WIRED has updated its guide to the best red-light therapy devices for hair growth and restoration, reviewed by a team of testers who have personal experience with hair thinning or loss. The devices work by stimulating hair follicles, boosting scalp blood circulation, reducing inflammation and lowering levels of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone linked to hair loss, offering an at-home alternative to clinical treatments or topical remedies.

Testers trialled red-light caps, hands-free helmets and low-level laser therapy devices over 16-week cycles, consulting dermatologists and clinical research to shape their criteria. The top pick is CurrentBody's LED Hair Growth Helmet (£860/$860), a cordless, Bluetooth-enabled device that testers found produced new follicle growth and thicker-feeling hair, though not increased length, after 12 weeks. WIRED says it prioritised safety features such as FDA clearance and automatic shut-off, alongside comfort and ease of use, when compiling its recommendations.