My hair was so thin you could see my scalp – a £20 Amazon buy helped it grow thicker and longer in a few weeks
THROUGHOUT my twenties and thirties, my thick, lustrous hair was my crowning glory – a source of pride and confidence.
Friends and even strangers would comment on its shine and fullness.
But as my 50th birthday crept closer, my once-vibrant locks started to thin.
Strands that used to be resilient and bouncy were now limp and lacklustre.
It was alarming and disheartening.
I noticed more hair on the shower floor and my ponytail felt noticeably thinner.
Suddenly all those ego-boosting compliments were replaced by unwelcome digs at my barely-there barnet.
Even one of my closest friends piped up: “Have you got a receding hairline?”.
“Thanks,” I thought. “Is it that obvious?”
I’d pored over snaps of fiftysomething celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Salma Hayek, whose roots remained gloriously full.
What was their secret?
Having a baby at 48 didn’t help with my hair thinning. Then I hit perimenopause.
As the oestrogen levels go haywire and eventually decline, hair growth cycles are disrupted leading to more shedding and thinning.
“Excellent,” I thought. “My body is against me.”
But a new study gave me hope.
It took two groups of women who were suffering hair loss and gave one red light therapy, and the other a placebo treatment.
The group who used red light therapy had 37 per cent more hair growth than the placebo one.
It’s not the first study of its kind.
Another US study in 2014 boasted similar results, with those who used red light therapy benefitting from a significant increase in hair density.
While research has shown it can also increase the number of hairs by an average of nine to ten hairs per centimetre squared.
I then stumbled upon numerous rave reviews online for a red light therapy gadget designed to combat thinning hair.
Women of all ages were praising the electric scalp massage brush by Kimairay (£19.99, Amazon) for bringing back their youthful locks.
‘I’LL TRY ANYTHING’
Apparently, it helps boost blood circulation near the scalp’s surface to encourage hair growth.
Anabel Kingsley, a consultant trichologist and brand president at Philip Kingsley hair-loss clinics, claims it may be the vibrations this nifty tool delivers that bring results.
She says: “When we enter our menopause years, our oestrogen levels drop, which causes bouts of hair shedding.
“Our scalps lose elasticity and produce less oil, too, causing drier hair.
“Most women find their hair becomes finer, less dense and less lustrous.
“This gadget is thought to work by increasing the supply of energy to hair follicles, thus increasing the thickness of the hair.”
Desperate, I decided to give it a try.
I excitedly ripped open the box. With its nine metal prongs, it hardly resembles a sleek beauty buy, but hey — I’ll try anything.
After charging it for an hour, I open the applicator bottle within the device and pour in some of my own argan hair oil, which is non-greasy and known for its nourishing properties.
Next, I turn on the device, place it on my scalp and move it gently in circular motions.
It feels surprisingly relaxing. I press the button to release the hair oil evenly through the prongs.
I’m pleased to find it doesn’t feel sticky or heavy on my scalp.
Week one: initial observations
TO start, I use it for 20 minutes, three times a week.
I whip it out in the car while waiting for the kids to finish school, and even top up in the loo during a coffee catch-up with a friend.
It is lightweight, convenient to hold in my hand and fits in my handbag, making it ideal for busy days running errands.
Initially, my locks look a bit tousled after using it — they need a light brush afterwards to smooth them.
By the end of the first week, I haven’t noticed any dramatic changes in my hair’s thickness or volume, but it’s now a mini self-care ritual.
Week two: subtle changes
ENTERING the second week, I begin to see subtle differences.
I typically use the device in the evening, for about ten minutes, either before bed or after dinner.
My scalp feels less dry and my tresses seems to have a bit more shine.
I usually wash my hair three times a week, but I add a fourth to ensure any excess oil from my scalp massages is gone.
It hasn’t been a drastic transformation, but there is a definite improvement in the texture and feel of my hair.
I’ve also started using the device in more relaxed settings, such as while I’m watching TV or waiting for food to cook.
Week three: visible improvement
I START to notice fewer hairs on my pillow or shower tray. Old hair, is that you?
My locks look fuller and there’s more volume at the roots. I’m so excited.
Maybe this weird gadget is working after all.
During a dinner date with the girls, my pals gush over my shinier, healthier-looking hair and I even turn a few heads at the bar.
Finally, I’m looking — and feeling — like my old self again.
The relaxing feeling of the massage has kept me motivated and I look forward to my newfound evening routine.
Week four: a month of transformation
ONE month in and the transformation is undeniable. My hair is visibly thicker, shinier and healthier-looking.
It seems fuller overall, particularly around the crown and temples, where it usually appears flat.
Even my partner, Perry Joseph, 63, a production manager, has noticed, commenting that my locks look more like they used to be.
The clock is rewinding and my confidence soars.
I feel self-assured joining friends for a pub lunch as they admire my new and improved locks.
I’m not used to receiving so many compliments, but they are very welcome.
Compared to expensive salon treatments I’ve tried, the device seems better value.
It’s a one-time purchase and I found it to be more consistent with its results.
After a month of regular use, I can confidently say that red light therapy has made a significant difference to the appearance of my hair.
It has brought back the fullness and lustre I thought were lost for ever.
Perimenopause doesn’t have to signal the end of your fabulous tresses.
With the right tools, you can revive and restore them without breaking the bank.
There’s no way I’m letting this new look slide.
I’ve already recommended it to my girlfriends and, as it’s safe to use long term, I plan to continue using the gadget as part of my regular haircare routine, at least a few times a week.
So is red lighttherapy worth it?
JONATHAN ANDREW, celebrity hair stylist and Fudge Professional Global Ambassador, says: “Red light has been used for a while now in skin care, so it makes sense that it’s coming into the hair world.
“It’s very much a scalp treatment, not for the hair itself.
“Red light therapy works by increasing blood flow and oxygenation which may then help with healthier hair growth.
“It may also help with improving hair density, too.
“Massaging your scalp can help to create a better hair health environment for stronger hair growth by stimulating the blood flow to your hair follicles.
“This gadget is doing just that.”