There are several LED hair growth gadgets on the market, starting $50 product on AliExpress which is ‘bought into the model for a grotesque comic effect, for $2,500 Hair Spectrumwhich boasts a strong array of laser diodes. Contrary to what I would suspect, women are the main user group for LED hair growth therapy. As I explained, women are used to spending money on their looks, and thin hair is often a problem. Men, on the other hand, tend to take the approach I did and announce it all, then go about their day.
Photo: Martin Cizmar
I agreed to test cleared by the FDA GroWellwhich is in the middle of the $550 price range. It has a total of 63 diodes, including 24 lasers and 39 LEDs. In addition to its attractive price, among graphics exporters and well-selling products that cost almost as much as the last MacBook Pro, GroWell stands out by providing treatment at a level supported by clinical research without an excessive approach that can be ineffective.
Also, unlike hat style hats on the marketit’s an entry-level control unit with a small 1,800 mAh Li-ion battery, which GroWell says should be good for several years of regular use. Because it’s in three small pieces (a control pack that’s the size of an old Motorola Razr, a USB-C cable, and a flat pad that’s only as thick as a piece of cardboard), it’s easy to fold up and pack for a trip. That’s clutch, as you don’t want to miss a treat when you travel. (Note that if you stop using the device, your follicles will return to their original state.)
Growing pains?
It couldn’t be easier to use: Place the light pad inside the provided helmet or your own, connect it via USB-C to the controller, and press the button. It will light up for the next 25 minutes while you go about your business. Because it goes on your own helmet, the fit can be imperfect, and I found myself adjusting a bunch, which probably wouldn’t happen with some hat style accessories.
In 2013 studythe amount and time provided by GroWell every other day of use over 16 weeks helped everyone in the study regrow some hair, on average 35 percent more in men and 37 percent in women. The study showed that using more powerful lasers for longer periods of time may slow growth slightly. I’m just estimating here, but I’d guess I have at least 30 percent more hair than I would have without the treatment, and maybe more.
