This red light helmet helped me break up with extensions and grow healthy hair

For years, I just accepted the fact that my hair would never look healthy. It was thin, it broke easily, and it never seemed to grow past a certain length. That was until I began what I call my ‘hair journey’ and discovered CurrentBody’s red light helmet. Although this wellness device makes me look like I’m about to either jump on a motorcycle and speed away or possibly headline a Daft Punk concert, this is a small daily price to pay for great hair that earns me daily compliments. I mistreated my hair for many years, bleaching it, scrunching it into messy buns and using far too much heat on it. And when this treatment inevitably cost me thickness, length and shine, I opted for extensions. Several inches of hair attached by glue bonds and copper fixtures, swishing in the likeness of healthy glossy hair while putting strain on my scalp and only masking the problem. So I decided to begin my ‘hair journey’. I was sceptical of red light in the beginning but was convinced by several skin and hair experts and longevity specialists. Trichologist Izabella Bordignon explains that red light works through a process called photobiomodulation. “The light is absorbed by a chromophore within the cells called cytochrome c oxidase, which is involved in mitochondrial activity and cellular energy production. This can increase ATP, the energy our cells use to function, while also promoting vasodilation and supporting processes such as cell proliferation and migration. “In the scalp, these effects can help create a more favourable environment for follicular activity and hair growth. Red light also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can be particularly relevant because inflammation can play a role in several scalp and hair-loss conditions,” she says. How I tested I’ve used the helmet every day for several months Emilie Lavinia/The StandardI used the helmet every day for several months, wearing it for the recommended time every day. Each morning I’d measure my hair, inspect my scalp and make a note of my progress. I’ve used other red light devices so I judged this device on the red light bulb placement, irradiance, the fit on my head and additional special features and compared it with the other devices I’ve used. CurrentBody skin LED hair regrowth device CurrentBody★★★★★What we love: Helped me grow six inches of healthy hair in just a couple of months, built-in headphones, relatively comfortable and easy to wear, with noticeable benefits to the appearence of hairTake note: Fine hair can snag on the helmet, making it painful to remove; it’s expensive, and it doesn’t work wonders in isolation Having used red light face masks and climbed into full-body red light chambers, once I was on board with the concept of red light as a healing technology, I was keen to see if it could help repair my hair. It’s also worth saying that I didn’t use the helmet in isolation. My ‘hair journey’ has also involved a healthy diet, eating well, taking specific supplements, giving up alcohol and trying to get quality sleep, along with changing the products I use on my hair and washing it more often. However, having used a different red light hair device in tandem with all this and not seen the same results, the CurrentBody helmet stood out to me. In February, I had about six inches of hair cut off. Hair typically grows six inches in a year, and I have to admit, I was disappointed to lose so much when I’d spent so long trying to grow it. Since then, my hair has grown back rapidly and looks thick and shiny. The six inches were back within a few months, and I put that down to wearing the helmet every day. CurrentBody claims that the device increases hair count by 33 per cent in 16 weeks and hair growth rate by 128 per cent in 12 weeks, and while I’m usually sceptical of studies carried out by brands rather than third parties, these results do seem to check out based on what I experienced.The helmet itself comes in two sizes, and I went for the smaller size. Inside are 120 evenly-spaced red light LEDs that use a mix of 620nm and 660nm wavelengths for full-scalp coverage. Bordignon explains that this is the clinically proven range to look out for, but that “wavelength is only one factor; power, exposure time and treatment frequency also influence the response.”She says when it comes to red light devices, the manufacturer should always clearly state the wavelength, power or irradiance, treatment time and recommended frequency, as these parameters all influence photobiomodulation. This is an important point. I wouldn’t just pop a string of Christmas lights on my head and hope for the best, so knowing the CurrentBody helmet is a regulated FDA-approved device with clearly defined treatment parameters and clinical data behind it means I was willing to try it. The device comes in two sizes Emilie Lavinia/The Standard Inside the helmet there are also several small plastic suckers which allow the LEDs close proximity to your head – the closer your skin is to red light the more effective it is – without being uncomfortable. The irony of this is that if you have a lot of fine hair, as I do, you’re guaranteed to get it caught on these little suckers – this can be a little painful when you try to remove the helmet. The device also comes with built-in headphones. This seemed like an odd choice for me but came in handy when I wanted to move around, listen to a podcast or speak on the phone hands-free. The headphones, which have large cushioned pads, automatically connect to Bluetooth and play whatever you’re listening to from your phone. Lying down in the helmet isn’t particularly comfortable, but it scores highly for being practical on the go.Charging is very easy, taking about two hours with a simple USBC connector, and the on/off button is a simple press and release button. The device holds its charge remarkably well, and I was able to use it for several weeks without needing to charge it. The recommended use time is ten minutes, so I stuck with this diligently at the start of every day. Consistency is key with red light; you simply won’t see the same results if you use it sporadically.Though my hair is fine, I don’t have any serious scalp or hair growth issues, which meant my hair responded very well to the red light combined with healthy lifestyle habits. I doubted whether it was possible to grow long, healthy-looking hair quickly, but within five months I had grown six inches of shiny hair that looked exactly like the extensions I used to wear. There also seemed to be a lot of growth around the edges of my hairline and at the tops of my eyebrows where the helmet covered my forehead – a bonus, I thought. Light Modes: Red between 620 and 660nm Treatment Time: 10 minutes Materials: PlasticWireless: YesIs the CurrentBody red light helmet worth it? In my view, the helmet is a great bit of kit – a wellness device that genuinely seems to deliver on the promises it makes. It uses clinical data to inform the fabrication and recommended wear time, and it’s relatively comfortable and easy to wear, bar a few snags. The brand recommends using it on a clean scalp, so I stuck to this as well as I could and didn’t use it with much product or hair oil on my scalp. However, I did stick to my usual hair oiling routine, using oil on my hair and scalp once a week, which has definitely helped the health of my hair too. It’s by no means a cheap item, so considering whether it might work well for you is key. Personally, I was impressed and noticed a visible difference, but as Bordignon points out, it’s important to know what’s causing scalp problems or hair loss before you invest in a tool like this. “Our hair can change throughout our lives, particularly during times of stress or when the body is directing its resources elsewhere. The goal is to understand when a change is temporary and when it needs professional attention,” she says.My hair was damaged, and I wasn’t taking care of my scalp or practising habits that boosted healthy cell turnover – in this instance, red light can certainly help. But it’s always worth speaking with an expert for advice on the best protocol for you. Why trust me? I’ve been reporting on health and wellbeing for a decade, testing wellness products and making sense of the latest research. I’ve tried every trend, technology and fresh piece of advice from leading experts on how to improve health outcomes, boost energy and chase a natural glow. I can spot a red flag a mile away and do the hard work of poring over studies so you don’t have to.