Redlight therapy for hair

[Deep]

Hey all
As the years march on there is no denying that I'm thinning. It's the usual male pattern/androgenic type of thing. It's not too bad at the moment (for my age) but it will only go in one direction.

I've just started using Minoxidil spray and am trying to avoid Finasteride because of its effects on DHT (and potentially subsequent effects on libido/sexual function)

I've been reading up about these redlight devices and have decided to give one a go.

The price of these things seems to vary greatly, from a few hundred to a few thousand £s.

Can anyone recommend one? I'm prepared to pay more as long as I'm actually getting something better.

Thanks

[otolith]

Well, that surprises me, there's good evidence for them.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/02/red...

No idea about brands, but I would expect there are all sorts of charlatans jumping on the bandwagon and flogging things which are not up to the grade used clinically.

[MC Bodge]

Embrace the hair loss.

It's not that big a deal.

[EatMyPants]

Don't worry about at and just buy one if these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DOAO-Magnetic-Rechargeabl...

[Deep]

I think some people think they're a lot funnier than they actually are...they'll be avoided at Xmas parties no doubt

[Deep]

otolith said:

Well, that surprises me, there's good evidence for them.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/02/red...

No idea about brands, but I would expect there are all sorts of charlatans jumping on the bandwagon and flogging things which are not up to the grade used clinically.

Yes, I'm happy that there's enough scientific evidence out there to warrant the investment.

I just need to get right device. I don't want to over pay for branding but as you say no point buying a rubbish one that doesn't use the correct specification of leds.

Thanks

[andyxxx]

I am raving bald at 65.

I started balding early twenties and like the OP did not like it.
There were few options at the time (Regain came in mid 80s but it cost a fortune and had little effect on me so I tried to not let the balding bother me.)

If I was the OP I would be doing the same and will follow this thread because close friends would certainly be interested in the best machine for the money.

[Lincsls1]

Deep said:

I've just started using Minoxidil spray and am trying to avoid Finasteride because of its effects on DHT (and potentially subsequent effects on libido/sexual function)

Why don't you try the combination spray that uses topical Minoxidil and topical Finasteride in one bottle?
Apparently the side effects of the topical Finasteride vs the oral are much less likely as the effects are limited to the area of application.
I have been using it for a couple of months now, and I haven't noticed any negative sides, I do however feel the spray is working, slowly of course, very slowly.

[Lincsls1]

https://drhair.co.uk/product/drhair-finasteride-mi...

[Deep]

Lincsls1 said:

Why don't you try the combination spray that uses topical Minoxidil and topical Finasteride in one bottle?
Apparently the side effects of the topical Finasteride vs the oral are much less likely as the effects are limited to the area of application.
I have been using it for a couple of months now, and I haven't noticed any negative sides, I do however feel the spray is working, slowly of course, very slowly.

Yes, the combination is a good shout. Unfortunately I had already ordered a triple pack of Minoxidil by the time it occurred to me. It's generally accepted that topical F works and has lower incidence of sexual side effects but I can't seem to find the exact evidence/data. I do prefer to read the original papers rather than google's AI summary, the devil is in the detail etc.

I might give the combo a go once I get through these bottles of M, but I'm also particularly keen to try the redlight therapy.

Btw, I'm mid 50s and have managed to retain respectable hair volume up until recently but it's definitely thinning now. I can still comb it in a way to hide the thinning (no, not a comb over!) but it won't stay like that for long...hence me wanting to take some action.

Thanks

[Deep]

Lincsls1 said:

https://drhair.co.uk/product/drhair-finasteride-mi...

Thanks.
I'll probably be travelling to a country in February where this can be bought for about £5 I think. I will buy a year's supply whilst I'm out there!!

[MC Bodge]

Deep said:

I think some people think they're a lot funnier than they actually are...they'll be avoided at Xmas parties no doubt

Not really. Just being honest.

I went quite bald in my 20s and shaved it off.

[Inbox]

MC Bodge said:

Deep said:

I think some people think they're a lot funnier than they actually are...they'll be avoided at Xmas parties no doubt

Not really. Just being honest.

I went quite bald in my 20s and shaved it off.

I think the question to ask yourself with these treatments is are they for life? Assuming they work do you have to keep using them for the hair to remain or maybe follow Wayne Rooney and get your arse hair stuck on your head.

I don't know as I have accepted the situation and to be grateful for the hair I do have.

[Lincsls1]

Inbox said:

I think the question to ask yourself with these treatments is are they for life? Assuming they work do you have to keep using them for the hair to remain or maybe follow Wayne Rooney and get your arse hair stuck on your head.

I don't know as I have accepted the situation and to be grateful for the hair I do have.

Yes, these treatments are for life. If you stop the problem just re-occurs.
It is actually the same if you have a hair transplant, you still need to continue with the sprays or tablets or the new hair just dies off as it did before.

[Inbox]

Lincsls1 said:

Inbox said:

I think the question to ask yourself with these treatments is are they for life? Assuming they work do you have to keep using them for the hair to remain or maybe follow Wayne Rooney and get your arse hair stuck on your head.

I don't know as I have accepted the situation and to be grateful for the hair I do have.

Yes, these treatments are for life. If you stop the problem just re-occurs.
It is actually the same if you have a hair transplant, you still need to continue with the sprays or tablets or the new hair just dies off as it did before.

Lot to be said for just shaving it off.

[Deep]

I get the impression that those guys who went bald in their 20s are a bit outraged that guys who still have hair in their 50s would quite like to hold onto theirs. There are now fairly effective treatments out there so why shouldn't people use them even if they are for life?

It's a bit like saying...do I need to brush my teeth for life to keep them? fk that, just let them fall out. Embrace the edentulous look.

It also shows some kind of narcissistic personality disorder to come on a thread about retaining one's hair health and advice people to do the exact opposite and just shave all your hair off so they can be just like you because you are the absolute best😄😄

Please, if you have nothing constructive to say on redlight therapy is there any chance you could take your bald heads somewhere else?😄

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Lincsls1 said:

Inbox said:

I think the question to ask yourself with these treatments is are they for life? Assuming they work do you have to keep using them for the hair to remain or maybe follow Wayne Rooney and get your arse hair stuck on your head.

I don't know as I have accepted the situation and to be grateful for the hair I do have.

Yes, these treatments are for life. If you stop the problem just re-occurs.
It is actually the same if you have a hair transplant, you still need to continue with the sprays or tablets or the new hair just dies off as it did before.

Or just get stubble tattooed on your scalp?

[Phables.dev]

There is decent evidence for red light therapy helping with androgenic alopecia (and mitochondrial activity and cellular regeneration generally), but the at-home market is flooded with cheap LED caps that either don't use the right wavelengths (need red 630-680nm plus near-infrared 830nm), don't have sufficient power density, or both. Professional-grade equipment runs much higher specifications than consumer devices, which matters for effectiveness.

If you're considering buying one, might be worth trying a few professional sessions first. If you don't see any response with pro equipment, you'll know a home device won't help either.

One thing worth mentioning: if you're doing anything that involves dieting (not suggesting you are, but it comes up a lot with hair loss), sufficient protein intake is really important. Telogen effluvium from nutritional deficiency can compound pattern baldness. Most don't realise how much protein hair actually needs. It's no coincidence that there's many anecdotes from people switching to a higher meat content diet and experiencing increased hair thickness.

More info on treatment options generally: creativetouchrotherham.co.uk/.../pattern-baldness-treatment-options

And the nutritional angle (written for weight loss injections context, but the principles apply to any nutritionally insufficient diet): creativetouchrotherham.co.uk/.../mounjaro-hair-loss

Combining approaches, e.g. RLT + minoxidil, tends to work better than any single treatment.

[Deep]

Phables.dev said:

There is decent evidence for red light therapy helping with androgenic alopecia (and mitochondrial activity and cellular regeneration generally), but the at-home market is flooded with cheap LED caps that either don't use the right wavelengths (need red 630-680nm plus near-infrared 830nm), don't have sufficient power density, or both. Professional-grade equipment runs much higher specifications than consumer devices, which matters for effectiveness.

If you're considering buying one, might be worth trying a few professional sessions first. If you don't see any response with pro equipment, you'll know a home device won't help either.

One thing worth mentioning: if you're doing anything that involves dieting (not suggesting you are, but it comes up a lot with hair loss), sufficient protein intake is really important. Telogen effluvium from nutritional deficiency can compound pattern baldness. Most don't realise how much protein hair actually needs. It's no coincidence that there's many anecdotes from people switching to a higher meat content diet and experiencing increased hair thickness.

More info on treatment options generally: creativetouchrotherham.co.uk/.../pattern-baldness-treatment-options

And the nutritional angle (written for weight loss injections context, but the principles apply to any nutritionally insufficient diet): creativetouchrotherham.co.uk/.../mounjaro-hair-loss

Combining approaches, e.g. RLT + minoxidil, tends to work better than any single treatment.

Thank you!
The problem I see with trying professional treatments first is that you usually need two treatments a week and it can take months to see results. That's a lot of investment of time and money and so perhaps better to just bite the bullet and buy one.
In terms of diet, I do regular resistance training so am fairly strict about maintaining a high protein diet (as well as fruit, veg, nuts etc)

Back to the equipment, I was wondering whether the higher priced kit was just taking the piss but as you say it's essential to get the correct wavelength and power density, and I'm assuming you have to pay for that.

This particular one seems to get very good reviews...though I will definitely feel like a bit of a wally wearing one..

https://www.currentbody.com/products/currentbody-s...

[andyxxx]

Deep said:

...though I will definitely feel like a bit of a wally wearing one..

https://www.currentbody.com/products/currentbody-s...

Not at all - just play star wars music through the headphones and you will feel good