The best red-light therapy devices for hair growth can help address a number of issues, particularly this time of year. As the days get shorter and fall creeps in, many people notice more hair pooling by their shower drain. That’s because seasonal shedding is a real phenomenon backed by research. So whether it’s the time of year, stress, postpartum hair loss, or age-related thinning, dermatologists say these devices can stimulate follicles, improve circulation, and extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, leading to thicker strands and increased hair density over time. They deliver low-level red light (typically 630–660 nanometers) to the scalp, and and it helps that some are easy to wear or to use as a brush.
Since our last update in July, we’ve tested two more devices, including another helmet and a sleeker baseball cap–style device. Our top pick remains the Current Body LED Hair Growth Helmet, since it covers the whole head, fits comfortably, and uses FDA-cleared technology that multiple testers told Glamour truly made a difference in hair fullness.
But if you’re looking for another top-rated red-light therapy device for healthy hair—like one that also emits blue light or a more budget-friendly red-light brush—there are plenty of other great options for home use to incorporate into your hair and skin care routine this season.
The best red-light therapy devices for hair growth, at a glance
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How we tested
Here at Glamour, we’ve been diligently testing red-light therapy devices for almost two years, focusing not just on face masks for skin care benefits but also on gadgets specifically designed to promote hair growth. We’re always on the lookout for the latest and greatest, and during this time, our editors have tried more than a dozen red-light therapy devices for hair growth, including helmets, hats, and brushes.
We evaluate each one for comfort, ease of use, and effectiveness, paying special attention to practical details, like session length, portability, fit, and how well the device integrates into a busy daily routine, as well as the science behind the technology. This hands-on approach allows us to provide honest, real-world feedback so you can make an informed decision before investing in a device—often a few hundred dollars or more.
Best Overall: CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet
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- What we love: Full scalp coverage; hands-free design
- What could improve: Hard to store
This helmet-style device from CurrentBody stood out in testing for its smart, user-friendly design and full-coverage LED treatment. Unlike more targeted tools, it saturates the entire scalp in 660 nm red light—wavelengths known to stimulate follicles, improve circulation, and encourage stronger, thicker hair over time.
Despite the bulkier helmet shape, it’s surprisingly easy and convenient to use, thanks to its hands-free design, ergonomic fit, and soft silicone lining. Even the full 10-minute sessions felt manageable, since I could walk around and multitask without any slipping or shifting. After a month of consistent use, I’ve noticed a slight boost in hair density and even an improvement in my scalp’s overall health. It doesn’t get oily as quickly, and I’ve had fewer bumps and clogged follicles than normal. While the progress is subtle so far, it feels promising—especially after just a few weeks.
Best Brush: Solaris Laboratories NY Intensive LED Therapy Brush
- What we love: Includes both red and blue LED therapy; lightweight and compact; travel-friendly
- What could improve: Can only be used on dry hair
While red light tends to get all the attention when it comes to hair growth, blue light plays a valuable supporting role—especially if you’re dealing with scalp irritation, excess oil, or product buildup. This LED brush combines both wavelengths plus gentle sonic vibration, helping to stimulate the scalp while also calming it, thus creating a healthier environment for hair to grow.
“The blue-light technology on this one was really soothing,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “After a few uses, my scalp felt and looked pretty calm and irritant-free.” The thick, widely spaced prongs help the light reach the scalp more effectively, and the design makes it easy to move around your head. “I like that it’s lightweight and the prongs were thick, making it easy to get in between hairs and all parts of the scalp,” says Kilkeary. “My hair itself looks a little thicker at the root, and I can definitely see myself reaching for this again when I want a little extra oomph.”
Best Hair Band: Hairmax LaserBand 41 ComfortFlex Hair Growth Device
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- What we love: Best laser hair-growth device; hands-free use makes multitasking easy; quick treatment time
- What could improve: A bit bulky overall
This headband-style device uses 41 medical-grade lasers to target thinning areas at the root—without tying up your hands. Each treatment cycle lasts just 30 seconds per section, and a gentle vibration signals when it’s time to reposition. Built-in combs help part your hair, allowing the light to better reach your scalp.
“The Hairmax LaserBand is very comfortable to wear and incredibly easy to incorporate into a routine. I found myself wearing it while doing my makeup in the morning,” says Glamour tester Caitlin Wormser, noting it stayed firmly in place, even while she moved around. “Like all red-light therapy, patience and consistency are key, but I’m very excited to see how results shape up over time.”
Best Handheld: Foreo FAQ 301 LED Hair Strengthening Scalp Massager
- What we love: Compact and cordless; waterproof; quick treatment time
- What could improve: Using the included serum may make hair a bit greasy
Whether you’re noticing more hair in the shower drain or just want to treat your scalp to some extra TLC, this compact, waterproof device is a multitasking powerhouse. It combines red LED light therapy with Foreo’s signature T-Sonic pulsations to help boost circulation, clear buildup, and improve the absorption of scalp serums or hair oils. It’s completely cordless and rechargeable, and its ergonomic design makes it easy to use.
“I’d never tried a red-light tool on my scalp before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “But I ended up really liking the experience. It has a powerful vibration that’s almost like a massage for your scalp. You can make it a little more or less intense as you please. The red light is super bright and feels warm upon contact,” she says, noting it was gentle enough not to irritate. “I haven’t noticed a huge difference yet, though my hair is a little bit thicker around my crown and I am seeing some new hair growth.”
Best Hat: HigherDose Red Light Hat
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- What we love: Quick treatment time; cordless design; lightweight and comfortable; more discreet than other options
- What could improve: Battery pack is a bit bulky
Designed to be worn like a regular baseball cap, the HigherDose Red Light Hat offers a discreet and comfortable way to incorporate red-light therapy into your daily routine. It combines 120 medical-grade LED diodes emitting 650nm red light (toward the higher end of the normal range) to stimulate hair follicles and support scalp health. The cordless design and short 10-minute session mean you can wear it while going about your day, making it easier to actually fit the treatment into your routine—key for success.
“I was a little skeptical about this hat at first—only because I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to conceal the red light radiating from my head when out and about. A few successful errands by my apartment later, I was actually impressed at how discreet it is. To use this one, you clip the little power bank onto the back of the hat (it clicks in quickly thanks to the magnetic clasp). This turns on your red light and keeps it going strong till the end of your wear. I’ve used this on and off for a couple weeks now, and while I haven’t seen a massive difference in my hair density, I have seen a few baby hairs start to crop up at the front of my scalp. More time will tell on how well this one works, but if you want something hands-free that doesn’t look like you’re about to blast off into outer space, this is the one,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for Hair Health: Laduora Duo 4-in-1 Pod Based Scalp & Hair Care Device
- What we love: Combines four technologies; pairs with pod-based serums for targeted scalp and hair treatments; easy to use; pods are recyclable
- What could improve: Pods require ongoing purchases
Red-light therapy is just one part of what makes the Laduora Duo stand out. This sleek wand-style tool also combines microcurrent, sonic vibration, and heat therapy to elevate your scalp and hair care routine. It’s also designed to work alongside pod-based hair serums that can be inserted into the brush and massaged into the scalp. The brand offers three formulas, including pH-balancing and strengthening options so you can tailor your treatment to your specific hair goals.
Despite all the tech packed inside, the device is surprisingly intuitive to use. I especially liked the microcurrent feature, which delivered a noticeable—but not at all uncomfortable—tingle that almost felt like someone gently scratching my scalp. After using it several times a week for three weeks, I was impressed by the overall improvement in my hair’s health. While I didn’t see a major change in density, my hair looked shinier and smoother (especially as it recovered from heat damage) and I noticed less shedding in the shower.
Others we tested
iRestore Essential Helmet
- What we love: Lightweight design for a helmet; easy to use; automatically shuts off
- What could improve: Has to be plugged in
The iRestore Essential Helmet combines 120 lasers and LEDs to stimulate follicles and encourage healthier hair over time. According to the brand, most users notice a slowing of hair loss within three to six months, with maximum hair count expected in 12 to 24 months. The helmet is noticeably lighter and sits a bit looser on the head than our top overall pick, making it a bit more comfortable for longer sessions. It does need to be plugged in for the full 25-minute treatment, which limits mobility, but it comes at about half the price.
I’ve been testing this helmet for two weeks now, and appreciate the lighter design. It’s comfortable during use, plus a bit easier to store. On the downside the longer session time is a little restrictive, especially since you need to stay tethered to the wall, but the power cord is long enough to afford some flexibility. The remote, which hangs from the power cord, is very easy to use: Simply turn it on and then press start or pause if you need to step away for a moment. There’s also a countdown timer, so you always know where you are in the session, and when the treatment is done, you’ll hear a long beep before the unit automatically shuts off.
Skin Gym LED Stimulating Hair Brush
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- What we love: Equipped with both blue and red light; lightweight and compact; vibration adds a soothing element
- What could improve: Vibration feature is a bit loud and can’t be shut off
It’s shaped like a classic paddle brush, but instead of focusing on detangling, it delivers red and blue LED light directly to the scalp. The wide-tooth design helps part the hair so the light can actually reach your skin, while the firm plastic bristles offer a subtle massaging effect to further stimulate circulation.
During testing, I was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight and compact it is—it’s definitely cute enough to leave out on your counter or vanity. I also appreciated how easy it is to use: Just long-press the power button to turn it on, then press again to toggle between red and blue light depending on your needs. The wide-tooth design glided through my long hair effortlessly, and the vibration made the whole experience more soothing. That said, this feature does make the device a bit loud during use.
Frequently asked questions
Can red-light therapy help hair growth?
Clinical studies suggest that red-light therapy at wavelengths of 650 nanometers (nm) can support hair growth for some people. Here’s how it works: It uses low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or LED light, to stimulate the hair follicles, increase blood flow, and energize cells in the scalp. This process, called photobiomodulation, may help promote thicker, stronger hair over time.
“LLLT stimulates follicle cell metabolism by increasing ATP production, reduces inflammation, and helps prolong the hair-growth phase,” says Alan Bauman, MD, a board-certified hair-restoration physician at Bauman Medical. “It’s well supported by research and is one of the most effective non-invasive tools for hair regrowth.”
Clinical trials have shown promising results for people with androgenetic alopecia (sometimes referred to as androgenic alopecia), which is thinning hair that affects 60% to 70% of the adult population worldwide. Low-level light therapy may also be an effective treatment for autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata, postpartum shedding, and general male and female pattern hair loss. That said, results can vary, and consistency is key—you’ll need to use an LED device regularly for several months to see noticeable improvement.
Is there a specific wavelength for red-light therapy for hair growth?
The most commonly studied and effective wavelengths for hair growth fall between 630 and 680 nm, says board-certified dermatologist David Johnson, MD, cofounder of RedliteX. “That is the type of red light that penetrates just deep in your scalp to activate the root hair follicle cells but doesn’t do any harm.”
Some red-light therapy hair loss treatments also incorporate blue-light-emitting diodes (around 415 nm), which may help target bacteria and improve scalp health—especially for those dealing with buildup, oiliness, or irritation.
How long does red light take to grow hair?
You generally need to use red-light therapy consistently for three to four months to see noticeable results, says Dr. Johnson. Some people may see early signs like reduced shedding or slightly thicker strands within the first couple of months, but visible regrowth (especially along the hairline or the crown) can take longer. “That’s due to the cycles of the hair—they don’t go immediately into the ‘growth phase.’ The follicle must be ready,” says Dr. Johnson, who recommends using red-light therapy “three to four times weekly for 10- to 15-minute treatments.”
Are there any side effects to red-light therapy for hair growth?
Health care professionals say at-home red-light treatment is generally safe for all skin types and types of hair loss, especially when used as directed with devices cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. Unlike medications like topical minoxidil or finasteride, heat-based laser treatments, or even hair transplants, red-light therapy is noninvasive—and side effects are rare. “Some people feel a little warmth on their scalp. A few may get slight redness, but it goes away quickly. No pain, no peeling, and nothing harmful,” says Dr. Johnson.
Of course, you should always follow manufacturer instructions and consult your doctor if you have any underlying skin or scalp conditions and are concerned about the effects of red light.
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