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I compared caps, helmets and brushes to see which hair growth device had the best benefits Emma North/The StandardMore than 15 million people in the UK experience hair loss. Despite the discourse surrounding men, pattern balding actually affects more women. According to the National Council on Ageing, 8 million women were living with hair loss last year, compared to 6.5 million men.
Luckily, regrowth solutions are becoming more attainable and affordable thanks to innovation in the beauty tech space. Saving you a flight to Turkey or an expensive supplement subscription, the best hair growth devices use low-level laser therapy or red light LEDs, from helmets to brushes and headbands.
“Laser devices are clinically proven hair loss treatments that stimulate cell activity within the hair follicle, decrease hair shedding and promote growth where possible”, explains Samantha Stewart, MIT, The Spencer Clinic of Trichology.
“They help to stimulate the follicle and increase blood flow, which helps to keep the hair in the anagen phase (growing phase). The laser beams direct light into the skin and promote the production of the molecule ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), which is the energy source for all living cells.”
Mandy Graham, Paul Mitchell Trichologist, agrees. “Numerous studies and controlled clinical trials have indeed shown that LLLT (low-level laser (light) therapy) can stimulate hair growth in humans through a variety of pathways,” she tells Standard Shopping.
Read more: Best red light therapy devices for hair growth at home
“Most of these are on AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia), AA (Alopecia Areata), CIA (Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia) and TE (Telogen Effluvium), and it seems to give better results in women than men. It seems to be a safe, effective and non-invasive way to combat hair loss as long as there are still some stem cells present to stimulate.”
Higherdose’s red light therapy cap is among the most popular at-home devices Emma North/The Standard For anyone concerned with hair loss, these at-home devices have been tried and tested to tackle thinning – but only if you invest in the right brand. When beauty journalist Emma North reviewed the best light therapy hair growth devices for The Standard, one stood out for its efficacy and everyday ease.
Boasting an incognito design that looks like your everyday baseball cap, HigherDose’s laser therapy cap led to baby hairs sprouting around her parting and hairline. Here’s everything you need to know.
HigherDose red light cap
Healf★★★★★
What we love: Discreet baseball cap design, comfortable to wear, and I noticed baby hairs sprouting while my scalp acne was calmed
Take note: Quite heavy to wear
“Hair growth devices only stand a chance of working if you actually use them, and the HigherDOSE red light hat was easily the one I used most consistently. It looks exactly like a baseball cap, so I happily wore it while working, pottering around the house and watching TV without feeling like I was wearing a piece of beauty tech.
Beneath the baseball cap, there are 120 LEDs delivering 650nm red light, with sessions taking just 10 minutes. Beauty Pie's all-systems-grow cap does pack in 125 LEDs and delivers 655nm, but I found the HigherDOSE hat more comfortable and more my style. Yes, £449 is a lot of money, but the hat design made it easy to stick with.
For this device, HigherDose boasts some great stats. Based on a survey of 28 participants wearing the hat for 16 weeks, 83 per cent saw hair growth in sparse or balding areas within the 16 weeks, and 93 per cent noticed an improvement to their scalp and hair health. My own experience was just as positive. I definitely clocked more baby hairs sprouting around my parting and hairline, while my scalp acne became noticeably calmer with fewer breakouts and irritation.”
- Device type: Hat
- Light modes: Red (650nm)
- Wireless: Yes
- Treatment time: 10 minutes
- Uses per charge: 8-10
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