How Does Red Light Therapy Work to Regrow Hair?
Hair loss takes a tremendous emotional toll on both men and women. Although some people rock the bald look, it’s not for every guy who suffers from male pattern baldness; and it’s rarely a desirable option for women who suffer from female pattern baldness.
If you’re having poor results or you’re dealing with side effects from common hair restoration treatments for baldness in both men and women, here’s why exploring red light could be a life-changing decision.
Red light therapy for hair loss is backed by scientific research. This completely natural and non-invasive treatment to restore a normal hair growth cycle has shown promise for reversing hair loss without disruptive side effects. Results indicate many benefits for human scalp hair including increased hair density and hair count.
What Is Red Light Therapy for Hair Growth?
Red light is part of the visible light spectrum that makes up part of natural sunlight. Scientists have isolated the effects of each wavelength of visible and invisible light. Of all of the wavelengths studied, red light is mostly widely shown to support positive biological functioning in the human body.
Red light therapy, which is also called low-level light therapy (LLLT), was discovered as a treatment for hair loss during the 1960s – and the discovery was accidental. A Hungarian scientist was conducting experiments with mice and had shaved the creatures’ backs.
After a series of sessions, the scientist was surprised to see fur growing around the shaved areas on the mice, and it was thicker than it had been before. That finding opened up exciting new scientific discoveries about the vast potential of the therapy.
Today, the science has moved forward significantly, and now RLT uses high-power light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs to saturate the body with wavelengths of therapeutic light.
How does it work? In short, our bodies respond to the light in much the same way that plants respond to sunlight: by creating more energy at the cellular level. This sparks a snowball effect of other beneficial biological processes.
What Wavelengths Are Included in Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy includes both red and near- infrared light NIR, which are among the longest of all wavelengths. Red light ranges from 630 nanometers (nm) to 700nm, whereas near infrared light ranges from 700nm to 1100nm. Research has shown that light in the 630nm to 660nm range has the most powerful effects on treating hair loss.
Before starting this type of therapy, be sure to consult with your doctor. This is especially important if you have experienced sudden or dramatic hair falling out, which can signal a serious underlying condition that goes beyond normal male or female hair loss.
It’s also important to talk to your doctor if you are currently taking any photosensitizing medications.
