Narrow-band red LED light promotes mouse hair growth through paracrine growth factors from dermal papilla
December 2011
in “Journal of Dermatological Science”
TLDR Red LED light helps mouse hair grow by increasing growth factors from skin cells.
In the 2011 study, researchers found that narrow-band red LED light at 638 nm significantly promoted hair growth in mice and increased the expression of growth factors in human dermal papilla cells in vitro. The treated mice showed larger hair regrowth areas and signs of entering the anagen phase, while the human cells exhibited higher mRNA levels of HGF, Leptin, VEGF-A, and lower levels of TNF-a, with corresponding protein level changes confirmed by ELISA. The study concluded that red LED light could be an effective and convenient treatment for hair loss, potentially acting through the upregulation of specific growth factors from dermal papilla cells.
View this study on doi.org →
Cited in this study
research Types of Hair Loss and Treatment Options, Including the Novel Low-Level Light Therapy and Its Proposed Mechanism
Hair loss treatments include medications and new methods like low-level light therapy, which may work by boosting cell activity and blood flow.
research The Hair Follicle as a Dynamic Miniorgan
Hair follicles are complex, dynamic mini-organs that help us understand cell growth, death, migration, and differentiation, as well as tissue regeneration and tumor biology.
research The use of low-level light for hair growth: Part I
research Medical treatments for male and female pattern hair loss
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.
research Control of hair growth and follicle size by VEGF-mediated angiogenesis
VEGF helps hair grow and determines follicle size by increasing blood vessel growth.