SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - A joint team of researchers from South Korea and Hong Kong has developed a wearable light therapy platform designed like a hat to treat hair loss. By using flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), the device suppresses the aging of hair follicle cells by approximately 92 percent.
The project was led by Professor Choi Kyung-cheol from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in collaboration with Professor Yun Chi from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Light therapy has emerged as a safe alternative to pharmaceutical hair loss treatments, which can cause side effects during long-term use. However, existing light therapy devices are typically heavy, rigid helmets that use point-source light like LEDs or lasers. These structures are often uncomfortable to wear and fail to distribute light evenly across the curved surface of the human scalp.
The researchers addressed these limitations by using OLEDs, which emit light from a flat surface rather than a single point. By integrating near-infrared (NIR) OLEDs into a flexible, fabric-like material, they created a light source that fits naturally inside a hat. This design allows the light to stay in close contact with the scalp, ensuring that stimulations are delivered uniformly to all affected areas.
The technology works by targeting dermal papilla cells, which are located at the base of hair follicles and control hair growth. While different colors of light cause different cellular reactions, the team used wavelength control technology to emit near-infrared light specifically between 730 and 740 nanometers. This specific range was found to be the most effective for activating hair follicle cells and preventing them from aging.
In laboratory tests using human dermal papilla cells, the near-infrared OLEDs reduced cell aging by 92 percent compared to a control group. This result outperformed traditional red light therapy. The flexible nature of the platform allows users to receive treatment during daily activities rather than being restricted to indoor use with heavy equipment.
"By implementing fabric-based OLEDs that are as soft as cloth, we have proposed a wearable light therapy platform that can be used in everyday life," said Cho Eun-hae, the lead author of the study.
Professor Choi Kyung-cheol noted that the thin and flexible nature of OLEDs is ideal for ensuring uniform light delivery to the scalp. The research team plans to conduct further pre-clinical studies to verify the safety and long-term effectiveness of the device for commercial medical use.
The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea. The findings were published online in the journal Nature Communications on January 10.
(Paper information)
Journal: Nature Communications
Title: Wearable textile-based phototherapy platform with customized NIR OLEDs toward non-invasive hair loss treatment
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