Does Hair Block Red Light Therapy? – Things to Consider Before Use

Introduction: Does Hair Block Red Light Therapy?

Individuals worldwide utilize red light therapy for various reasons. Red light therapy, which employs specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, treats a wide range of diseases, disorders, and their associated symptoms. It is also extensively utilized in the cosmetics industry, not just for skin renewal but also for hair health.

Yes, red light therapy can effectively treat hair loss conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, by stimulating the cells in hair follicles. Still, a shared concern that arises when applying red light therapy to hair growth—or to areas with hair that are not subject to removal—is whether hair prevents red light therapy from working.

The red and near-infrared light employed in this treatment must pass through the skin and into the cells to be effective. Any hair or other material on the skin can interfere with the absorption of light. The amount of hair that can block red light will depend on three broad factors: thickness, density, and color.

In this article, we'll show you how hair responds to red light, what the science is behind it, and how you can still get the best out of your red light therapy treatments, even with hair in the way.

How Red Light Therapy Works

Red light therapy is a non-surgical and drug-free method that employs no chemicals, sharp needles, or cutting incisions into your body. So, what does it do? It accomplishes its effects by applying special wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. It primarily employs red light between about 610–670 nm and near-infrared light between 810–1064 nm. These ranges of light penetrate the skin and get deep into the tissues. With this range of red and near-infrared light, the skin is not a barrier.

When these ranges hit the deep tissues, they stimulate the activity of mitochondria. This activation enables mitochondria to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the cellular currency of energy and does all the essential functions of the cell. It also causes the cells to repair and regenerate normally. With this, red light therapy causes the damaged cells to heal more quickly. And as you are aware, the cell is the fundamental unit of your body—if your cells are healthy, then you are healthy.

Red light therapy also improves blood flow and reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and pain. It aids these natural healing processes to make you healthy naturally. Additionally, these mechanisms also contribute to healthier hair growth by improving cellular energy, enhancing oxygen delivery, and reducing inflammation surrounding hair follicles.

Can Hair Interfere with Red Light Penetration?

Yes, hair does interfere with the penetration of red and near-infrared light to some degree. To be effective, the red light has to penetrate and reach the skin. Hair, however, can be a barrier in the process. Imagine this way: if you have hair on your hand and attempt to put an ointment on a skin problem, part of the ointment will catch in the hair and not cover the skin as much. Likewise, the thicker, denser, and darker hair will deflect and scatter more light than finer or thinner hair. It could stop the light from traveling directly to the skin, particularly to the scalp, chest, or legs. Although hair does not fully absorb red light, it lessens its intensity and restricts the effectiveness of the treatment. This is why hair splitting or shaving of the area, in some cases, is advised, depending on the desired effect of the treatment, to enable the light to reach the skin directly.

Scientific Perspective on Hair and Light Absorption

Scientifically, hair can partly reduce the effects of red light therapy by virtue of its ability to absorb and scatter light. The extent to which it does depends on several factors, including thickness, density, and pigmentation of the hair. Darker hair—black hair—is more absorbent owing to its high melanin levels. If your hair is thick and dense, red and near-infrared light may not reach, as some of the light is scattered or absorbed by the hair.

As you may be aware, the surface of hair is not as smooth as that of the skin;  red light therapy can scatter in different directions. Scattering means fewer lights going directly into the tissues where they're needed. Even though red and near-infrared light possess great penetrability in biological tissue, any external covering, like hair, will reduce their intensity and penetrability. However, if you have light-colored or white hair and fine hair, it does not significantly reduce the effectiveness of red light therapy.

Areas Commonly Affected by Hair Coverage

Several areas of your body have naturally occurring hair. Although individuals often use hair removal techniques to improve their appearance by shaving off excess hair, some areas naturally have hair, which can impact the effectiveness of red light therapy. The following are the most important areas in which hair can thwart the efficiency of treatment:

Scalp: The scalp is the most heavily haired part of the body, particularly in men. Baldness is not always an option, and shaving is not always desirable. Thick hair on the scalp can, however, cut down on the light that will reach the skin and hair follicles, which is essential for hair regrowth therapies.

Chest: Dense chest hair is common for many individuals—especially men—and they may not even want to shave it. This hair will absorb and scatter some of the red light and near-infrared, which is problematic if you're using therapy for cardiovascular problems or rib well-being.

Legs: Although leg hair tends to be thinner, it will still scatter light if not shaved, particularly for those with thicker or darker hair. This will decrease the efficiency of the therapy a bit.

Arms and Underarms: These regions typically have average hair growth. If you are using red light therapy to recover from muscle or skin issues in these areas, the hair may somewhat detract from how deeply the light is able to penetrate the skin.

Face (Beard Area): For men, the hair in the beard and mustache area can prevent red light from penetrating effectively into the skin. This is particularly applicable for treatments involving acne, anti-aging, or correction of skin tone.

Tips to Maximize Red Light Therapy Through Hair

If you are treating hairy regions using red light, the following are a couple of things that you can do to get the best results:

Part the Hair

When treating hair, your scalp should be visible to the red light. You can part the hair with a comb or a hairbrush to open up more of the skin underneath. This allows the light to go directly to the hair follicles.

Shave or Trim if Possible

If you're working on arms, legs, or chest with red light therapy, you can try shaving or trimming the hair. This lets the light enter the open skin unimpeded.

Use Better Penetrating Red Light Devices

Your device should be from a reputable company, such as RLT Home. Better devices have sufficient power output to allow red and near-infrared light to penetrate deep into tissues easily.

Should You Shave or Part Hair Before Treatment?

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Best Practices for Red Light Therapy on Hairy Areas

If you are treating areas of the body that have hair—such as the scalp, chest, arms, or legs—you need to make a few slight adjustments to receive maximum benefit.

Start by cleaning the hair and the skin. Ensure there are no oils, lotions, or hair products, as they can act as an obstacle and weaken the way light interacts with the skin.

Next, attempt to expose as much skin as possible. On the scalp, carefully comb or spread the hair apart using your fingers or a comb so that light can reach the roots and follicles. For places such as the chest or legs, trim or shave the hair, particularly if it is thick or dark, as this type of hair is likely to absorb or reflect more light.

Additionally, use a high-quality red light therapy device from RLT Home, featuring the correct wavelength and intensity. There are devices designed to emit light that penetrates deeper into the skin, making them more effective even with light hair.

Conclusion: Optimizing Red Light Results Despite Hair

How to use red light therapy for hair growth?

You can use red light therapy for hair growth by choosing the right red light therapy device, such as one from RLT Home. Before starting, ensure your hair and scalp are clean, removing any oils or hair products you typically use. After that, part your hair to expose as much of the scalp as possible. Lastly, be consistent with your sessions to achieve the best results.

Does hair block red light therapy for black hair?

Yes, black hair will absorb some of the red light, which is used in red light therapy. Darker hair contains more pigment (melanin) that absorbs more light. Hence, less light is distributed to the scalp or skin underneath black hair.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can red light therapy work through hair?

Yes, red light therapy can work through hair, but its effectiveness may be reduced. Thick, dense, or dark hair can absorb or block some of the light, preventing it from reaching the skin or hair follicles.

What blocks red light therapy?

Anything that acts as a barrier on the skin can block red light therapy, such as sunscreen, thick lotions, oils, makeup, and clothing. Ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and silicones are especially known to reflect or absorb red light.

Does infrared pass through hair?

Yes, infrared light can pass through hair, but only to a limited extent. Thick, dense, or dark hair can absorb and scatter some of the infrared light, which may prevent you from receiving its full benefits.

Can I do a red light on wet hair?

It is better to avoid using red light therapy on wet hair because water and hair act as barriers and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Reference

1. The growth of human scalp hair mediated by visible red light laser and LED sources in males.
2. In brief: What is the structure of hair, and how does it grow?