Aside from hair growth serums, supplements, and monitoring my health with my doctor, red light therapy became an essential part of my nightly regimen. Back in May, I started using my HigherDose baseball cap most nights—I’d be bluffing if I said I never missed a night or always brought it with me when traveling. Still, for the majority of the past four months, I’ve stayed fairly consistent. By early July, I noticed less hair in my brush or the shower drain, which felt like a step out of crisis mode and, dare I say, even let me sigh in relief. A month later, I discovered even better news—new baby hairs. No doubt, my red light therapy hat played a key role in stopping the bleeding, so to speak—or should I say, the shedding.
Is the HigherDose Red Light Therapy Hat FDA approved?
HigherDose’s red light therapy hat is FDA-cleared for the safe and effective treatment of hair density and thickness. In addition to FDA clinical trials, HigherDose conducted its own independent consumer testing with 28 people. According to the brand, 93% reported improvements in overall hair and scalp health, 86% reported noticing hair growth, and 83% reported growth in sparse or balding areas.
How long does it take to see results from using the HigherDose Red Light Therapy Hat?
According to the brand, seeing results takes patience—at least 16 weeks—which is normal for hair follicle cycles. “With hair, we are waiting for follicles to cycle and for new strands to become visible—that is a process measured in months, not days,” says Coppola. “In hair-growth studies, outcomes are commonly assessed around 16 to 24 weeks.”
That said, Dr. Colombo reminds us not to get discouraged, as results may take longer for some. “Hair loss in particular requires months of consistent therapy for any noticeable results,” she says. “Depending on the individual and the cause of the hair loss, meaningful improvement may take three to six months or longer to appreciate.” Plus, she adds, hair density is ultimately slower to evaluate than improvements in complexion from LED face masks.
Does LED light help hair growth?
Per Coppola, once the reasons behind someone’s hair loss are identified, red light therapy can serve as a useful part of the plan, especially for pattern hair loss. “Studies of low-level light therapy have found improvements in hair density with consistent use over several months,” she explains; red light therapy supports active follicles through gradual improvement. That said, experts strongly encourage addressing the cause of shedding with a medical professional so your diagnosis can guide the ideal treatment plan.
Who is a good candidate for HigherDose’s Red Light Therapy Hat?
“The Red Light Hat is FDA-cleared to promote hair growth for those with androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as pattern hair loss,” says Alcade. Still, anyone interested in caring for their scalp and hair can use the device, whether actively experiencing hair shedding or simply taking a proactive approach. “Hair naturally changes as we age, in density and thickness over time. You don’t necessarily have to wait until hair loss becomes noticeable to start paying attention to your scalp and creating a consistent routine.”
Everything You Need to Know
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to red-light therapy for hair growth, we selected the best based on the following characteristics after at least 30 days of testing: light wavelengths, treatment types, comfort, helmet vs. hat vs. brush, and additional benefits offered. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
