If you’ve noticed hair loss and you’ve been reading about red light therapy for hair loss, you might be wondering whether it’s worth trying. This page doesn’t tell you whether a device will suit you, because that’s a decision for you and your doctor. Instead, it covers why finding the cause comes first, when to see a doctor, questions worth asking and the checks worth making before using any device.
Hair loss can have many different causes, so the best first step is to see your GP. They can look into what’s behind it and refer you to a dermatologist if needed, before you try any device.
This is general information, not medical advice.
Why is a GP the best first step if you notice hair loss?
There are many causes of hair loss, from genetics and medical conditions to hormonal changes and environmental triggers.[1] Because the cause can vary so much, working out what’s behind it comes first.[2]
The Australasian College of Dermatologists says that if you notice a concerning change in your hair, you should see your GP, “who will check your general health and any causes for concern. They may refer you to a dermatologist.”[2] healthdirect gives similar advice: “Talk to your doctor if you’re worried about hair loss. Your doctor might refer you to a dermatologist.”[1]
Searching “red light therapy hair loss” online brings up a lot of confident claims. A doctor who has examined you can give advice that fits you, which a website or a device box can’t.
What can cause hair loss?
According to healthdirect, hair loss can be linked to a range of things, including:[1]
- genetics
- medical conditions
- hormonal changes
- stress
- medicines
- damage to your hair, including from tight hairstyles
Better Health Channel notes that “it is natural to lose some hair each day.”[3] So some shedding is normal, and a doctor can tell you whether what you’re noticing is more than that.
This page doesn’t describe options for any type of hair loss. Your GP or dermatologist can talk you through what suits you.
When is it a good idea to see a doctor about hair loss?
healthdirect says, “It is normal to lose around 100 hairs a day.” It adds: “If you think you are losing a lot more hair than usual or that it is falling out in clumps, you should talk to your doctor.”[1]
The Australasian College of Dermatologists lists signs worth discussing with a doctor, including:[2]
- an itchy or flaky scalp
- smooth patches of hair loss
- loss of hair from other areas, such as eyebrows, lashes, beard or body hair
If you’re unsure, it’s reasonable to book a GP appointment and ask.
What questions could you ask your GP or dermatologist about light-based devices?
Writing a few questions down before your appointment can make it easier. You might ask:
- What do you think is causing my hair loss?
- Is a light-based device suitable for my type of hair loss, or would you advise against it?
- Could anything in my health history, or any medicines I take, matter if I use a light device?
- What does the evidence on red light therapy for hair loss say, and how much weight would you put on it?
- If I did use a device, what settings, session length and frequency would you be comfortable with?
- What signs would mean I should stop and come back to see you?
Your doctor is the right person to talk through red light therapy hair loss evidence with you. This page doesn’t summarise it.
How do you check a device’s ARTG listing and use it as directed?
If you’re looking at red light therapy for hair loss in Australia, check whether the device is listed on the ARTG (Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods), and read what its listing says the device is intended for. Our TGA and ARTG explainer explains how to search the register and what a listing does and doesn’t mean. For what wavelength, irradiance and dose mean on a specification sheet, see how to choose a device.
Is red light therapy safe for hair? There’s no simple yes or no, and this page has no hair-specific safety source. Some general comfort and safety points apply to any light device:
- Follow the maker’s instructions for distance, session time and how often to use it.
- Watch for heat. Stop if the device feels too hot or uncomfortable.
- Protect your eyes. Don’t look directly into the light, and use any eye protection supplied.
- Stop if irritation happens, and talk to your GP or dermatologist.
healthdirect also notes that if you have hair loss and your scalp is more exposed, “you will need to protect your head from sun damage.”[1] A red light device isn’t sun protection. For how red light compares with sunlight, see comparisons.
For more general safety information, see is red light therapy safe?
Where can you find reliable information and support?
- Your GP. They’re the best first contact, and they can refer you to a dermatologist.
- A dermatologist. Better Health Channel describes dermatologists as specialists in the skin, hair and nails, and lists your GP, a dermatologist and the Australasian College of Dermatologists as places to get help.[3]
- healthdirect and Better Health Channel. Both have plain-English information about hair loss.[1][3]
- The Australasian College of Dermatologists. Its patient information pages cover skin and hair.[2]
- Ahpra’s register of practitioners. Ahpra says: “When a health practitioner’s name appears on the list, you know that they are allowed to practise.”[4]
Hair loss can affect how you feel. healthdirect says: “If you are finding it difficult to cope with your hair loss, speak to your doctor or a mental health professional.”[1]
For how red light is thought to work in general, see how red light works. For terms like wavelength and irradiance, see the glossary. For skin topics, see what results to expect for your skin, rosacea and scarring. If you’re new, start with the library hub.
FAQ
Is red light therapy for hair loss right for me? That’s a question for your GP or dermatologist. Hair loss has many causes, and finding the cause comes first.[1][2]
Is red light therapy safe for hair loss? This page doesn’t have a hair-specific safety source. Follow the maker’s instructions, protect your eyes, stop if anything feels too hot or irritated, and ask your doctor first. See is red light therapy safe?
What does the research on red light therapy for hair say? This page doesn’t summarise research. Ask your GP or dermatologist what the evidence says and how it applies to you.
How much hair loss is normal? healthdirect says it’s normal to lose around 100 hairs a day. Talk to your doctor if you’re losing a lot more than usual or it’s falling out in clumps.[1]
How do I check a practitioner is registered? Search Ahpra’s register of practitioners.[4]
If you’re worried about hair loss, please talk with your GP or a dermatologist. Finding the cause comes first, and they can advise what’s right for you.
Related reading on our blog
- What is red light therapy? A beginner’s guide
- Red light therapy side effects and safety: what to know first
Sources
- healthdirect. Alopecia: causes and treatment (last reviewed August 2024). https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/conditions/hair-problems/alopecia
- Australasian College of Dermatologists. 7 Days of Skin Health, Day 2: Hair. https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/7-days-of-skin-health/day-2-hair/
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Hair. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/hair
- Ahpra. Register of practitioners. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx
