“I do think red light works and it’s another tool in your tool belt,” says Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in hair loss, who uses red-light treatments on patients in his office. “If you have irritation or inflamed follicles, the red light puts out the fire a little bit. If you try to grow plants in lava, it’ll never happen.” Another thought is that it can reduce levels of certain hormones associated with androgenetic alopecia, like dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.

And it’s not just anecdotal. One study found that combining red light therapy with minoxidil and finasteride improved hair density and strength around the temples by 55% in women and 74% in men. Another study showed consistent daily use over four months led to significant improvements in hair count and scalp coverage, especially in people with androgenetic alopecia.

How the Currentbody LED Hair Growth Helmet works

Let’s talk wavelengths. The helmet uses 650nm red light, which, according to dermatologists, is the sweet spot for penetrating the scalp without heating or damaging tissue. Red light at this wavelength increases blood flow and energizes the hair follicle. It can shift follicles from the resting phase into the growth phase.

But beyond the tech specs, it’s the ease of use that won me over. It’s a 10-minute treatment, three times a week. That’s it. No wires, no app syncing, no frustrating remotes—though it does have Bluetooth speakers that connect to your phone so you can listen to music or podcasts while you wait. You pop it on, it beeps to start, and again to stop. In the time it takes to scroll through your For You Page or make a matcha, you’ve completed a full treatment. And, of course, it’s non-invasive and pain-free.

Inside the helmet, flexible silicone padding ensures a snug, comfortable fit. And because the lasers are embedded throughout the dome, you get even coverage—crucial for someone like me whose thinning wasn’t just on the crown but also along the temples.

How I tested the Currentbody LED Hair Growth Helmet

I’m in my 40s and have dealt with slow, sneaky hair thinning for the past few years. Blame it on stress, genes, or my love affair with hair-tugging blowouts. I’ve tried minoxidil foam (messy), scalp serums (sticky), and hair supplements (meh). Red light therapy seemed like a passive win for new growth—if it worked.