Category Archives: Low Level Laser Therapy

CurrentBody, LED, LLLT, Low Level Laser Therapy

CurrentBody LED Hair Regrowth Device

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I have covered a number of popular laser hair growth devices on this site in the past. While the vast majority of these devices make use of laser diode light, a new FDA-cleared product called CurrentBody LED hair regrowth device uses only light-emitting diode (LED) light.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer of CurrentBody is an advertiser on this site. They have offered readers a discount code HAIRCURECB for $90 off the current $859 price of their LED hair regrowth device. Also check out their Instagram page.

LLLT and Hair Growth

In general, readers are skeptical about the hair growth benefits of wave based treatments such as low level light therapy (LLLT) and sound therapy for hair loss.

However, LLLT continues to be covered at every single major hair loss conference. Moreover, new studies keep coming out that tout the benefits of light energy and photobiomodulation (PBM) on scalp hair growth and quality. Including a 2021 one from L’Oreal that found LLLT to downregulate scalp inflammatory biomarkers in men with androgenetic alopecia.

Among the things that laser light can do for scalp health and hair quality include:

  • Stimulate the mitochondria via photon absorption.
  • Reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
  • Increase synthesis and production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
  • Increase nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.
  • Impact gene expression in a number of ways.

CurrentBody LED Hair Regrowth Device

The CurrentBody LED hair regrowth helmet device makes use of 120 red LED bulbs that deliver full scalp coverage. The average power of 18 J/cm² compared to an industry average of 6 J/cm² makes this device three times stronger than other devices on the market. It can be used by both men and women suffering from hair loss.

Note that LED diodes are nowadays much stronger than in the past when it comes to wattage output. They can even power car headlights. Historically, laser diodes were always preferred to LED diodes when it comes to LLLT devices. However, this is no longer true due to technological advancements in LED technology. Laser phototherapy (LPT) devices only use laser diodes.

The wavelength of the red light from this device is 640 nm. See my past post on laser therapy for hair loss and wavelength. Red light wavelength ranges from 400 nm to 700 nm.

The device comes in two sizes:

  1. Small/Medium (Head Measurements: 54cm – 58.7cm).
  2. Medium/Large (Head Measurements: 59.7cm – 63.5cm).

It is charged via a USB cord (but no mains plug is provided). You need to use the device for 10 minutes per day for 16 weeks for visible results. The device won “Best New Product” in the “Tools” category for the Marie Claire 2023 Hair Awards. It was also featured on the UK show “This Morning” as one of Nadine Baggott’s top products to beat hair loss.

The company sent me the below before and after image that shows a very good responder to this treatment. Note that this man is also using topical Minoxidil.

CurrentBody LED Hair Regrowth
CurrentBody LED hair growth before and after.

My Experiences with CurrentBody’s LED Device

I started using the CurrentBody LED hair regrowth device two days ago. I have never used any other laser device in my life. It was extremely easy to use the helmetlike machine right out of the box. It is also relatively lightweight when considering the large quantity of LEDs inside. Note that the device should never be used on wet hair per the user manual instructions.

After my first 10-minute treatment session, I got a slight burning smell, but I did not see any smoke or melted plastic anywhere! After my second treatment, I got a milder burning smell, but it could also be from my shirt as I had been to a bar earlier. No obvious difference in hair texture in just two days of use.

CurrentBody LED Hair
My CurrentBody LED hair growth device on its stand.

The 120 LED lights make this product look very futuristic. I used it for 10 minutes and it then shut itself off automatically based on an in-built timer.

Due to the short duration of treatment, I did not try to connect the headphones with my phone via bluetooth. That in-built option is available in case you want to listen to any music or podcasts during the 10 minutes of daily treatment.

I have not yet needed to recharge the device, but will probably try charging it via my computer USB port. If that does not work or is too slow, I will recharge via using a USB adaptor connected to an electric wall outlet.

Do note that I am also currently using 0.5 mg Dutasteride twice a week and 2.5 mg oral Minoxidil once per day for my hair loss. The oral Minoxidil seems to be working quite well and I only started using it in November 2022. I have been using the Dutasteride for a few years. So my results with the laser device could have some bias when I update this post in the future.

Low Level Laser Therapy, LLLT

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Hair Loss

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HairMax LaserComb LLLT
Low-Level Laser Therapy with HairMax LaserComb.

Until several years ago, I used to be a skeptic when it comes to low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for hair loss. This is not to say that I felt there was zero logic in using lasers to treat scalp hair loss.

In fact, for years, I have heard of laser body hair removal causing the unwanted and opposite side effect of laser hair growth stimulation in some people. A phenomenon termed as paradoxical hypertrichosis. Affecting 3 percent of hair removal patients per a recent study.

However, I felt that the benefits of LLLT aka photobiomodulation (PBM) on scalp hair are modest at best. Lasers used for body hair removal at clinics are far more powerful and different from those used to treat scalp hair loss. Even less powerful at-home laser hair removal devices are often stronger than those used to treat scalp hair loss.

Updated: April 13, 2022

New Studies on LLLT for Hair Loss

Since I first wrote this post, a number of new studies in support of low-level laser light therapy for hair growth have been published.

  • An April 2022 study from China finds that low-level laser treatment promotes skin wound healing in mice by activating hair follicle stem cells. I always think of LLLT and wounding as somewhat overlapping in concept.
  • A December 2021 study from China found hair growth promoting effects from 650 nm red light stimulation.
  • September 2021 findings from Dr. Gentile of Italy: “All the articles selected and analyzed reported a positive effect of LLLT for MPHL and/or FPHL treatment without side effects”.
  • A May 2021 study concluded that low-level light therapy downregulates scalp inflammatory biomarkers in men with androgenetic alopecia. Moreover, LLLT also boosts the effectiveness of Minoxidil on hair growth. Note that this research was conducted in France by the reputable L’Oréal.
  • Also from May 2021, yet more findings that photobiomodulation therapy activates β-Catenin in hair follicle stem cells.
  • A 2020 literature review of ten controlled clinical trials concludes that LLLT appears to be safe and effective for treating pattern hair loss in both men and women. However, the authors caution that some studies “have a relationship with the industry”.
  • According to this summary, as of September 2020 there were 66 LLLT devices registered with the US FDA.
  • A 2019 study from Thailand conducted proteomic analysis of dermal papilla cells before and after treatment with low-level laser therapy. The analysis revealed 11 up-regulated and 2 down-regulated proteins in LLLT treated DP cells compared with baseline.

Also of note, at the recent 2022 AAD conference, there was a session on Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy and hair growth. One of the items of discussion pertained to the use of LLLT in combination with PRP.

Low-Level Laser Therapy Wavelengths

The lasers that are used in LLLT typically have a wavelength of anywhere between 600 to 900 nanometers (nm). Anything below 600 nm tends to work less effectively. However, one study found lower wavelength blue light (453 nm) to be more effective.

The bestselling laser hair growth devices all use wavelengths of red or near-infrared light (i.e., around 650 nm). Of note, a study from South Korea found that a higher wavelength of 830 nm gave the best results (albeit in mice). For more on this subject, see my posts on low level laser therapy for hair loss wavelengths. Also check out my post on the use of higher wavelength fractional lasers for stimulating hair growth.

LLLT Debate

This old debate from 2008 between Dr. Feller and Dr. Bauman is quite interesting. Dr. Bauman was also part of a now famous 2004/2005 Dateline NBC show that followed 5 patients on different treatment protocols. The HairMax Lasercomb resulted in the most favorable (but not stellar) hair regrowth results. See patient “George” and his before and after photos at 8:10 onwards in this video:

Laser Devices for Hair Growth

Nowadays, numerous physicians support the use of FDA cleared at-home low-level laser devices for hair growth. The Amazon.com customer reviews for LLLT products typically average around 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.

However, I would advise always looking at reviews with a critical eye. Only give credence to reviewers who have their names verified. Make sure to focus on those who have posted reviews of many different types of products over several years.