Last Updated on August 14, 2023 by Robert Price

Laser helmets look absolutely ridiculous.

There’s no denying that fact.

But, a lot of you would wear a potato salad on your head, every day for four hours in front of your significant other, if doing so would regrow your hair.

Laser products look goofy, but who cares?

The million dollar question is: Does laser therapy work?

Does it treat hair loss? The short answer is yes.

The laser helmet is a hair loss treatment that has “scam” written all over it. But the fact is, laser therapy can help treat pattern hair loss, AKA androgenic alopecia, in both men and women.

Is it a miracle cure for balding?

No, not even close. And laser therapy isn’t for everyone. In fact, in my opinion, the majority of hair loss sufferers should probably stay away from this hair loss treatment for a variety of reasons. More on that later.

In this detailed but reader-friendly post, I’ll tell you seven things you should know about laser therapy BEFORE you buy a helmet, comb, cap, or any other device. I will also:

• Explain how the treatment works
• Review several pertinent studies and expert opinions on the subject.
• Help you determine your odds of achieving positive results with this treatment based on your gender and degree of hair loss.
• Offer my educated take on laser therapy as a hair loss researcher and consumer advocate with thousands of hours of experience in the field.
• Tell you whether or not I opted to use light therapy as a treatment when I learned I was losing my hair in 2021.
• Briefly review six of the top-rated products on the market today based on price, style, convenience, and effectiveness.
• Discuss the potential side effects of laser therapy and much more!

Now that the introduction is complete, here are the seven things you should know before you buy a laser cap, comb, or helmet…

1. Laser Therapy is PROVEN to Treat Hair Loss

Yes, surprisingly, the science indicates that laser therapy can definitely help slow the progression of pattern hair loss, as was first noted in a study done on rats in the late 60s.

Scientist Endre Mester’s goal in that study was to test the carcinogenic potential of lasers, and to his surprise, he found that using lasers on the mice yielded no carcinogenic effects and led to improved hair growth (1).

Recent scientific research has confirmed Mester’s findings.

In 2009, in a 26-week randomized and double-blinded study with 110 patients, researchers concluded that the HairMax LaserComb was an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia, AKA pattern hair loss. The LaserComb group showed significantly greater increases in hair density compared to the placebo (sham device) group (2).

2014 American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Study

A second laser comb study showed similar results. This was a larger, more extensive trial with over 128 male and 141 female participants.

The picture below shows one woman’s remarkable transformation.

Before and After Light Therapy

Am J Clinical Dermatology. 2014; 15(2): 115–127. Published Online 2014 Jan 29.

Over the course of 26 weeks, researchers evaluated each subject’s hair density compared to baseline.

They reviewed 12, 9, and 7 beam lasers, respectively vs. a placebo/sham device group. The results were as follows (the column on the LEFT is easier to skim, FYI):

In a second 2014 trial for Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, the treatment was deemed successful once again.

Forty-four males with pattern hair loss were evaluated. Researchers found that low-level laser therapy improved hair counts in the treatment group by 35%, compared to those who were administered a placebo (3).

Earlier studies, done in 2003 and 2007, respectively, also reported positive results using laser therapy to treat androgenic alopecia (4, 5).

There are problems with these studies, however. The sample sizes were small in all of them. You’ll find many of the industry’s top manufacturers have conducted their own studies, and I question the validity of all those in-house studies (as you should). That leads me to my next point.

2. Not All Doctors are Convinced Lasers Work

Reviews are mixed among doctors who have used lasers to treat hair loss in their practices.

This may give you pause before buying a laser helmet, comb, cap, or other device, and it may not.

Dr. Rassman of BaldingBlog, a pioneer in the hair transplantation field, says that in his experience, lasers do not grow hair (6). He notes that he even offered laser treatment for free in his office at one point, as an experiment, and he saw no results. Dr. Jae Pak, Rassman’s associate at New Hair, shares Rassman’s opinion and also believes laser therapy is an ineffective option.

Jennifer Ahdout, MD, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, contends that the laser comb is a “Safe treatment with some mild proven benefit,” which I believe is a sober and accurate take on the treatment. She also states that while laser therapy is not a “miraculous solution,” it is an important part of her arsenal in treating pattern hair loss (7). Her opinion on laser therapy is shared, by and large, by many dermatologists and hair restoration surgeons.

3. It’s Expensive (Relatively)

Laser combs cost around $200-$300. The cap/helmet devices, which most people prefer because they’re easier to use, start at around $500.

The good news is that your device will, hopefully, last you for a while.

Most laser caps, combs, etc. come with a manufacturer’s warranty and feature durable designs to ensure longevity.

4. Laser Therapy is Kind of a Hassle

So, you’re probably going to need to treat your hair for a minimum of an hour per week—roughly 20-30 minutes, every other day. 

That means you may need to regularly wear a ridiculous-looking helmet that looks like it came straight out of the Star Wars trilogy, possibly in front of a girlfriend or your beer buddies. And well, that could be embarrassing…

Ultimately, I don’t know what’s more embarrassing, getting “caught” like Jim in American Pie, or getting caught wearing a laser helmet. By the way, there’s no proven link between masturbation and hair loss.

What I’m saying is this: compliance is an issue.

There have been no studies with regard to users quitting laser treatment due to the inconveniences it causes, but I’m certain many people, men and women alike, do not use their laser devices as instructed.

In fact, I’d venture to say that the majority of laser products that have been sold over the last 5 years are collecting dust in closets, garages, and basements. 

5. Not a First-Line Treatment Option (for Men)

Overall, laser therapy is more beneficial in treating female hair loss.

For men, Finasteride and minoxidil are the two gold standards.

The American Hair Loss Association, one of the word’s leading hair loss consumer advocacy organizations, doesn’t even mention laser therapy on their treatments page.

The ISHRS—International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons—also doesn’t offer a glowing endorsement of laser therapy, stating that they take no official position on it.

Finasteride is considered the best fist line of attack against male pattern baldness. It helps dramatically slow or stop the progression of hair loss in about 90% of men.

All that said, laser therapy is definitely something worth considering adding to your treatment arsenal, as it can yield significant benefits. It’s just probably not something you want to use independently or go “all-in” on, at least not without some backup from Propecia, minoxidil, PRP, etc.

If a patient either can’t tolerate or doesn’t want to use finasteride, arguably the most potent weapon against male pattern hair loss, topical finasteride or a low-dose version of the drug are two other treatment options, as is laser therapy.

Jeff Donovan, a distinguished dermatologist and the president of the Canadian Hair Loss Association, frequently recommends laser therapy to his patients who can’t or won’t take finasteride (8).

6. Minimal Side Effects

Laser therapy’s minimal side effect profile is one of its biggest upsides.

Users of laser devices have reported very few side effects, and every study I’ve reviewed indicates that the treatment is safe.

Telogen effluviam (temporary hair loss or shedding) is one possible side effect, which can occur within the first few months of treatment. Also, if you have dysplastic or malignant lesions on your head—which I imagine is unlikely—then you should keep in mind that laser therapy may stimulate the growth of those lesions (9).

My only concern, personally, is that I’m unaware of anyone using laser therapy on a consistent basis for multiple decades. Could there be long-term side effects of laser use that haven’t been discovered yet? Only time will tell.

7. It’s FDA Cleared, Not Approved

As of right now, the only two FDA approved hair loss treatments are finasteride (AKA Propecia) and minoxidil (AKA Rogaine). Laser therapy, or more specifically, the laser comb (along with some other devices) has been cleared by the FDA for safety.

However, from what I’ve gathered, the FDA did require Lexington International, who funded the laser comb study, to submit information regarding its efficacy, but that information has not been made available to the public to my knowledge.

Laser-device manufacturers have repeatedly cited the “FDA approval” of their products—a claim that is perhaps a bit misleading. Laser therapy should NOT be considered to be an effective alternative to either Rogaine or Propecia.

My Take on Laser Therapy for Hair Loss

Laser therapy is not for everyone, as I said earlier.

Most people probably don’t have the discipline to use a laser cap, comb, or helmet as instructed, for one hour or more per week, on an indefinite basis.

The cost is another issue. Finasteride and minoxidil are cheaper options—and they have considerably more research to validate their long-term effectiveness.

The “Why Not” Option

For some, light therapy is a safe and simple way to fight hair loss.

They put their caps on, scroll through their TikTok or Facebook feeds, and wait for their new hairs to sprout. Rinse and repeat every other day or so.

If you’re determined to keep your hair, laser therapy is worth considering, provided you…

• Have a stable source of income
• Realistic expectations
• And you think you’ll be diligent enough to stick with it.

Why I Don’t Personally Use a Laser Device

When I discovered I was losing my hair in 2021, five years after starting this site, I went out and purchased a three-pack of liquid minoxidil right away. The minoxidil worked for me. And as of today, I haven’t added any supplementary therapies to my regimen for three reasons. 

1. My hair loss was isolated in a small area at my crown. In other words, it was a relatively minor form of balding, so I didn’t feel as though using additional treatments was warranted in my case.
2. I was an old man already (relatively speaking). At 36, I didn’t believe I was likely to experience an aggressive or severe variety of hair loss in the near future.
3. Compliance is an issue for me sometimes even with the minoxidil, which only takes a minute or so to apply per treatment. So I knew laser therapy wasn’t a realistic option for me. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a viable option for you. If you’re still thinking about purchasing a laser cap, helmet, or comb, here are a few products for your consideration.

Laser Therapy for Hair Loss – The Top Six Products

Note – This section contains affiliate links. If you purchase any of these products via a link from my website, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I strive to only list/recommend products that I’ve reviewed personally and would either use or recommend to a friend or family member. Learn more here. 

First, A Quick Note on Diodes

Diodes pump light into your balding scalp. They help recharge thinning hairs.

As a general rule, the more diodes, the better.

Medical-grade lasers often feature 250+ diodes. Entry-level helmets may come with 50, perhaps less.

While no extensive studies have compared devices based on their diode counts, dermatologists who provide laser therapy services exclusively use high-diode lasers.

That’s not to say entry-level helmets and caps can’t work. They certainly can. In the original laser comb study, researchers found 9 and 12-diode combs helped treat hair loss.

You get what you pay for, as with any other item. Okay, enough talk about diodes. Let’s to get to the list.

1. Kiierr 272 MD Laser Cap

With 272 diodes, the Kiierr 272 MD laser cap used to only be available with a doctor’s prescription. But for the past few years, the product has been available to the general public.

It’s a relatively expensive option, with a list price of around $2,000. If you look on their website, you can usually find discount codes to save money on your purchase. Kiierr also offers a full line of products, including budget-friendly, entry-level devices.

As of 12-30-22,  the Kiierr 272 MD laser is backed by a generous two-year warranty. This is a medical-grade product for a fairly reasonable price, all things considered. Payment plans are available for those who qualify. The well-engineered cap was designed with comfort and style in mind, so you won’t feel embarrassed or as though you’ve just been “caught” if someone sees you wearing it.

To learn more, visit the official Kiierr website.

2.The Hairmax PowerFlex Laser Cap 272

The Hairmax PowerFlex Laser Cap 272 delivers restorative energy to your hair follicles and can help reset your hair’s growth cycle, leading to less shedding and added density. Boasting over 272 laser diodes, this is a top-quality product from perhaps the industry’s leading brand. HairMax is the pioneering company behind the original laser comb, the device that started the light therapy revolution.

Aesthetically, it has an appealing look and fits comfortably for most users. Like the Kiier product listed above, the Hairmax PowerFlex cap retails for around two-thousand dollars. HairMax recommends using this cap for 15-30 minutes, three times per week.

3. Hairmax RegrowMD Laser 272

Widely recommended by hair loss experts throughout the world, Hairmax is a brand renowned for its commitment to quality and innovations in the industry. They claim—based on their own research, I assume—that this product has a 90% success rate. I’m not sure exactly how they define success or how they came up with that figure, but the product has solid reviews, and I like its design overall.

Interestingly, this product is roughly $1,000 cheaper than the #2 device on my list, the Hairmax PowerFlex Cap, despite the fact that both products feature 272 diodes. According to Hairmax, the PowerFlex device boasts “medical-grade” lasers, whereas the Regrow MD cap has “high-quality” lasers, so I imagine that’s the primary reason the Regrow MD cap sells for a cheaper (much cheaper) price.

You can review the HairMax Regrow MD Laser Cap on Amazon.

4. The iRestore Laser Helmet

A budget-friendly option, the iRestore laser helmet features 51 medical-grade laser diodes. It’s FDA-cleared with a lightweight design. According to the company’s own 2017 study, 100% of users saw a visible improvement in hair growth after 4 months; 43.23% was the average increase in hair count, per their own statistics. Current cost is around $500, and the reviews are generally favorable.

Buy the iRestore Laser Helmet on Amazon.

4.

5. The iGrow Laser Helmet

I’ve seen many doctors and hair loss sufferers alike recommend this product. It’s relatively budget-friendly, currently available for just under $400, and it comes with a 6-month money-back guarantee, as well as a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. According to two recent, peer-reviewed studies, the iGrow laser increased hair counts by 35% in males and 37% in females.

Buy the iGrow Helmet on Amazon.

6. Capillus82 Laser Cap

This is one of the newer options. If you’re an aesthetic type of person like I am, and the idea of wearing a ball cap appeals to you more than wearing a goofy-looking helmet, this may be worth checking out. It doesn’t have the review history or track record of the aforementioned products, but it does appear to be a legitimate and functional product. The Capillus82 features 82 laser diodes, a rechargeable battery back, carrying case, and a 1-year limited warranty. They claim their product has a 95% success rate.

Current cost is about $800.

Buy Capillus82 on Amazon.

Honorable Mention – The Laser Comb

The laser comb was, in many ways, the product that started it all. However, these days, most people prefer helmets to caps, given that they require far less user interaction. Still, starting at around $200, if you don’t mind actively using a product, the laser comb is something worth considering.

Purchase the Original Laser Comb on Amazon.

Before You Buy a Laser Helmet, Comb, or Cap – Closing Thoughts

As I’ve said repeatedly, laser therapy is a treatment you should only consider if you’re serious about throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at your hair loss. There are more effective and less inconvenient options, namely finasteride (for men) and minoxidil.

But adding a laser to your treatment routine couldn’t hurt, and there’s a pretty good chance laser therapy can help you maintain your hair, at the very least. And maintenance is the goal, regrowth is gravy.

For a medical-grade laser cap that’s stylish and widely recommended by hair loss experts, consider the Kiierr 272 MD laser cap.

If you have any questions about a particular laser helmet or an experience you’d like to share, sound off in the comment section.

Since you’re here, you may want to check out one of the following articles, hand-picked just for you based on your expert reading skills:

• Foam vs. Liquid Minoxidil – And the Winner Is…
• Topical Finasteride – Everything You Need Know
• 14 Questions with Dr. Jeff Donovan, President of the Canadian Hair Loss Association
• Will You Look Good Bald? Five Ways to Know
• The Norwood Scale – How Bald are You, with Celebrity Examples

Robert Price

Robert Price is a writer, consumer advocate, and hair loss researcher with thousands of hours of experience in the field. His goal is to keep you out of the hair loss rabbit hole, underworld, or whatever you want to call it. He founded Hair Loss Daily, the unbiased hair loss blog, in 2016. You can learn more about Robert in the my story section of this website.