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CurrentBody’s LED Hair Growth Helmet has been on my radar since it first launched. With the technology’s promise to increase hair density and thickness, it’s little wonder that LED light therapy has become a more common go-to for those hoping to improve their scalp health and stimulate hair growth, particularly with devices such as this making it more accessible than ever.
As someone who’s always looking to improve the quality of their naturally thin hair, over the years I’ve tested just about any and every hair-growth product under the sun and am always keen to test out anything that can help support hair health in general.
Of course, LED light therapy as a whole is no new concept, with CurrentBody’s LED Face Mask being a favourite LED face mask among Glamour testers for its proven results improving skin texture and quality. And with the LED market set to be worth more than £600m ($760 million) globally by 2032, there’s no time like the present to get on the bandwagon.
An at-home red light therapy hair growth device designed to boost blood flow to the scalp, reduce inflammation and increase hair growth and density, CurrentBody's LED Hair Growth Helmet is clinically proven to increase hair growth rate by 128% over 12 weeks. But does it live up to the hype? To determine how effective this hair growth device is I used it consistently every day for a month—here's my honest review.
CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet at a glance
- Helmet sizing: Available in small–medium (54–58.9cm) and medium–large (59–63.5cm)
- Body part: Full scalp coverage.
- Wavelengths of light used: Red light (620–660nm)
- Treatment time: 10 minutes per day
- Wireless? Yes
- Charger type: USB
- Tested by: Glamour’s senior audience development manager Lian Brooks
Pros |
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Uses LED lights at clinically proven wavelengths to promote hair growth |
Reduces scalp inflammation which is often linked to hair thinning and shedding |
Noninvasive and painless hair-growth method |
Sits the ideal distance away from the scalp for most effective results |
Wireless and hands-free, so convenient to integrate into daily routine |
Built-in headphones so users can listen to music or podcasts during sessions |
Soft silicone cushioning makes it comfortable to wear |
Cons |
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Too bulky to travel with or store easily |
Costly, though includes a 16-week money back guarantee |
Users need to be consistent to see results: 10 minutes each day for 16 weeks |
Can pull out hair during helmet removal if strands get caught in headphone mechanism |
How I tested CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet
We’ve been testing red-light therapy devices for the last five years at Glamour, evaluating them based on how they lived up to their claims such as “increasing hair growth” and “noticeably [thickening] hair” as well how many wavelengths they emit, how comfortable they are, their value for money, and any extra accessories that come with the product.
To test the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet, I wore it every day for 10 minutes over a period of four weeks. Because of how easy I found it to integrate this into my day-to-day (arguably more so than an LED mask because I didn't have to remove any make-up beforehand), I can confidently say that I’ll continue to keep this up for the foreseeable future, so watch this space for long-term updates!
Meet the experts:
Laurence Newman | Founder of CurrentBody |
Adeline Kikam, DO, Msc, FAAD (a.k.a. Brown Skin Derm) | US board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist, and founder of Skinclusive Dermatology |
Tom Smith | Hair expert and CurrentBody ambassador |
About CurrentBody
If you’re a beauty fanatic, you’ve no doubt already heard of CurrentBody, with celebrity fans including the likes of Kim Kardashian and Halle Berry, and the CurrentBody LED Face Mask even having made an appearance in Emily in Paris season three.
For the uninitiated, though, CurrentBody has been adapting key aesthetic technologies typically reserved for clinic settings into safe and accessible at-home devices for over 15 years. With products that range from general red-light therapy devices to laser hair-removal devices as well as sauna blankets, makeup mirrors, and hair-loss treatment devices such as this, the brand hopes to “[educate] skin care enthusiasts on the benefits of adding beauty tech to their routines,” namely its ability to “go deeper than the surface of the skin” in a way that a topical product simply can’t.
CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet: Product deep dive
A helmet that grows your hair sounds great in theory, but how does it actually work and what’s the science behind it? Well, the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet uses 120 red LED lights at clinically proven wavelengths around 630 to 660 nanometers to distribute low-level light therapy across the whole scalp.
Light therapy works by stimulating hair follicles at a cellular level, with the light energising cells within the hair follicle through increasing cellular energy production.
CurrentBody CEO and cofounder Laurence Newman explains this process “helps extend the growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle, revives dormant follicles, and can improve blood circulation to the scalp, delivering more oxygen and nutrients. The process also reduces inflammation in the scalp, which is often linked to thinning and shedding. Over time, these effects can lead to thicker, fuller hair and a reduction in hair loss.”
In terms of how long it takes to see results, hair expert Tom Smith says, “Hair growth is a slow and gradual process, so daily use is required for it to really work. Long-term results can be seen around the 16-week mark, when you’ll notice that the hair is growing healthier and thicker. I have seen direct results on various clients who have been using it regularly.”
Beyond hair growth, though, the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet can also help soothe scalp inflammation for those with particularly sensitive skin; some users note “an overall improvement in scalp health and reduced shedding, which can be encouraging even before regrowth becomes visible,” Newman says.
What’s included in the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet box?
- LED Hair Growth Helmet
- Protective noncharging base
- USB charging cable (no charger block)
- User manual
CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet: Unboxing & design
The CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet is packaged in a sleek white box that opens from its center, holding the helmet covered in a protective wrap.
Soft silicone cushions feature from the helmet’s bridge through to the very back to enhance comfort and establish a consistent distance from the scalp for optimum coverage, while the helmet is available in two sizes: small–medium and medium–large, allowing for a better fit depending on your head size.
When not in use, the helmet rests on its noncharging base, while a USB charging cable is included in the box. There’s no getting around the fact that this is a bulkier bit of kit, though I really appreciated the base that the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet comes with, meaning if it’s plugged in anyway then you never really have a need to think about recharging it. For the times that it does need to be recharged, though, the helmet lets you know with a beep, with a full recharge typically taking between 2.5 and 3 hours to complete.
To start up the product, the helmet conveniently has one button on the right ear that you press to turn on, with the device automatically switching off after the recommended treatment time of 10 minutes; a timer counts down the remaining treatment time on the same side.
One of the best things about the helmet is that it’s wireless, noninvasive, and pain-free. The fact that I could wear this around my house while doing chores meant that it was effortless to slot into my daily routine, with the device even featuring built-in Bluetooth headphones to keep you entertained during the 10-minute treatment process.
If you’re anything like me, overcomplicated tech or an app that needs to be downloaded alongside a product can make you quickly disengage, which is why I love how simple and straightforward the design is. The fact that you only need to press one button to get started is a huge win in my book, meaning that even someone who doesn’t deem themselves a beauty pro could easily figure out how to use this without a need to trawl through a manual (though should you wish to, one is of course included with your helmet).
When you turn on the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet for the first time, you simply connect to the CurrentBody Bluetooth on your phone, though once you’ve done this, it will automatically reconnect just as any other pair of headphones would do.
Newman explains, “To maximise results, it’s important to use the helmet consistently on clean, dry hair. Using it on a product-free scalp allows for better light penetration.”
Progress can also be accelerated when used in conjunction with other treatments, such as minoxidil, finasteride, or scalp microneedling which can enhance absorption. He adds, “Taking a high-quality hair supplement or maintaining a nutrient-rich diet with sufficient protein, iron, and biotin can also support growth from the inside out. Lastly, documenting your progress with photos every few weeks can help you track changes that might otherwise go unnoticed day-to-day.”
Likewise, consistency is key with the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet, so to help you make it part of your daily routine, Smith says, “I recommend plugging it in next to the kettle because you need to use it for 10 minutes every day and you can pop it on when you're making your morning coffee. Alternatively plug it in near the TV and catch up on your favourite episode. Or on your bedside table when you’re starting your day, or winding down at night, it can be the first or the last thing that you do. Figuring out how best to fit it into your routine will ensure consistency.”
CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet: The science
Stay with me, because unsurprisingly this can get technical relatively quickly.
The CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet features 120 red LED lights at 630 to 660 nanometers that deliver low-level light therapy across the entire scalp.
Board-certified dermatologist Adeline Kikam, DO, Msc, FAAD explains, “Red and near-infrared wavelengths in the 600-to-670-nanometer range promote hair growth because they are able to penetrate the scalp and are absorbed by the follicular mitochondria. This action boosts cellular energy, which promotes blood flow to the root of the hair follicle and in turn provides nutrients that hair needs to thrive. It also reduces inflammation that tends to hinder hair growth, and lastly, extends the growth phase of hair follicles by increasing hair density.”
CurrentBody’s Newman echoes this, saying, “LEDs can cover a broad surface area, ensuring even exposure to all regions. The red light stimulates the hair follicles by boosting blood flow, improving oxygenation, and enhancing cellular activity. This helps hair follicles stay active longer and supports the regrowth of hair in areas affected by pattern hair loss.”
Gradually this leads to thicker, fuller hair and a reduction in hair loss, as the growth phase of the hair cycle is extended and previously dormant follicles are reactivated, while also helping aid the scalp's blood circulation and reducing inflammation which relates to thinning and shedding.
Dr. Kikam adds that light therapy for the scalp “reduces inflammation and DHT levels around the hair follicles, which is especially great for folks with androgenic alopecia,” while beyond its hair-growth benefits, it can “improve flakiness and hair shedding.”
Is the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet FDA-approved?
Yes, the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet is FDA-cleared, with independent clinical trials
How often can you use the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet?
Newman recommends using the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet for 10 minutes per day, everyday, for at least 16 weeks in order to see results. Consistency is key, so making the helmet part of your daily routine is your quickest route to success.
How quickly will I see results?
Newman explains, “Most users begin to see noticeable improvements in hair density and regrowth in 8 to 16 weeks, although some may notice subtle signs—like new baby hairs or less hair fall—as early as 3 to 4 weeks,"
He adds, “After the initial treatment phase, many users shift to a maintenance routine of a few sessions per week to sustain results. Consistency is key—missing days or stopping too soon can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.”
Before & After Pics: Does the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet really work?
After testing the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet for four weeks, the main thing I’ve noticed is much less hair fallout generally. The hair around my parting area in particular seems fuller and shinier overall, while friends not aware that I’m testing the product have actively commented on how healthy my hair looks.
After exposing my scalp to the elements on a sunny holiday, I also noticed much less flakiness when I returned despite having neglected wearing head protection most days, a welcome benefit no doubt due to the fact that the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet supports scalp health.
Of course, everyone’s hair is different, though I have naturally fine hair and am using the helmet alongside Hair + Me minoxidil and several other hair supplements, which can also help improve your results when used in tandem.
It’s recommended to use the helmet for at least 16 weeks in order to see results, so watch this space as I’ll be checking back in with my progress and findings when I hit the four-month mark.
Being consistent in your use is essential in order to see meaningful results—your hair won’t transform overnight, though if your scalp reacts in the same way as mine, then you can expect less shedding in the first few weeks, which will help prevent further hair loss.
Dr. Kikam explains, “Clinical trials of LED therapy for hair loss typically run for 12 to 24 weeks with noticeable improvements, such as reduced shedding and thicker strands, emerging in 12 to 16 weeks and more robust results at about 24 weeks.”
Over time, the low-level light therapy (LLLT) effect of extending the hair cycle’s growth phase leads to thicker, fuller hair, reduced scalp inflammation, and in turn less shedding and thinning. While it’s worth bearing in mind that results will vary from person to person due to different hair structures and growth rates, CurrentBody has some compelling before-and-afters on their site.
Overall, I loved how easy this was to integrate into my daily routine, and beyond the occasional hair getting caught when removing the hemet, the device itself was very comfortable to wear. Though it’s a bulkier bit of tech that isn’t exactly travel-friendly, realistically you don’t need to travel with this device long-term. And because of how seamless this is to work into your day, I do think it’s worth the investment as you’ll get regular use out of it.
Ultimately, it feels like another low-lift way of supporting my scalp health, complementing my hair supplements and oiling, so in my opinion the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet is worth it. And frankly, with a four-month money-back guarantee, why wouldn’t you at least try it?