How a Red-Light Hat Gave Me My Healthy Scalp Back

"It's similar to how red-light face masks work. These masks are usually worn for about 10 minutes and always have a light wavelength level in the 600-nm range (usually 630 to 660), like the HigherDose hat does, but you'll also see masks with higher infrared-light levels that promise healing and reduced inflammation. The hat delivers only the main red-light therapy level and features 120 medical-grade LED bulbs arranged in a half circle for easy wear around your head."

"The technology is FDA-cleared, meaning the FDA has determined that this device is substantially equivalent to an existing legally marketed device. HigherDose specifically states that the hat uses "FDA-cleared technology known to stimulate hair growth and improve scalp health," but this is not the same as FDA-approved, which goes under much more rigorous testing. FDA-cleared is the only status we've really seen with red-light devices, though, and it's the same status you'll see on our red-light mask recommendations."

"You can barely tell it's lit up while I'm wearing it; the only giveaway is the small battery pack on the back of the hat. You can also remove the battery pack easily if you want to wear the hat without any tip-off that it's a gadget. There's an adjustment strap in the back and even a cutout that I could put a ponytail through while the battery pack is attached."

The HigherDose hat uses red-light therapy at 630–660 nm with 120 medical-grade LEDs arranged in a half-circle for easy wear. The device is FDA-cleared as substantially equivalent to an existing legally marketed device, a different and less rigorous status than FDA approval. The hat resembles a normal baseball cap with an adjustable strap, ponytail cutout, removable battery pack, and discreet lighting. Red-light exposure can lock in moisture similar to infrared brushes, sometimes leaving hair feeling oily; using the hat before showering tends to reduce that effect. The device focuses on red-light rather than higher infrared levels.

Read at WIRED