LED light therapy is a rising star in skincare, with its ability to boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, and promote anti-ageing benefits. It’s also a powerful tool against acne and acne-related scarring. With non-invasive treatments gaining popularity, TikTok has amplified interest by showcasing real-time results and user testimonials. According to Grand View Research, the light therapy market is projected to grow to £360M by 2030.
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I’ve used LED face masks (hello, clear, smooth skin!) and even for pain relief (goodbye, shoulder blade pinch!). So, when I discovered LED light could stimulate hair growth, I was intrigued. Enter: the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet, my companion in battling traction alopecia caused by one too many high ponytails. After six months of use, here’s my experience – and why you might want to give your scalp the LED treatment.
- What it is: A red-light-emitting device designed to reduce scalp inflammation, boost blood flow, and improve hair density and thickness. It’s clinically proven to increase hair count by 33 per cent in 16 weeks and hair growth rate by 128 per cent in 12 weeks.
- Device type: Helmet
- Target treatment area: The entire scalp
- Treatment time: 10 minutes
- FDA-cleared, emits red light at 620-660nm, protective charging base, USB-powered, and available in two sizes for a comfortable fit.
CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet
- Why it’s -approved:
If hair growth is a concern for you, then this is the LED mask you should try. Clinically proven to increase hair growth rate by a huge 128 per cent in 12 weeks, it may look a little out-of-this-world, but the results it delivers more than make up for it. Emitting a spectrum of red light (from 620-660nm), it supercharges energy in the hair follicles, reduces inflammation (which is responsible for so many of our hair and scalp issues) and boosts scalp blood flow, thereby promoting hair growth.
It works especially well when paired with hair growth treatments – make sure you use it for 10 minutes a day for optimal results. “Hair thinning is something that has affected me since having children, and as anyone who has experienced it will tell you, it can be really demoralising. I love that this is simple to use but has such efficacious clinical trials behind it. I wear mine while watching a box set in the evening and barely notice it is on.” – contributing editor, Georgia Day
Key specs:
- Red (between 620 and 660nm)
Hair, Face, and Neck Series 3 Bundle
Why this deal is -approved: In this bundle, you will find three of the beauty team’s top CurrentBody devices with a discount of nearly £160. This includes the hair growth helmet, the newly unveiled Series 3 LED face mask and the neck mask for red light therapy from head to the décolleté.
About the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet
The CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet uses red light therapy at a wavelength of 660nm, to deeply penetrate into the scalp. This increases blood flow and decreases dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, a hormone linked to hair loss. Laurence Newman, the CEO and co-founder of CurrentBody, explains: “The helmet stimulates the anagen phase, which helps hair grow faster and healthier over time.”
Designed with convenience in mind, the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet is user-friendly and easy to integrate into your routine. While other devices like the iRestore Professional feature more LED diodes (282 compared to CurrentBody’s 120), Dr Dusan Sajic, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sajic Skin, clarifies, “Effectiveness is determined by wavelength and power density, not the number of LEDs.” Although the CurrentBody helmet may not be the most powerful option on the market, it stands out for its ease of use, thoughtful design, and overall affordability relative to in-office treatments. Newman notes, it’s also “the only LED brand to fully own end-to-end production of [its] devices,” meaning it owns and manages the engineering, product development, manufacturing, and even boasts a dedicated regulatory team.
The helmet is available in two sizes – small/medium and medium/large – for a more comfortable fit for a range of head sizes. It includes a dedicated charging stand that’s powered by a USB cord, making recharging simple. It also has Bluetooth capabilities, so you can listen to your Spotify playlist or keep up with your favourite Netflix show. As a wireless device, it offers complete freedom of movement without the hassle of cords or plugs.
How to use the CurrentBody LED hair device
For optimal results, ensure your scalp and hair are clean and dry, with little to no product. A great option is the dpHue Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub, as it’s a gentle yet effective clarifying scrub that removes product build-up, excess oil, and dandruff to allow the light diodes to penetrate your hair follicles and scalp more effectively. Growing up, my mum would make an apple cider vinegar rinse as a pre-treatment for my scalp – I consider dpHue’s the grown-up version. I use a scalp scrub with ACV at least once a month to really revive my scalp. Based on what my mum taught me (and derms have confirmed), ACV is an ultimate scalp cleanser and removes product build-up, but because it also balances the pH of your scalp, it can help keep dandruff at bay.
Personally, I always use my CurrentBody LED hair device after wash day, once I’ve finished blow-drying my hair. It’s important to avoid using the device on wet hair or scalp because water can create a barrier on your scalp and strands, and can diffuse or even prevent LED light from accessing your scalp and hair follicles. I have used the device when my hair is in box braids, and the LED light accesses my scalp well.
To turn on the helmet, simply press the button located on the right ear. It automatically turns off after 10 minutes (the suggested treatment time). If you’re looking for a distraction, you can connect the device to Bluetooth – just power it on, select “CurrentBody” when it appears, and you’re connected. As someone who doesn’t consider herself particularly tech-savvy, this was so easy to set up and use. I keep my CurrentBody LED hair device on its charging port. I’ve never really had to “recharge” the device. When it does need charging, the helmet beeps to let you know – it takes about 2.5 hours to fully recharge.
Built for longevity, the helmet is designed to last up to 10 years with proper care. To keep it in top condition, Newman recommends cleaning it regularly with a soft, damp cloth to remove oils or debris, storing it in a cool, dry place to protect the LEDs and internal components, and avoiding dropping it or exposure to excessive moisture.
My experience with the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet
A friend recommended the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet when I mentioned my traction alopecia, which both my hairstylist and a trichologist identified. As a beauty editor, I already knew my options (like minoxidil and PRP treatment), but I felt the easiest to keep up was the red light. And I wanted to start there first before beginning medicine or getting injections. Along with a healthy diet and solid haircare – like the right serums and oils for my scalp – I wondered if I could reverse my traction alopecia, preserve my edges, and address years of breakage from my delicate 4B/4C curls? In my case, the answer is yes, as long as you’re consistent and make the time. And by consistent, I mean using it day, as CurrentBody recommends, if you want to guarantee results.
When my CurrentBody device arrived, it came in a large box with a charging station where the helmet sits (it looks cool and futuristic in my room). I charged it for the recommended 2.5 hours, although it already had some charge, and I didn’t need to recharge it for almost 3 weeks. While the device appears heavy, it’s actually very lightweight, and I can walk around wearing it with ease. I have the medium/large size. It’s not adjustable in terms of tightening or loosening, but you can move it up or down and tilt it back and forth for the perfect fit.
The helmet has several suction cups down the middle to help with stability and to keep the LED lights from physically touching my scalp and hair. The ear design is like headphones – cushioned and comfortable. It covers my scalp all the way to the nape of my neck, and I’ve noticed that it also hits my forehead, which helps with superficial wrinkles at the top of my forehead as a bonus benefit.
Photo: Courtesy of Danielle James
I’ve worn the helmet while cleaning my home, watching TV, listening to music, and chatting on FaceTime with friends. It’s wireless and hands-free, so it’s convenient – I don’t need to set aside a specific time to use it. For about six months, I used the device five times a week. However, I travel frequently, and the helmet is delicate – too delicate for checked luggage – so I worried about damaging it while en route. That made it hard to stick to the recommended 10 minutes a day. If you travel a lot, consider a portable device like the Laduora Duo 4-in-1 Pod-Based Scalp Hair Care Device, which offers red light therapy, microcurrent stimulation, scalp massage, and therapeutic warmth. The Laduora is a handheld device, so not only is it portable, but it’s also better suited for targeting your treatment area. However, I still prefer the CurrentBody because I can set it and forget it, and my entire scalp gets the LED benefits.
When I first started using the CurrentBody, my hair was in box braids, and I wasn’t sure if I could use it with synthetic hair or product on my scalp. You can use it with protective styles, but for the best results, the red light needs direct access to your scalp. This is easier with box braids but harder with a full closure weave.
CurrentBody recommends using the device on a clean scalp, but I’ve had no issues using it with products. Personally, I wouldn’t oil my scalp and then use the device immediately, but the next day, no problem. My rule of thumb: If I can see product buildup or flakes on my scalp, I know I’m not getting the full benefits of the device. The red light needs the best access possible to your scalp to deeply penetrate. One note: If you have long hair, there is a chance that it may get tangled in the device – to help avoid that, I recommend parting your hair in four and putting it up in buns.
CurrentBody guarantees results within 16 weeks – or your money back – and it took me about 12 weeks to see changes. Within 6 weeks, I noticed less shedding. By week 8, the overall health of my hair improved: it looked shinier, stronger, and just felt better. By week 20, I noticed new growth. I believe I would have seen it sooner if I’d used the device daily. “With hair growth, you have to be realistic,” says Newman. “A good result is if it doesn’t make your problem worse. This is especially true with hair loss – if you can halt the loss process with this device and your hair looks the same after two years as it did at the start of your journey, that’s a good result. You’ve paused the loss.”
Length check in February 2024.
Photo: Courtesy of Danielle James
Length check in February 2025
Photo: Courtesy of Danielle JamesTo support my hair growth, I paired the device with a solid hair care routine that I’ve over time crafted through personal testing. I use a hydrating shampoo from Cécred, along with its conditioner, Saphira Hair Mineral+ Mud Mask for deep treatments, hot oil treatments with Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil, and JVN Rapid Repair Bond Gloss for stronger strands and a mirror-like shine. I’ve also fallen in love with scalp serums, like Canviiy Scalp Bliss Restorative Growth Serum And Nutrafol Hair Serum, which work with the device for even better results. Dr Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, reveals that because light therapy is non-invasive, results may take longer “compared to in-office treatments or medications like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and minoxidil. And while minoxidil has long been a “go-to” for treating hair loss because of its potency, Dr Engelman warns that “it may cause side effects such as irritation and dryness.” She adds that PRP requires multiple sessions with a medical professional, and can be more costly than a device. In addition to my products, I wash my hair regularly and opt for styles with minimal manipulation.
Read more: The Best Oils For Hair Growth That Actually Work, According To Trichologists
Mineral Mud Deep Healing Hair Treatment
Read more: Experts On The Best Hair Masks For Damaged Hair
Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
The CurrentBody hair device has become a regular part of my routine – not daily, but like a workout: 3-4 times a week, or more if I’m feeling ambitious. Recently, I had my hair done, and my stylist noticed that my crown is now mostly filled in. The shorter hairs give it away, but after eight months of consistent use, my scalp no longer shows the glaring effects of past hairstyle choices. With the CurrentBody helmet supporting my hair health, I’ve grown more daring with my styles – though I’m still careful not to put too much stress on my scalp and strands. I even confidently cut off two inches, knowing I could regain the length in a reasonable amount of time. While I’m grateful for the regrowth, length, and thickness, it’s the freedom to experiment with my hair that I value most.
Is the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet FDA-approved?
The helmet is FDA-cleared, which means it has been evaluated and deemed both safe and effective in increasing hair thickness and density, in comparison to other LED hair growth devices. While FDA-approved products undergo extensive clinical trials, CurrentBody has also conducted independent clinical trials to support the device's efficacy.
How often should you use the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet?
For guaranteed results within 16 weeks – or your money back (minus a 10 per cent restocking fee) – you should use the helmet every day.
Does LED light help hair growth?
Yes, according to Dr Engelman. However, she emphasises that consistency is key when using LED devices. For the best results, it’s important to use the device daily for several months to improve both scalp and hair health.
Read more: Everything You Need To Know About The Best Derma Rollers For Hair Growth
What colour LED is best for hair growth?
Dr Sajic explains that red light is most effective for hair growth. It helps “increase blood flow and stimulate cells in dormant follicles,” while also reducing inflammation and promoting overall scalp health.
How does an LED hair growth helmet work?
“It works by boosting cellular regeneration and stimulating follicle strength to improve overall scalp health,” says Dr Engelman. “It can also prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, encouraging thicker, fuller hair,” she adds.
How long does it take to see results from an LED hair growth helmet?
Hair growth requires consistent use over several months, not weeks. “Typically, it takes about six months of consistent use to see results,” says Dr Sajic. He adds that even a 30 per cent improvement is hard to detect with the naked eye. Dr Sajic recommends looking for additional signs of progress, such as “reduced shedding, thicker hair shafts, and gradual regrowth.” Thicker, shinier hair and an improved scalp condition – like reduced flaking and redness – are also visible signs that the device is working.
Dr Sajic notes that the effectiveness of LED light therapy can vary depending on the underlying cause of hair loss and individual factors. “Most studies have focused on hormonal or androgenetic hair loss,” he explains. “If your hair loss is stress-induced, such as Telogen Effluvium, LED therapy may not work and could be a waste of money.” He adds that while early studies on scarring alopecia and alopecia areata show promising results, it’s still too soon to recommend LED therapy for these conditions.
Who is the ideal candidate for using an LED hair growth helmet?
If you’re looking for a non-invasive, at-home solution for hair loss, an LED hair growth helmet may be right for you. Dr Sajic recommends it for patients with hormonal pattern hair loss. However, he advises those with conditions like photosensitivity or skin disorders to avoid using the helmet. If you are taking photosensitising medications, he recommends using the device with caution. LED light is considered safe to use during pregnancy; however, as always, it’s best to consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.