Regardless of the male and female types of hair loss and the causes of thinning hair and balding, many solutions can help restore hair growth in both men and women. One that is increasingly gaining traction is red light therapy.
Let’s see what red light therapy is, how it works, what benefits it provides, the potential adverse effects it may bring, and its alternatives.
How Does It Work?
Red light therapy devices have light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The light emitted by those LEDs stimulates cytochrome C oxidase, an enzyme complex that helps mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP boosts cellular energy.
When you direct red light to your scalp, you kickstart ATP production in scalp tissue, increasing energy in hair cells to boost blood flow to your hair follicles. That provides your hair with extra oxygen and nutrients, helping it grow.
Is Red Light Therapy Effective in Hair Loss Treatments?
Red light therapy can bio-stimulate hair cells and follicles, keeping hair in the anagen (growth) phase longer. It can also drive it faster from the telogen (resting) to the anagen phase and prevent it from prematurely entering the catagen (transition) phase. That means your hair can grow faster and thicker.
The best part? These benefits aren’t guesswork—many researchers have proven the effects. Here are the most notable clinical trials.
A 2013 randomized controlled trial included 41 men (aged 18–48) with androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss), with 22 receiving LLLT and 19 getting a placebo. The treatment of hair loss patients in the active group resulted in a 35% hair growth increase after 16 weeks.
A similar 2014 study included 42 women (aged 18–60) with female pattern hair loss, with 24 getting red light therapy and 19 receiving a placebo. The active group saw a 37% hair growth boost within 16 weeks. The results were even more promising in a 2017 clinical trial where women witnessed a 51% hair growth increase within 17 weeks.
Are There Side Effects?
Red light therapy devices are safe, but some patients might experience adverse effects. The good news is they’re temporary. They’re also typically mild. Here’s what you might notice after red light therapy:
- Redness – The treated area looking red is typical after treatment. After all, the light wavelengths you direct at your scalp are within the range of sun rays reaching Earth’s surface. It’s like sunbathing but without the harmful UV rays.
- Scalp tenderness – You may feel mild irritation, including tingling or itching, due to increased blood flow. However, that should subside within several hours. A warm sensation is also no cause for concern, indicating the treatment works. Some patients experience dry scalp, but hair oils can help lock in moisture.
- Headaches – Some people report headaches after LLLT. However, those are rare cases where patients sensitive to the therapy undergo more than necessary treatments.
Whichever adverse effect you feel (if any), it will resolve soon after treatment.
Alternative Hair Loss Treatments
Red light therapy isn’t the only solution to hair loss. Here are other treatments to consider:
- Topical solutions – Minoxidil 5% is among the most sought-after creams for stimulating hair growth. Many doctors prescribe it with Finasteride for better results. Others also recommend steroid creams, although they work best with alopecia areata or spot baldness (an autoimmune condition).
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy – PRP therapy involves injecting a patient’s blood into their scalp to promote hair growth. Professional athletes have used it for years to accelerate healing after a sports injury, so you know it’s safe.
- Hair transplantation – Innovative medical technology has turned hair transplantation into a minimally invasive procedure. It involves extracting follicles from the donor site (typically the sides and back of the scalp) and inserting them into areas with thinning hair or balding. It’s the only permanent solution to hair loss.
Red light therapy, topical medications, and PRP therapy are beneficial for mild to moderate hair loss or thinning. Only hair transplantation can help with excessive hair loss.
That doesn’t mean you can’t combine these treatments. For instance, red light therapy is beneficial after a hair transplant. It can accelerate recovery and boost growth in transplanted hair grafts while strengthening healthy hair.
Hair Transplants at Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic
Dr. Serkan Aygın Clinic is an award-winning hair transplant center in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s your excellent choice because world-renowned Dr. Serkan Aygın has a 98% hair regrowth rate and 25+ years of experience. He and his seasoned medical team have performed 10,000+ hair transplant procedures, helping patients transform their lives.
The clinic specializes in Sapphire FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and DHI (Direct Hair Implantation). The former involves a motorized tool for loosening follicles before extracting them with forceps. The following stages include opening microchannels using a sapphire-tipped blade for high precision and inserting the grafts into balding or thinning areas. It’s perfect for excessive hair loss.
The latter includes a Choi pen for extracting and directly inserting harvested grafts without opening microchannels. It’s ideal for achieving higher density. No incisions also mean faster recovery.
Regardless of your procedure and hair transplant method, you’ll get an all-inclusive package with hotel accommodat
Restore Your Hair Growth With Dr. Serkan Aygın
Dr. Serkan Aygın is your go-to hair restoration specialist for restoring your youthful appearance through hair transplantation and red light therapy. He and his expert team provide premium quality at affordable prices and support patients from the initial consultation through the last follow-up when final, natural-looking results are visible.
Schedule a free consultation to understand how Dr. Serkan Aygın Clinic can make your hair thrive and determine if it meets your needs.
