If you’re looking for ways to treat thinning hair, you may have heard about laser hats. Some, like the Capillus laser cap, look like a regular baseball hat until you look underneath and see rows of red lights.
So, how does light therapy work to regrow hair? Let’s take a look.
Hair loss
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What is a hair growth cap?
A number of companies sell hair growth caps that claim to regrow hair and reduce the progression of hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia.
This type of hereditary hair loss is also known as pattern baldness, which affects both men and women. Several hair regrowth devices like the Capillus laser cap have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat this type of hair loss.
A form of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), products like the Capillus stimulate hair follicles to produce thicker and fuller hair. If you’re having trouble picturing them, laser hats have dome inserts with rows of lights. For instance, the CapillusPro has 272 red laser diodes (LDs), while others use LDs mixed with LED lights (Lueangarun, 2021).
How does light trigger hair growth?
Studies suggest that red to infrared light may activate hair follicle cells. This can trigger hair growth, shifting hairs from a resting phase to the growth phase. LLLTs may also make hair thicker and decrease shedding, potentially improving the appearance of hair loss (Pillai, 2021).
Benefits of laser caps
Many studiespotential benefits
Another study by the same research team found similar results in women with pattern baldness, though it’s important to note the studies were funded by a company promoting LLLT use (Lanzafame, 2014).
One study of women with female pattern hair loss found using a previous Capillus product (Handi-Dome Laser) for 30 minutes every other day led to a 51% increase in the number of hairs after 17 weeks (Egger, 2020).
A recent study that reviewed decades of research found that LLLT may be effective for pattern hair loss, but additional long-term studies and comparisons between devices are needed (Lueangarun, 2021).
Do hair growth caps work?
Laser hair removal practitionershair follicles
Research suggests that laser technology may promote hair growth. Generally, it takes three months to a year to see new hair or changes to your hairline. That said, what works for some doesn’t work for everyone. Consumer reviews of these products are often mixed.
Manufacturers note that LLLT works best in people with androgenic alopecia who are just starting to notice thinning. Capillus and other brands may not be as helpful in cases of complete baldness where there are no follicles to stimulate (Pillai, 2021).
The primary side effect of LLLT is initial hair shedding. This may seem alarming, but hair shedding is expected at the beginning since these devices push out hairs to allow for more growth.
Initial hair thinning usually tapers off with new hair growth. A review of studies found no major side effects and minor reactions like itching, scalp tenderness, or irritation (Egger, 2020).
The Capillus laser cap is a dome insert that can fit under most baseball caps. If you're trying it for the first time to treat hair loss, here are the basic instructions (Capillus, 2022):
Charge the device (for portable use)
Place the dome on the head underneath the provided cap or another hat (if desired)
Press and hold the power button to start treatment
Lights turn off automatically after the programmed time
Repeat each day for six minutes (newer, continuous-wave models)
As with other laser therapy devices, avoid staring into laser lights. The lights may also turn off if the device isn’t correctly positioned on your head. If you have cancerous lesions on your head, avoid using LLLT devices like Capillus laser therapy as the impact of red light isn’t fully known (Hamblin, 2018).
Capillus offers three models that vary in cost (Capillus, 2022):
CapillusOne, $1,099
CapillusPlus, $1,999
CapillusPro, $2,999
The physical difference between models is the number of laser diodes (112, 202, or 272) with energy outputs ranging from 410–1,360 mW. All models feature device inserts that can fit into a variety of caps, plus a battery pack for portability.
In general, LLLT may be a viable, non-surgical treatment for restoring hair loss caused by alopecia. When searching for a product, look for one FDA-approved for hair loss.
For optimal results, LLLT is often combined with other hair loss treatment options like microneedling or medication. Talk to a healthcare professional who can help create a treatment plan that works for you (Gentile, 2020).
