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

Hair loss is not always dramatic. It can be gradual. You start to notice a little more scalp in bright bathroom lighting; a little baldness when you tie your hair in a ponytail. The shower drain is more clogged than usual. Not so long ago, hair loss treatments meant topical remedies, supplements, or a flight to Turkey. Fortunately, red light therapy brings the potential of hair regrowth into your home – no clinic appointment required.

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

To determine the best red light therapy for hair growth, I tapped three WIRED tech reviewers who have experienced hair loss themselves. We evaluated red light therapy caps, hands-free full-scalp headsets, and low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation devices for 16 weeks. Along the way, we reviewed the research, spoke with dermatologists, and tracked ease of use. These are the favorites that have produced significant results and earned our trust.

Don’t forget 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

The CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet is a portable, wireless, Bluetooth-enabled device aimed at improving hair density, thickness and overall condition. Each panel of the headset features 12 red lights (120 total), which span a spectrum of 620 to 660 nanometers (nm). 620nm red light helps improve scalp health by promoting circulation, and 660nm red light penetrates deeper, reaching the epidermis and dermis down to the hypodermis, where it stimulates growth and repair at the root of the follicle. According to CurrentBody, you only need to use the device 10 minutes a day and you will see results within 12 weeks.

My hair grows slowly. I got a pixie cut in the spring of 2011 and my hair didn’t reach my shoulders until late 2013. My hair is also very thin. It tangles easily and breaks often (my ends are chronically dry and split ends). After 12 weeks, I didn’t notice a huge difference in length (and I had my hair cut halfway through testing), but I did notice that my hair seemed to be sprouting new follicles along my scalp and sideburns in particular. I started seeing little baby hairs along my hairline that I had never seen before. My stylist commented that my hair was thicker and I noticed less breakage and hair getting stuck in the bristles when brushing. My bald roommate also tested it (but not daily like me) and said his hair was thicker and there was new growth around the scalp.

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

My only complaints are that the earmuffs aren’t the easiest to adjust when I’m wearing them and often pull my hair out while I’m removing or adjusting the headset. Nevertheless, it is the best red light therapy for hair growth. Wait, I’ll look like Fabio on the cover of a romance novel next year. See the full review here. —Molly Higgins