Best Red Light Therapy for Hair Growth: WIRED-Approved (2026)

no hair loss Always dramatic. It may be incremental. You start to see a little more of the skull in the harsh light of the bathroom; A small bald spot when you tie your hair into a ponytail. Shower drain is clogged more than usual. Not long ago, hair loss treatment meant topical treatments, supplements or a flight to Turkey. Luckily, red light therapy brings the ability to regrow hair into your own home – no medical appointment required.

In addition to skin rejuvenation, research shows that red light therapy can help activate hair follicles, increase blood circulation in the scalp, reduce inflammation, and reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone – a hormone that causes hair loss and thinning. Red light therapy also supports adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, which helps provide oxygen and blood flow to the scalp and triggers follicles to stay in the hair growth phase.

To determine the best red light therapy for hair growth, I contacted three WIRED tech reviewers who have dealt with hair loss themselves. We evaluated red light therapy caps, hands-free helmets with full scalp coverage, and low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation devices for 16 weeks. Plus, we reviewed the research, talked to dermatologists, and explored ease of use. These are the favorites that delivered meaningful results and earned our trust.

Be sure to check out our other hair care guides, including the best dry shampoos, best heat protectant sprays, and best hair dryers.

Best Red Light Helmet

Currentbody’s LED Hair Growth Helmet is a wearable, cord-free, Bluetooth-enabled device that aims to improve hair density, thickness, and overall condition. Each panel of the helmet has 12 red lights (120 total), on a spectrum of 620 to 660 nanometers (nm). The 620-nm red light helps improve scalp health by promoting circulation, and the 660-nm red light penetrates deeply, passing through the epidermis and dermis to reach the hypodermis, where it stimulates growth and repair at the follicle root. According to CurrentBody, you only need to use the device for 10 minutes a day, and you’ll see results within 12 weeks.

My hair grows very slowly. I got a pixie cut in the spring of 2011 and by the end of 2013 my hair didn’t touch my shoulders. My hair is also very good. It tangles easily and breaks often (my ends have been dry and cracked for a long time). After 12 weeks, I didn’t notice any big difference in length (and I got a haircut midway through the trial), but I did notice that my hair was growing new follicles, especially in my scalp and sideburn area. I started seeing little hairs on my hairline that I had never seen before. My stylist commented that my hair felt thicker, and I noticed less breakage and less frizz when brushing. My balding roommate also tried it (though not daily like me) and said his hair felt thicker and there was new growth around the scalp.

The helmet comes in two sizes: medium for a skull circumference of 21.3 to 23.2 inches, or large for 23.3 to 25 inches. (I opted for the medium, and it was too big for my head size.) The device sits on a base and charges via a USB-C cord. It takes about three hours to charge completely and lasts for about a week on a single charge. The device turns on by pressing a single button located below the charging port. The circular earmuffs protect sensitive ears with a padded, removable faux leather fabric, and they can be adjusted up or down several inches to ensure a comfortable fit. The screen on the right earmuff indicates the time remaining in the treatment session, and the helmet automatically turns off when the 10 minutes are up. You can also connect the device via Bluetooth and play any type of music or video while wearing it, because God forbid I’m left alone with my thoughts for 10 minutes a day. Just make sure your hair is clean and dry before use.

My only complaint is that the ear covers are not the easiest to adjust while wearing and at times my hair gets pulled out when I remove or adjust the helmet. Still, it is the best red light therapy for hair growth. Just you wait, I’ll be looking like Fabio on the cover of a romance novel by next year. Check out the full review here. —molly higgins