 4. How Long Does it Take to See Results?
• 5. Red Light Therapy at Home
• 6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Can Cause Hair Loss?

There are a few different kinds of hair loss, and each one can be a result of a combination of factors. Here are the main reasons why you might be experiencing hair loss:

Hormones
The most common type of hair loss is androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern hair loss. It’s caused by the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a hormone that shrinks the hair follicle and shortens the hair growth cycle.

This is the most common type of hair loss, and it impacts both men and women. For men, it usually results in hair receding from the hairline as well as bald patches at the crown of the head. In women, the hair loss is more diffused, usually resulting in general thinning of the hair which is most noticeable at the part.

Treating androgenic alopecia can be very difficult, and common treatments like finasteride and minoxidil don’t work for everyone. On the other hand, hair restoration surgery can be painful and has a long recovery time. This is why the rise of red light therapy is such an exciting treatment option since it’s effective yet totally non-invasive.

Age
Age-related hair loss is also hormonal. As we get older, the balance of hormones in the body changes. Once androgenic hair loss starts, it’s often progressive, especially if one doesn’t pursue any treatment. The majority of men will start experiencing hair loss in their 30s and 40s, which will get progressively worse as they reach 50. For women, hair loss usually starts after menopause.

Inflammation and scalp
health Any damage to the scalp can influence the hair follicle’s ability to produce hair. Skin conditions that lead to inflammation, harsh products that damage the scalp, and even hairstyles that pull on the hair aggressively can all lead to hair loss.

Immune conditions Alopecia areata is an immune condition where the body attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss. This condition is quite rare, but it can be very distressing. While red light therapy hasn’t been directly studied as a treatment for this type of hair loss, there is a possibility that it could be helpful. Inflammation plays a big role in alopecia areata, and since red light exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect, it may help prevent this type of hair thinning. 

Medications and treatments
Certain medications and treatments cause hair loss. Rapid hair loss (anagen effluvium) can occur as a result of cancer treatments like chemotherapy, while slower hair loss (telogen effluvium) can be a side effect of everything from antibiotics to antidepressants.

Stress
Stress throws the body’s hormonal system off-balance, and one of its side effects can be an increase in hair loss. The best way to deal with stress-related hair loss is by making lifestyle changes that reduce stress. That said, it’s possible that treatments that stimulate the hair follicle could speed the recovery time, to restore hair more quickly.

Nutritional deficiencies
Certain nutritional deficiencies, and especially ones that lead to anemia, can cause hair to fall out. Normally, this can be reversed once the underlying deficiency is addressed, although again, other treatments may help speed hair regrowth.

What Is Red Light Therapy For Hair Loss?

The magic behind red light therapy is its ability to gently stimulate the body’s own healing response. Red light penetrates through the skin, but unlike UV light, it doesn’t cause any photodamage. Instead, it gently stimulates renewal and repair, helping to correct a broad range of concerns.

  In an in vitro study on cultured tissue, it was found that red light was able to promote the proliferation of hair follicles and prolong the anagen phase. In simple terms, this means it was able to activate hair follicles that weren’t creating hair, while also keeping active hair follicles working better. This is likely what’s behind its ability to promote hair growth and reduce shedding and thinning.

 Studies on humans corroborate this evidence! Red light therapy was found to improve hair counts in men with androgenic alopecia. On average, participants in the study experienced a 35% increase in hair regrowth after 16 weeks of treatment!

 Red light therapy isn’t just for men, though. It was found to also help women experiencing androgenic hair loss. Over the course of 17 weeks, women treated with red light saw a 51% increase in hair count.

  Additional studies and reviews on different types of red light devices continue to show promise. While the precise results differ from device to device, it seems clear that red light has the potential to reduce hair loss and improve hair counts in those suffering from pattern hair loss.

What Benefits Does Red Light Therapy Have?

I The research shows that this therapy is remarkably effective, so here are some of the reasons why you should give it a try:

• It works: A lot of hair loss treatments are poorly researched or create false hope. Red light therapy consistently generates positive results, helping to improve hair growth.
• Helps men and women: Many hair loss treatments work much better for men than they do for women, but that’s not the case with red light therapy. Research shows that this technology is effective regardless of gender.
• It doesn’t hurt: Some treatments for hair loss, like restoration surgery, microneedling, and PRP, can be quite painful. Red light therapy is a gentle, non-invasive option that doesn’t hurt at all.
• It can be combined with other treatments: When you’re dealing with hair loss, chances are you want to do everything in your power to combat it. Because red light therapy is so gentle and non-invasive, you can combine it with other hair loss treatments to ensure a better outcome.

How Long Does it Take to See Results?

Red light therapy is gentle and non-invasive, so seeing results can take at least a few months of consistent treatment. Most studies noted a noticeable increase in hair count after 3 to 4 months of consistent treatment every other day. That said, you may see results even sooner if you introduce red light therapy in addition to other hair growth treatments, like taking minoxidil or doing microneedling.

Red Light Therapy at Home

Red light therapy can be done at medical clinics, but there are also devices you can use at home. The greatest benefit of using a home device is that you can power it up as often as you wish, without having to worry about booking appointments.

  There are a lot of red light therapy devices available for home use, including ones designed like caps that fit over the head.

  At Evertone, we developed the Infrawave. It’s a red light therapy wand that allows users a ton of flexibility. It can be used easily from head to toe, for any number of concerns. The key feature is stimulating LED red light, but it also includes microcurrent energy to tone and firm the skin and a gentle massage to address puffiness. It’s a comprehensive anti-aging device that you can use anywhere you like, to experience a multitude of effects, and for a fraction of the cost of a professional treatment!