Red Light Therapy For Hair Loss: The Best Alopecia Treatments

woman with long hair

Losing your hair can be devastating, especially when this is unexpected. Although this isn’t a condition that affects your physical health, it can be detrimental to your mental health and cause those who are losing their hair to suffer a great deal of insecurity and embarrassment. Dealing with hair loss (alopecia) is sometimes not taken seriously and you may feel misunderstood about how this new change in how you look makes you feel. Our hair can make or break how we feel about our appearance and if you start to notice you’re beginning to lose it, this can be scary to experience. You may also be confused as to why you’re starting to see these changes and wonder if there are any steps you can take in preventing this from getting worse or even finding a cure.

Luckily there are some known treatments for hair loss you can take to help you feel like yourself again. That’s where red light therapy for hair loss comes in. Red light therapy is well known for the benefits it provides for pain, inflammation, skin issues and (you’ll be pleased to know) losing hair. So whether your hair is falling out, you’re dealing with male pattern baldness or you’re starting to notice your hair thinning, red light therapy for hair loss is something you should definitely try if you’re looking for something to help treat this naturally.

But how does red light for hair loss work? In this blog we explore how this treatment can improve hair loss and the science behind this innovative technology. At Active Care Chiropractic, we are experts on this treatment and how it can benefit our patients in restoring their confidence and quality of life. Keep reading as we dive into how you can utilise this technology to your advantage and overcome this barrier you’re facing.

It’s important to note that you should always consult a doctor before starting any treatment.

Understanding Hair Loss

Before seeking treatment, it’s important to understand what is causing your hair loss, so you can more effectively target your treatment methods. Alopecia doesn’t just affect your scalp but can also occur all over your entire body, as well as having a number of different causes. Some types of hair loss are temporary whereas some can have permanent effects, in which case certain treatment options may be ineffective and result in more frustration. There are lots of causes that lead to baldness so knowing the reason why this is happening to you can give you a better chance of treating this condition.

Causes of alopecia:

  • Genes:

Having a family history of hair loss with ageing can result in this condition also happening to you. Also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, this hereditary condition often starts with a gradual reduction in the hair thickness and density. Men may experience a receding hairline that slowly turns into baldness on the top of the head. Whereas women will start to see the parting in their hair widening but rarely leads to complete baldness.

  • Hormonal changes and medical conditions:

When women experience hormone fluctuations, this can also lead to alopecia. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can all cause temporary or permanent hair loss. Conditions such as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that attacks hair follicles can also result in patchy hair loss.

  • Stress

Experiencing physical or emotional stress can trigger a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. This condition causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into the resting state, leading to hair shedding and thinning. Fortunately this form of hair loss is usually temporary and will grow back once stress is relieved.

  • Hairstyles

Wearing certain hairstyles everyday such as ponytails and braids can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. This is because these types of styles pull the hair tight and can cause thinning around the parting.

Now you know some common causes of hair loss, it’s important to determine whether you are experiencing alopecia or not. Here are some common signs you may be losing your hair.

Woman with short hair

Symptoms of hair loss:

  • Thinning of the hair on the top of your head:

One of the most common types of hair loss that affects both men and women is the gradual thinning of the hair on the top of the head. In men, they may experience a receding hairline, sometimes in an ‘M’ shape at the front of their head. Whereas for women this may manifest in the broadening of the parting of their hair, although older women are more likely to  experience a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).

  • Circular or patchy bald spots

For some individuals they may start to see smooth, coin sized bald spots of their head. This type of hair loss usually affects the scalp, but it can also occur in beards and eyebrows. In some cases, the skin may feel itchy or painful before the hair starts to fall out.

  • Sudden loosening of the hair

Physical or emotional trauma can trigger the hair to start thinning. In this case, handfuls of hair may come out when brushing or washing your hair, even after a gentle tug. Although stress can lead to this kind of hair loss and result in thinning, you may be relieved to know it is only temporary 

  • Full body hair loss

Hair loss that affects the whole body is normally a result from certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer. Although this is an unpleasant side effect, after treatment is complete the hair typically starts to grow back.

  • Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp

If you notice this symptom along with swelling, redness and oozing, this could be a sign of ringworm. You may also start to see broken hair.

Hair Loss Treatments

Although some forms of hair loss have no cure, there are some treatments available you can try to see if it makes a difference. Particularly with temporary hair loss you may have more of a chance to see improvements. 

  • Medication:

If you are suffering from hair loss you may of heard of medications such as Finasteride (Propecia) that slows down hair loss by inhibiting the hormone responsible for alopecia and is usually for men, and Minoxidil (Rogaine) stimulates hair growth and is suitable for both men and women.

  • Hair transplants:

If you have been losing your hair for a while, you may have considered getting a hair transplant. This procedure involves relocating hair from one area of your body to the bald spot. This kind of treatment is costly which may be the decision to try alternative methods.

  • Lifestyle changes:

Particularly if your alopecia is caused by stress, making certain lifestyle changes can improve the appearance of hair loss. This can include participating in mindfulness exercises such as meditation and yoga to help manage stress levels and ultimately stop hair loss.

  • Red light therapy for alopecia

One emerging treatment you should consider trying is red light therapy for baldness. This treatment involves using low levels of infrared light to stimulate hair follicles which aims to enhance growth and thickness. 

More On Red Light And Hair Growth

Red light and hair growth can go hand in hand if you’re looking for a solution to your problem. Those who are experiencing the results of alopecia, using red light for hair loss can offer hope to those who are seeking treatment. This is a non-invasive treatment using low levels of red light to stimulate the scalp, promoting hair growth by enhancing circular function and blood circulation.

Red light therapy for alopecia can be effective as when the red light penetrates the scalp it’s absorbed by the cells’ mitochondria, (the powerhouse of the cell). This absorption can boost the production of the source of energy for adenosine triphosphate – use and storage at the cellular level and which not only enhances cellular energy but promotes a more vigorous metabolism. This increased energy production accelerates cell division and extends the growth phase of hair follicles, leading to thicker and more resilient hair strands. This makes red light therapy for alopecia an attractive option for those seeking to make improvements to their condition.

Furthermore, red light therapy for baldness also reduces inflammation and increases blood circulation to the hair follicles. This enhanced circulation brings more oxygen and nutrients to the hair cells, encouraging growth and revitalising dormant follicles. Red light and hair growth have anti-inflammatory effects and are particularly beneficial for the form of hair loss like alopecia areata, where inflammation around follicles inhibits hair growth.

Woman with shaved head

Red Light Therapy At Active Care Chiropractic

So if you are suffering from alopecia and like the sound of red light for hair loss then look no further! At Active Care Chiropractic we are experts in this technology and believe in the benefits it provides our patients. Using red light therapy for hair loss is a non-invasive alternative to other methods such as hair transplants, working to target the cause of the hair loss as opposed to just dealing with the aftermath. 

Red Light Therapy (photobiomodulation) can be really helpful with some forms of hair loss but is not guaranteed with all – if you know our chiropractor Phil – you can see that this is the case!

Want to give this treatment a try? Contact us today and book a session with one of our red light experts, and receive the best treatment using this technology!

active care team photo
Feel Better Today!

Book your chiropractic or red light therapy session with us today!