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A wearable cap emitting near-infrared light can reduce hair follicle cell aging by up to 92 percent, according to new research from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
New Hope for Hair Loss: A Wearable Device Shows Promising Results
Researchers have developed a comfortable, cap-based device that utilizes near-infrared light to combat cellular aging in hair follicles, potentially offering a new, non-invasive treatment for hair loss. This development addresses the side effects of some conventional treatments.
- Existing phototherapy devices are often bulky and uncomfortable.
- The new device utilizes flexible OLEDs for uniform light distribution.
- Tests on human cells showed a significant reduction in cellular aging.
- Researchers are planning preclinical trials to assess safety and efficacy.
For anyone watching their hairline recede, or noticing more strands in the shower drain, the prospect of a simple, effective treatment is incredibly appealing. While drug-based treatments for hair loss are available, concerns about potential side effects from prolonged use are driving interest in safer alternatives like phototherapy. but current phototherapy options often fall short.
Moast existing phototherapy devices are bulky, helmet-style contraptions that are uncomfortable to wear and typically restrict use to indoor settings. moreover, these devices frequently enough rely on point light sources, such as LEDs or lasers, making it arduous to deliver consistent light exposure across the entire scalp.
The KAIST research team tackled these limitations by replacing traditional point light sources with area-emitting OLEDs, wich produce a uniform light across a wider surface. These near-infrared OLEDs were then integrated into a soft, fabric-like material designed to be worn as a cap.
The flexibility of the cap allows it to conform to the natural contours of the scalp, ensuring consistent light exposure. “A key outcome of this study is demonstrating that precisely engineered light wavelengths can effectively suppress hair-follicle cell aging,” said Eun Hae Cho, an electrical engineer and paper author, in a statement.
the team also focused on optimizing the light wavelength, recognizing that different wavelengths can trigger different cellular responses. They adapted wavelength-control techniques originally developed for display OLEDs for therapeutic purposes. This approach led to the creation of custom OLEDs that emit near-infrared light in the 730 to 740 nanometer range, which is optimal for activating dermal papilla cells – critical cells located at the base of hair follicles that regulate hair growth.
To evaluate the device’s effectiveness, the researchers conducted experiments using human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). They found that exposure to the near-infrared OLED light reduced cellular aging by approximately 92 percent, surpassing the performance of conventional red-light irradiation.
“Going forward, we plan to verify safety and efficacy through preclinical studies and progressively evaluate the potential for real therapeutic applications,” concluded Kyung cheol Choi, a professor and paper author.
