Is Low-Level Light Therapy Effective for Hair Growth?

Low-level light therapy is a non-invasive treatment for hair growth that uses different light wavelengths to increase blood flow and stimulate hair follicles.

Dr. Richard Chaffoo and Dr. Susan Stuart lead California Hair MD, One of the Top Hair Loss Clinics in the World. Together, they focus on restoring your hair growth. Dr. Stuart is a board-certified dermatologist, sees all female patients, and offers only nonsurgical hair loss treatments. Dr. Chaffoo is America’s Only Triple Board-Certified Hair Transplant Plastic Surgeon, an international guest speaker at numerous meetings on plastic surgery and hair restoration surgery, and is involved in cutting-edge research to develop new treatment options for hair loss. If you are seeking a solution for hair growth, contact us online or call the office nearest you to schedule your personal consultation.

About Low-Level Light Therapy

Low-level light therapy stimulates cellular activity in tissues with a range of wavelengths from red through infrared laser light. ⁽¹⁾ This light therapy promotes tissue repair and regeneration, increases blood flow, and extends the growth phase of the hair cycle, which causes hair follicles to. This treatment is ideal for men and women who are experiencing early-to-moderate hereditary pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). It works best on active, miniaturizing hair follicles, but it cannot stimulate hair growth on completely bald areas.

Can Low-Level Light Therapy Be Effective for Hair Growth?

Low-level light therapy can be effective for hair growth. It is a non-invasive option that exposes the scalp to specific wavelengths of light to boost cellular energy in the hair follicles. By promoting blood circulation and prolonging the growth phase of the hair cycle, patients can achieve thicker and denser-looking scalp coverage. Low-level light therapy is effective only when you are consistently utilizing your treatment device, following a strict schedule, and following healthy post-treatment guidelines. For patients with significant hair loss, a hair transplant and/or combinations with other non-surgical treatments may be more effective.

Benefits

Low-level light therapy works by activating hair follicles and fostering an environment for healthy hair growth. These treatments can:

Candidates

If you are experiencing early-to-moderate hereditary hair loss, have active and living hair follicles, and want a drug-free, minimally invasive alternative to traditional hair restoration treatments, low-level light therapy may be ideal for you. You must be in relatively good health, have realistic expectations for your results, be able to commit to a consistent treatment schedule, and be patient as you treat your hair loss, as it may take a while to see significant improvements.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, you will meet with Dr. Stuart or Dr. Chaffoo, and they will examine your hair loss patterns and scalp health. They will also discuss your previous hair treatments, including any over-the-counter products you have used, as well as explore your hair loss history. You will discuss your treatment goals, and Dr. Chaffoo and Dr. Stuart will address any questions or concerns you may have. They want this meeting to be informative, and you will leave feeling prepared. To explore your hair restoration options, contact us online or call the office nearest you to schedule your appointment.

Preparation

Dr. Stuart and Dr. Chaffoo recommend that you follow certain guidelines to optimize the effects of your low-level light therapy. They may have you:

Procedure

Dr. Stuart or Dr. Chaffoo can provide your low-level light therapy treatment in the office. Here, they will administer gentle beams of light energy to your scalp to stimulate the hair follicles. This treatment can take 30 minutes or longer, depending on the size of the treatment area. Most patients see the best results after multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart. You can also perform your low-level light therapy treatment at home using a laser cap, helmet, or laser comb for targeted spot treatment. This treatment uses red or near-infrared light (typically 630-670 nanometers) to stimulate hair follicles, improve scalp circulation, and encourage thicker hair. To begin your treatment, wash your scalp thoroughly to remove any buildup of oils or hair products and ensure your hair is dry before applying your low-level light device. Next, you will position your cap, helmet, or comb evenly over your scalp, turn the device on, and let it run for 10 to 30 minutes. You will repeat these treatment steps 3–5 times a week, but avoid multiple times a day, as too much light can be counterproductive. ⁽²⁾ To see effective hair growth results, continue this schedule and use your device continuously, as stopping the therapy treatment can disrupt the regrowth effects.

Recovery

Immediately after your session, you may return to your normal daily routine. However, you must take aftercare steps to maximize your hair growth, such as avoiding tight hairstyles or hats that pull on your hair.

During the first 4 weeks, you may notice increased shedding. This is a normal effect—weak and damaged hair sheds to make room for stronger and healthier strands. In weeks 8–12, your hair loss should stabilize, and you will notice a reduction in hair shedding. You may also start to see tiny, fine “baby hairs” sprouting. At 3–4 months, your hair growth will finally begin to show. Thinning areas begin to fill in, and your hair texture will feel stronger and thicker.

Results

After consistent low-level light therapy for several months, you can achieve a 30% to 37% increase in hair density and thickness. ⁽³⁾ You will also notice a reduction in hair shedding, growth stimulation, and the formation of thicker strands that will result in improved overall scalp coverage.

Corresponding Procedures

Eyebrow Transplant

An eyebrow transplant is a surgical procedure that involves taking hair follicles from the scalp and implanting them into the eyebrows to create fuller-looking eyebrows. This is an ideal solution if you are experiencing thinning or overplucked eyebrows and want to achieve symmetry.

PRP Hair Restoration with ECM

PRP hair restoration with ECM is an effective way to address hair loss due to aging, stress, diet, and other lifestyle factors. PRP uses growth factors in your own blood to enhance scalp health and improve hair growth with long-lasting results.

FUT Hair Transplant

An FUT hair transplant is a surgical procedure that removes a strip of healthy hair from the back of the scalp, carefully dissects the individual follicles, and then places them into areas of thinning or shedding. This procedure is ideal if you are experiencing balding spots and want optimal follicle repositioning and depth. This transplant offers permanent hair restoration, as your own hair follicles carry genetic resistance and continue to grow for a lifetime.

Cost of Low-Level Light Therapy in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego

The cost of your low-level light therapy depends on the extent of your hair loss, your personal goals, how long your therapy lasts, and more. Dr. Stuart or Dr. Chaffoo will provide a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation and address any lingering questions or concerns you may have. Call one of our offices directly or contact us online to explore the cost of your low-level light therapy.

FAQ

References

1. Pillai J, Mysore V. Role of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2021;14(4):385. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jcas.jcas_218_20
2. What’s the deal with red light therapy? News Center. Published 2025. https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/02/red-light-therapy-skin-hair-medical-clinics.html
3. Lanzafame RJ, Blanche RR, Chiacchierini RP, Kazmirek ER, Sklar JA. The growth of human scalp hair in females using visible red light laser and LED sources. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2014;46(8):601-607. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.22277