The 6 Best Red Light Therapy Devices for Hair Growth, According to Beauty Experts

ProsWinner of a 2024 Women’s Health Beauty AwardAvailable in two sizes: Small (21.3-23.2 inches) and Medium (23.3-25 inches) and comfortable to wearFDA-cleared and dermatologist-recommendedBluetooth connectivity so you can listen to music during your treatmentConsToo bulky for travelingAfter surveying experts and testing red light therapy tools, I consider the CurrentBody Skin LED Hair Growth Helmet to be the most impressive device on this list. It deserves the top spot because both Dr. Finney and I are fans of this tool. It's simple and gets the job done quickly compared to other helmets that can easily take 25 minutes per treatment session. (hi iRestore Essential.) With a 10-minute treatment time, CurrentBody Skin makes using this tool a low-maintenance lift in our busy lives. Plus, it won a 2024 Women’s Health Beauty Award, so you know it's on point. Its LEDs fire off wavelengths up to 660 nm—the highest in this lineup—which stimulate hair follicles and promote growth.I already love the CurrentBody Skin's LED face mask and was naturally excited to test the brand's hair-growth helmet. After measuring my head, I selected the correct size—there are Small and Medium options—and waited for the device to arrive. When I unboxed it, I found the setup to be easy. I initially charged it for three hours, and it flashed when it was fully juiced. I like the helmet's structure—it bends slightly without compromising its shape—and the interior features a silicone lining with suction cups for extra stability. Don’t worry: The suction cups don’t rip out my strands. It’s also lightweight and feels comfy throughout each treatment. Plus, CurrentBody sits nicely on my head and offers full scalp coverage.For three months, I used this helmet five times a week, following CurrentBody’s recommended testing window. I noticed less shedding on my hair brush and in my shower, which is fantastic. But it’s worth noting that I’m in my early 30s and, thankfully, still have a full mane of hair, so for me it’s more about preventive care. While I haven’t noticed new growth yet, Dr. Finney’s endorsement is encouraging, and I'm excited about this device helping my hair grow and thicken over time."It has the right wavelengths, a good amount of power, and has little cups that actually part the hair to get more light to the scalp,” says Dr. Finney. I also wanted to share a quick comparison of CurrentBody and reader-favorite devices from iRestore, Laduora, and HigherDose.CurrentBody Skin vs iRestore Helmet: iRestore makes several tiers of red light therapy tools, but I selected the entry-level Essential model because it’s more budget-friendly. Both options cover your scalp, hairline, and crown, but their maintenance requirements vary. The tradeoff is simple: iRestore saves money but requires longer 25-minute treatment sessions at least three times weekly (75 minutes total each week).CurrentBody Skin costs a bit more, but it only requires a shorter 10-minute session, five times weekly (50 minutes total each week). Knowing that our hair growth cycle is half a year, CurrentBody is the winner for me.CurrentBody Skin vs Laduora Brush: Dr. Finney uses both devices. The Laduora targets hair thinning with red light, microcurrent, massage, and vibration. CurrentBody takes the edge because it’s hands-free and covers the entire scalp, whereas brushing your scalp and strands for 10 minutes can be tedious. Plus, CurrentBody has 120 LED bulbs versus Laduora’s 30.CurrentBody Skin vs HigherDose Cap: HigherDose is cheaper and more discreet, but I experienced less shedding with CurrentBody. Choose HigherDose for on-the-go use, affordable price tag, and a limited budget. If you’re willing to invest in a best-in-class device, then CurrentBody is the cream of the crop. More: Best Red Light Therapy Eye MasksTreatment time10 minutesWavelengths620-660 nmTypeHelmetProsFeatures an adjustable strap to accommodate most head sizes and thick and textured hairIt’s cordlessIncludes country-specific adaptors for travelConsOnly available in one colorDr. Spann likes the Capillus laser cap, but even the brand's entry-level model costs upward of $700, so I wanted to explore other alternatives. Enter: the HigherDOSE Red Light Therapy Hat, which is $151 cheaper than Capillus.Beyond the sweet price tag, the biggest win with sporting this red light therapy cap is that no one will know you're actually treating your hair loss while using the device! It looks like a regular black baseball cap, but it has a removable thin lining covered in red light-emitting diodes. It’s so stylish that I can wear this cap without using the LED lights, but TBH, I'd rather just buy a regular baseball cap instead so I won’t have to worry about excessive wear and tear on my HigherDose. And when powered on, the red lights aren't visible to those around me. The LEDs emit 650 nm, hitting the sweet spot to stimulate hair growth.I was initially confused about how to turn on the device because it's cordless. However, I soon realized the included black pod magnetically attaches to the back of the cap and powers on for a quick 10-minute session. When the time is up, the pod beeps when the treatment sesh is over so I can get back to my day.Honestly, the only downside with this cap is that it’s only available in one color, so the neutral black tone won’t complement my colorful vacation wardrobe. That said, I prefer wearing the cap at home, so it’s not a real dealbreaker for me, but it's worth noting if you want to wear your hat regularly in public.HIGHERDOSE RED LIGHT THERAPY REVIEWTreatment time10 minutesTypeCapWavelengths650 nmAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCombines red light therapy with microcurrent, massage, and warmth for the ultimate at-home spa treatCompact, cordless size for home or on the goWorks on damp and dry hairThe bristles don't get stuck in my coily hairConsPods are required for use and add to the long-term costWeighing just seven ounces, the Laduora is a palm-sized powerhouse. The compact brush combines red light therapy and microcurrent with a scalp massage and therapeutic warmth for the ultimate self-care treat. It is fantastic for someone with a limited beauty routine bandwidth, as each treatment sesh is only five minutes.Even a busy MD like Dr. Finney likes Laduora because it multitasks. He says Laduora’s scalp massage and heat reduce oxidative stress, promoting a healthier scalp and less shedding. Laduora’s four modes—red light, massage, warmth, and microcurrent— also address inflammation that causes hair loss.Using the Duo is surprisingly straightforward. Each kit has two pink and two blue circular pods filled with nourishing ingredients (more on that below). The pods simply snap into the center of the device. After I hear a clicking sound indicating the pod is locked into place, I remove the protective cap on the bristles to ensure the serum at the pod's base can be released. Balance is a pink liquid that contains rose, argan, raspberry seed, and castor oil.Boost is a blue-green liquid blend of vitamin B-3 (also called niacinamide), caffeine, peptides, blue tansy, and green tea leaf extract.The brand also launched Awaken, a green liquid that soothes a dry, itchy, and flaky scalp with a trifecta of peppermint, tea tree, and argan oils. You can purchase Awaken separately, and order replacement Balance and Boost pods.I was also worried that the device heating up to 108 degrees Fahrenheit would be overwhelming, but I found the warmth rather relaxing. I also enjoyed the scalp massage functionality because I can feel my light tension headaches start to melt away, so I'll reach for this device when I'm tired or right before my menstrual cycle. If my headaches are rather intense, this tool won't do much, but for lighter tension headaches, it has helped me feel more relaxed. Treatment time5 minutesTypeHair brushWavelengths600 nmProsCan be used cord-freeFlexible designVibrates when it's time to move the device to a new areaConsDoesn't cover the nape of your headAnother device that Dr. Finney likes is the Hairmax Laserband 82 Comfort Flex. He appreciates that it's FDA-cleared and that it has seven clinical studies supporting its efficacy. But what Dr. Finney loves most about this hair growth tool is that its small teeth help direct light to the scalp, where it can deliver major results.This oversized headband covers a sizable amount of hair. Start at the front, where the LEDs emit 655 nm wavelengths to promote hair growth and wait 30 seconds for the device to vibrate, indicating it's time to move to the middle of the head. After another 30 seconds, you can push the headband back for the third and final treatment. While it may seem a little annoying to push the headband around a few times, the overall time commitment is only 90 seconds, so it's more of a champagne problem than a functionality issue. Since it's hands-on, Dr. Finney calls it a little cumbersome, but he still considers it a great device overall.Need further proof that Hairmax is a solid option? Carol Winig, a 70-year-old WH contributor and retired nurse dealing with COVID-related hair loss, gushed over a lower-tier Hairmax headband model last October. "The device is relatively lightweight and comfortable on my head, plus it's really not all that large. I've traveled with it numerous times, without any issue,” she said of the Laserband 41 model. It also holds a charge for a surprisingly long time—I can usually go about three months without having to give it extra juice." Treatment time90 secondsTypeHeadbandWavelengths655 nmAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsHSA/FSA eligible Weighs only 1 poundConsLongest time commitment This Amazon bestseller boasts an impressive 4-star average rating from more than 4,000 reviews. iRestore offers three grades of LED helmets, but I’m spotlighting the entry-level Essential model because it’s more cost-effective without compromising quality. 120 red diodes cover the top of your scalp, hairline, and crown, emitting 655 nm wavelengths—the sweet spot to promote growth. So if your center part naturally widens, this is the red light therapy growth device for you.iRestore is the only featured recommendation that combines red LEDs with red laser diodes, which penetrate deeper to promote faster hair growth, hair restoration physician Dr. Alan Bauman, MD, told our colleagues at Men’s Health. This exact device also earned snaps from dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah, MD, who vouched for the efficacy of iRestore devices to MH.The brand advises using this device every other day for 25 minutes, which is the longest treatment time on this list . However, it is a helmet, so you can just kick back and watch TV, text friends, scroll through TikTok, or even read a book. You also have six months to return this device if you’re unsure of it.And if you’ve got the funds and want to sport a helmet that packs 500 closely-spaced diodes that cover your hairline, top of scalp, temples, and full crown you can splurge on the $2,500 iRestore Elite. (I know, I know, that price is a major jumpscare, but if you can afford it why not treat yourself?)Treatment time25 minutes, every other dayWavelengths655 nmTypeHelmetConsIt’s palm-sized so you’ll have to work in smaller sectionsYou’re probably already familiar with Foreo’s Luna facial cleansing brushes, and likely spotted its red light therapy face and neck masks on your social feeds. But the brand also entered the LED hair growth device market with the palm-sized 302 FAQ. It packs 20 LEDs to strengthen hair, while 20 medical-grade low-level lasers stimulate your hair growth cycle, which promotes longer, fuller strands in androgenetic alopecia. The red LED wavelengths emit 650 nm, which is within the ideal range for hair growth.A quick 4-minute commitment per treatment area makes it easy to incorporate into your routine. Consider pairing this device with your go-to hair growth oil—minoxidil and rosemary—for an extra boost.Covered in 637 soft, silicone bristles, FAQ 302 combines with the brand’s signature T-Sonic massage—gentle sonic vibrations to rub the scalp—loosens product buildup, like dry shampoo, and sweat from exercise. A massage also helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp to help promote hair growth. And since it’s waterproof, the FAQ 302 is super easy to clean up with soap and warm water.The cordless device connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone app that provides additional custom settings. After a few test runs, I found it’s worth the extra effort to use the app. I can turn off the massage function and use only the LED lights, and crank up the red light setting from one to six. Treatment time1 minute per treatment area, 4 minutes dailyTypeBrushWavelengths650 nmNicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site. Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.