Can a helmet or a cap with a bunch of tiny light bulbs in it stop your hair loss and even regrow thicker, fuller hair?
Do laser hair growth caps and helmets work?
According to both science and thousands of success stories, the answer is YES.
That’s why many doctors and hair restoration specialists recommend laser caps to their patients.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been clinically proven to treat androgenetic alopecia, prevent hair thinning, and regrow hair in as little as 16 weeks.
And the best part?
Laser caps are non-invasive, painless, and completely safe—stimulating hair follicles naturally.
💡 In a hurry? Here are the top FDA-cleared laser hair caps compared:
In this post, you’ll find the 6 best FDA-cleared laser hair caps and helmets for hair regrowth, their pros and cons, and a full comparison between them – to help you make the best choice for your needs.
This post may contain affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
👉 Compare Laser Caps with Laser Combs
Overview
How Do Laser Caps Help Regrow Hair?
Clinical studies show that LLLT increases hair density by 39%-51% in just 16 weeks.
Hair grows in cycles:
- Anagen (growth phase)
- Telogen (resting phase)
- Catagen (shedding phase)
When this cycle is disrupted, hair loss occurs.
Laser therapy reawakens dormant follicles, improving blood circulation and boosting energy production – similar to how plants need sunlight to grow.
Laser hair growth caps provide this energy to the hair follicles and “wake them up”.
👀 Want to dive deeper? See how red light therapy works for hair loss.
What is the Best Wavelength for Hair Growth?
According to studies, the best wavelength for hair growth is between 630nm and 660nm.
Red light therapy with a wavelength of 650nm has been found to be the most effective and practical wavelength for stimulating hair growth, which is why most laser hair devices use this exact wavelength.
The 6 Best Laser Hair Growing Caps & Helmets (Reviewed)
Below you’ll find the top 6 laser hair growth caps (and helmets) compared, followed by our review, and the pros and cons of each laser hair growth device.
All the laser caps you’ll find here have been clinically shown to:
- Grow new hair.
- Double the follicle diameter of existing hair (reverses miniaturization).
- Slow (and even stop) hair loss.
1. Kiierr Laser Cap – Best Overall
- Treatment time – 30 minutes every other day
- Lasers – 272, full coverage
- Irradiance – 1360 mW’s
- Trial time – 7 months
✅ Pros – Many positive reviews and success stories online, safe and side-effect-free, reasonably priced, many uses per charge, great for travel, high strength, long trial period, FDA-cleared
❌ Cons – Some users report slow results
With code MOSTPOPULAR200 (free shipping!)
The FDA-cleared Kiierr Laser Cap has 272 medical-grade lasers concealed inside a sports cap (full scalp coverage) with a total output of 1360 mW, and guarantees to stop hair loss dead in its tracks within 30-90 days, followed by regrowth of new, thicker hair within 180 days.
The Kiierr works on AA batteries and is completely hands-free and portable.
Treatment time is 30 minutes every other day, and the cap is 100% hands-free and portable, so you can walk around freely while doing the treatments.
The combination of the highest strength and a reasonable price makes it our top pick for 2025.
Kiierr’s customer service is responsive and reliable, and you get a long free trial – 7 months.
This is quite enough to protect your investment and shows how confident Kiierr is about the hair growth results you can achieve.
Kiierr offers 3 models – one with 148 lasers, the other with 272 lasers, and the third with 272 lasers and larger coverage, or complete hair regrowth bundles – with DHT-blocking shampoo, DHT-blocking vitamins, and hair growth conditioner.
We were very impressed with the genuine customer reviews and their before and after pictures, showing remarkable hair growth!
The DHT-blocking supplement is 100% natural and contains Saw Palmetto, Horsetail Extract, and zinc formula to help slow/inhibit 5-AR enzyme conversion to DHT (which is suspected to cause hair loss).
Available at Kiierr ($599 with coupon code MOSTPOPULAR200) and on Amazon ($748)
2. HairMax 272 PowerFlex Laser Cap – Longest Trial
- Treatment time – 7 minutes – 3 times a week
- Lasers – 272, full coverage
- Irradiance – 1360 mW’s
- Trial time – 6 months
✅ Pros – Portable and convenient with a rechargeable battery pack, reputable brand, FDA-cleared, high-strength, comfortable
❌ Cons – Expensive, some complaints about battery life per charge
This cap delivers the same 272 lasers as Kiierr but requires just 7 minutes per session, 3 times a week.
The high price may not be worth it unless time saving is a top priority.
Why is it so much pricier?
The Powerflex has dual operating mode technology, allowing a choice of constant or pulsing laser lightwave for a 15-minute or 30-minute treatment.
Also, the treatments are needed just three times weekly, and you get the longest free trial in the industry—one year.
The flexible design, which looks like a regular sports cap, is 100% portable and comes with a built-in rechargeable battery pack.
The silicone inserts (water-resistant for easy cleaning) conceal the 272 lasers and internal circuitry while protecting and keeping the diodes clean.
Treatment time is 15-30 minutes – 3 times a week – and you can choose a constant or pulsating laser with the dual operating mode.
The HairMax Laser Cap helps restore your hair’s natural growth cycle by promoting blood circulation and oxygen while boosting DHT elimination (high levels of DHT can cause hair loss) – resulting in increased density, fullness, and growth.
Available on Amazon ($1499)
👉 Lower-cost alternative – The HairMax LaserBand 82 – which costs much less and only requires a 90-second treatment – 3 times a week (but less coverage)!
3. illumiFlow 272 Laser Cap Longest Warranty
- Treatment time – 30 minutes – 3-4 times a week
- Lasers – 272, full coverage
- Irradiance – 1360 mW’s
- Trial time – 6 months, 5-year warranty
✅ Pros – flexible and comfortable, long warranty, up to 20,000 treatments, high strength, FDA-cleared, reasonable price
❌ Cons – made from 2 pieces that can come apart if you are not careful
With code LOVE
The illumiFlow Laser Cap promises to “regrow your confidence – or your money back”, offering a 6-month money-back guarantee and a 5-year warranty on all laser phototherapy caps.
Results are expected within 4-6 months of treatment, and the first result to expect is a reduction in hair loss, followed by new, thickened hair growth.
The FDA-cleared IllumiFlow is also designed as a sports cap and is 100% portable and discrete.
It’s simple to use: all you have to do is connect the cap to your charged battery pack, place it on your head (it has full coverage), and flip the switch to start your 30-minute treatment.
The 272-laser model costs much less than the HairMax PowerFlex and will last for 20,000 full-scalp treatments.
Want to see an Illumiflow unboxing? check it out below:
Available at Illumiflow ($649 with code LOVE), and on Amazon ($695)
4. iRestore Essential – Best Helmet
- Treatment time – 25 minutes – 3 times a week
- Lasers & LEDs – 120 LEDs (655 nm) – top scalp, hairline & crown coverage
- Irradiance – 600 mW’s
- Trial time – 12 months (longest on the market!)
I’m not a fan of the helmet. It’s made of rigid plastic and you can’t wear it while you are out and about.
It also doesn’t mold to the shape of your head.
However, the price is lower for these types of laser hair growth devices.
Unlike caps, this rigid helmet-style device has 120 lasers & LEDs and has been clinically proven to increase hair count by 43% in 16 weeks. However, it has less coverage than laser caps.
The FDA-Cleared iRestore hair loss laser treatment helmet was designed for both men and women with a receding hairline, balding, and thinning hair.
The 120 medical-grade lasers and LEDs inside the helmet radiate light energy that is absorbed by the hair follicles to enhance cell metabolism rate and reactivate follicles to stimulate hair growth.
Dermatologist Dr. Andrea Suarez has had wonderful results with the iRestore helmet, and during her 18-month journey with the iGrow has noticed an increase in hair strength, reduced hair breakage, and an increase in hair thickness, particularly in her ponytail.
Available at iRESTORE ($499)
5. Higher Dose Red Light Hat – New & Trending
- Treatment time – 10 minutes daily
- LEDs – 120 LEDs (650 nm), full coverage
- Trial time – 120 days
✅ Pros – Cordless, looks like a normal baseball cap, easy to use, trusted brand
❌ Cons – Less power, only a 4-month trial
HigherDOSE specializes in developing wellness devices that utilize infrared light therapy technology, and I also recommend their excellent infrared sauna blanket.
About a year ago the founders (Lauren Berlingeri and Katie Kaps) released their cordless Red Light Hat, with 120 Medical-Grade LED bulbs and zero EMF radiation.
The Red Light Hat looks just like a baseball cap you see on a sunny day (it is cordless), it’s comfortable, and it only requires 10 minutes of treatment daily (for 16 weeks) to see some great results, including less hair shedding, and increased hair growth and hair thickness.
The price is lower than all laser caps on the market, but the return period if unsatisfied is the shortest – only 120 days.
It’s also super easy to use – to turn on the light, all you have to do is press the power button on a small remote and then attach that remote to a set of magnets on the back of the hat.
When the session is done, the hat beeps so that you know you take it off, peel off the red lights (a great option!), or remove the remote.
Available at Higher Dose ($449)
6. Theradome Hair Growth Helmet
- Treatment time – 30 minutes – 3-4 times a week
- Lasers – 80 (670 nm), partial coverage
- Trial time – 30 days
✅ Pros – 80 lasers (no LEDs), fully cordless, treatment counter, lightweight, fits all head sizes
❌ Cons – More expensive, only a 30-day trial, mixed reviews
The Theradome has 80 medical-grade lasers (678 nm low-level laser) to be exact – and no LEDs.
This means that potentially, you will get quicker and better results than the iGrow and the iRestore.
If used as directed, Theradome claims to stop hair loss within 18-26 weeks, regrow hair within 28-52 weeks, and provide fuller, thicker hair after 100 weeks.
Also, the Theradome is cordless (comes with rechargeable batteries), meaning you are free to walk around with it.
And that’s not all:
Theradome is manufactured in the USA and is recommended by hair rejuvenation experts such as Bosley and HairClub.
Available on Amazon ($995)
Capillus Laser Cap Review – Why Pay More?
The Capillus company, which sells 3 low-level laser hats/caps, claims that you’ll regrow your hair – in only 6 minutes a day.
And the price matches the claim – almost $450 for the 82-laser one, and almost $1200 for the 202-laser cap.
(Forget about the pro model – with 272 lasers – which costs about $3000. 🙄)
Through our research, we’ve found that there is very little evidence to support the efficacy of the Capillus caps (they’ve conducted no clinical trials), and buyer reviews are less than stellar.
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👉 You can see all the Amazon buyer reviews HERE.
Yes, it’s completely mobile, and you can use it outdoors with no one knowing your little secret.
But:
We conclude that if you’ve never tried laser hair growth treatments and proved that this home technology works for you, the huge investment may not be worth it.
Will a Laser Hair Growth Cap Work for You?
Laser caps utilize Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) as a scientific principle.
It involves using safe, low-intensity lasers to deliver light energy to the scalp, stimulating cellular activity within the hair follicles.
This stimulation helps to promote hair regrowth and improve the overall condition of the scalp.
A 2019 study published in Lasers in Medical Science found that a laser therapy helmet increased hair thickness and covered bald patches in men and women with androgenetic alopecia.
Similarly, a 2018 study in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprology linked low-level laser therapy to improved outcomes and image satisfaction in androgenetic alopecia patients.
But:
If you truly want it to work (and I know you do) – you’ll have to be consistent with your home treatments. According to dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon, it is ideal to repeat the treatment routinely for the best results.
Can you do that if the result is new, shining baby hair?
Of course you can.
Are There Any Side Effects From Using Laser Caps?
Laser caps are safe and FDA-cleared, but some users report:
Mild scalp irritation or itching (due to increased blood flow)
Temporary hair shedding (a normal sign of new growth)
Redness or swelling (usually resolves quickly)
👉 See this study proving red light therapy is safe.
Can Laser Caps Cause Cancer?
Laser caps do NOT cause cancer—they use safe red light, not UV radiation.
According to research, laser cap treatments for hair loss do not cause cancer.
More than 2000 clinical studies were conducted on the use of LLLT and all of them have found no DNA mutational effects resulting from treatment.
The short UV waves (280 – 400 nm) are the type of waves that were linked to skin cancer, and they are at a different wavelength from red light therapy.
👉 Here’s a study proving red light therapy is safe even when skin cancer is present.
How to use a Laser Cap Safely
First, always follow the instructions.
Do not be tempted to use the device more than directed – it won’t work better or faster if you do, and the instructions are based on clinical studies that tested the best way to use them to get the best results.
Second, do not stare directly at the laser lights – they are very bright. If you are worried, use goggles.
Do You Have to Keep Using It Forever?
Yes, but maintenance treatments can be reduced to once a week after initial regrowth. Like other hair loss treatments (except hair transplants), continued use is required to maintain results.
Many users who stopped using their cap noticed hair loss returning, proving that the treatment was working.
Do Laser Caps Work for Dark Hair?
Yes, laser caps can work for dark hair.
However, you should know that the FDA has not cleared these devices for dark skin.
Refer to the Norwood-Hamilton Scale (approved: Class Ila to V) / Ludwig-Savin Scale (approved: Class I to II) and Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale (approved: Type I to IV) for compatibility.
To your health and happiness,
Meital
Studies:
Jimenez, J.J., Wikramanayake, T.C., Bergfeld, W. et al. Efficacy and Safety of a Low-level Laser Device in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Multicenter, Randomized, Sham Device-controlled, Double-blind Study. Am J Clin Dermatol 15, 115–127 (2014).
Avci P, Gupta GK, Clark J, Wikonkal N, Hamblin MR. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss. Lasers Surg Med. 2014;46(2):144–151. duced Hair Regrowth.” (2005).
Zarei, M., Wikramanayake, T.C., Falto-Aizpurua, L. et al. Low level laser therapy and hair regrowth: an evidence-based review. Lasers Med Sci 31, 363–371 (2016).
Urysiak-Czubatka I, Kmieć ML, Broniarczyk-Dyła G. Assessment of the usefulness of dihydrotestosterone in the diagnostics of patients with androgenetic alopecia. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2014;31(4):207‐215.
I am female, and my hair loss is just above my ears on the sides and the very bottom edge of my hairline behind my ears to the back. I have used an IRestore for 3 years. It worked at first but now I’m thinner than ever in these areas, (this is a new problem. )I have full hair on top of my head and front hairline. Which cap would give me lower head coverage? I also have a small head size.
A laser cap from the above list will cover your problem areas. Try to tie your hair on the top of yur head (where treatment is not needed) to expose the scalp to the light in above your ears. Good luck!
I had Capillus until it broke. Now, I have Kiierr 272, & it is amazing. I will still buy the broken battery for Capillus since it was super expensive (& use them both). iRestore is garbage. The Theradome doesn’t even cover your head. The Illinistore thing looks great, but think of longevity. Nothing that twists & turns lasts. For example, with Capillus, I would wrap up the wire each time after use, which caused the battery to now work. It’s $800. So, I now have two caps. I did massive research & as of 2021, Kiierr 272 is the best product with the best results out there. Try it for 6 months. If you do not like it, return it. I doubt you will. Again, iRestore is garbage. You may want to be cheap about hair. If you do, you get crap results. I’ll say I once had that massive thing that floated on top of your head. It was the only one when it first came out, & it worked well, had good coverage, & it never broke. I traded it in for the Capillus. The battery breaking is so my fault. I should have never wrapped it around the battery (the cord) after each use. After a while, the cord seemed to break inside. I’ll get a new one so I have two amazing caps. Stay away from the cheap ones or the expensive ones which do not even cover your whole head. My advice, & I take anti-androgens, vitamins for hair, special shampoos, etc. I have a full head of hair, & I worked hard for it. Many would think I’m crazy. I don’t even use ROGAINE. Who would want to use that crap all day when its ingredient called Minoxidil is a pill. So I take the pill. Yes, it grows hair all over, but a small price to pay for lovely hair lol.
It seems to me based on reading theres some biased on this article against theradome. It is not more expensive than the others and none are meant to relive dead follicules.
As a consumer and reading every single vendor I find these companies arefocused on throwing each other under the buse. Kierrr apparently stoled immuniflows idea, irestore makes false claims of leds, revian offers the same and it’s over priced. Theradome has no user reviews but the ones they choose people to see. I can go on. The market is so deceptive one can only hope you chose the best. Nonetheless trust as a factor is merely surviving because of hair loss.
I am very interested in trying a Laser hair growth device.
I am a female and want to use it to boost my hair growth, as I feel my hair is just not growing (and has not been for years). *
I am wondering, however, do the helmets actually give full coverage? Seems that side of the head and the lower back of the head are not covered by the helmets.
I have, therefore, considered the combs/brushes – but are they really as effective as the helmets?
I hope it is possible to get your advice.
Kind regards,
Hi Solly, since the lasers boost blood circulation in and around their location to a certain radius, the entire scalp gets the benefits of it. Brushes are less powerful and require a lot of work – combing the hair slowly – and could take more than 10-15 minutes of “work”. Most people can not keep this routine consistently and thus reduce their chance of seeing results. I hope this helps :)
I started using kiierr 6 months ago and I can say it really works well.
What is the purpose of the LED light? I notice some of the caps have them and other don’t. Thanks.
Laser and LED (light-emitting diode) both deliver a certain wavelength that is optimal for hair growth. They differ in speed, transmitting Distance, and cost. The Lasers are more powerful and operate at faster speeds than LEDs, and they can also transmit light farther with fewer errors.
I put toppik hair fibers in my hair everyday. I want to use one of this helmets but I am curious if having fibers in my hair during treatments would “block” the lasers or make them less impactful because there is something in my hair and on my scalp. Or are the lasers powerful enough to just blast through any small amount of blockage to my scalp or hair follicles?
The simple solution would be to just completely wash them out before I do a treatment, but as I said I put them in everyday and if I am doing treatments at different times, or need to run out after it would be annoying and more costly to reapply the fibers.
Yes, I’m afraid the laser will be partially blocked, and treatment won’t be optimal. In your case, I would go for a laser brush instead of a helmet, because the brush parts the hair and reaches the scalp directly. The downside is that the treatment requires more effort and patience. See this post about the best laser brushes here.
TYVM for the research!
thanks for your help and time!
Any time 😍
It does help. Thank you. One last question please; I have very, very, very thinning hair at my forehead and sides of my head by my ears. Which would you recommend for me, the “I Restore Professional” (which Amazon does not have yet) with 82 lasers or the “Theradome Pro Lit 80” with 80 lazers. Thank you so much for your time and advice.
Bonnie
Since they both have the same amount of lasers and they are both established brands – I would go for the lower-cost one.
I am wondering about the Hair Max. It has 246 lasers. Does that make it better than the Theradome?
It’s not better, it’s different. The HairMax is a light brush, which means you have to manually comb your hair slowly with it. The Theradome is a helmet, which you place on your head and is hands-free. The red light therapy brushes are better for people with thick hair which may prevent the light from reaching the scalp. The brush allows for the light to get closer to the hair follicles. So, this really depends on the type of your hair. I hope this helps.
None of these companies addresses hat size.
My hat size is 7-7/8, which is a circumference of 24-5/8″.
I would be very disappointed and inconvenienced if I purchased a laser cap, it didn’t fit my head and I would have to send it back to the company for a full refund.
RS
There is no such thing as medical grade LED’s. LED’s have no clinical benefit at all and are used as on off switches in Chinese made electronics. With 21 lasers, irestore and igrow are the same, Theradome has almost 4 x the lasers. I’ve had mine for 2 years and I’ve seen constant growth.
Thanks for sharing this with us Fred, and congratulations on your great results! It’s important that people know this actually works. 😍
I am losing my hair in my temples, and its see through like a cheap wig across my front hair line. I am a 59 year old woman who used to have great hair. My hair line is mimicking male pattern baldness, with it recessing on either side of the center of my frontal hair line. While my temples are thinning out so badly and progressing towards the sides of my hair. My top hair hides it for now. The back of my head is doing great so far. Which device will help the front hair line, front and sides of my head and temple area best?
Any of the helmets in this post can help with that area, I would go for the iRestore. Good luck!
It seems o.k to me, however I don’t know much about it and haven’t found user reviews anywhere. May be a new product. Also I don’t see any info about money back guarantee or warranty. I recommend shooting them an email and asking about it.
I have the RedRestore Growth Cap with 148 lasers. It has only medical grade lasers and zero LEDS. I have seen significant hair growth with the system. The price is incredible for the laser power it offers.
I have a NEW Theradome. It would turn on / charge for six treatments. Bought a new barrery. Turned on / charged for six more treatments.
Theradome would not warranty the helmet or battery.
Have no idea if it would help grow hair because it won’t recharge.
Thanks
John,
If you bought the Theradome from the official website or the authorized store on Amazon – you have a 1-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Did you buy it from the official seller?
You say as a con of the theradome: “does not that advanced hair loss (dead follicles)” . No laser treats this. I’m confused why this would be a con of the theradome specifically
You’re right, I should add this con to every laser helmet or comb. Thank you.
As a comment on iRestore, the Black Friday/Cyber Monday price is $495. And they may have sales periodically throughout the year. That said, those suffering from hair loss probably shouldn’t wait for months to delay the purchase of a potentially helpful device… particularly with the money-back guarantee on the table.