Frequently Asked Questions

The illumiflow Laser Cap is almost perfectly comparable to the Premium Device line from Capillus.

Comparing the illumiflow Laser Cap to the capillus272pro the major difference of note here is the price point: with illumiflow, you get equivalent top-quality laser diodes, the same all-over scalp coverage, and even a comparable total package (including everything you need for at-home treatments or on-the-go) for a third of the price.

The way we see it: that balance of quality and affordability equals out to value that simply can’t be beat.

Check out this video comparison of Capillus and Illumiflow or watch it below.

We actually love Theradome and especially appreciate how brilliantly their product has been marketed.

One thing we don’t love about their product though is the limited number of laser diodes and subsequent drop in scalp coverage.

As much as we enjoyed the brand, we knew that we could do better, and so we did.

Featuring 272 premium-quality laser diodes instead of Theradome’s 80, the illumiflow Laser Cap does more work in less time across more of the scalp and is more discreet about it, too. Check it out in our online shop here.

In short, yes - for a number of reasons. In addition to being more convenient than these options (with its hands-free operation and discreet profile), the illumiflow Laser Cap simply does a better job.

This is thanks to the hard work of our top-quality laser diodes.

Who wants to “comb” their hair for 20 minutes every day with a few low-output, limited-exposure lasers when they could sit comfortably in a laser cap for the same amount of time and receive consistent exposure from 272 lasers instead?

No tired arms (laser comb), no bruised dignity (laser hood)—just an effortless and discreet treatment solution that really works. I mean check out these before and after photos.

Unlike many of the semi-comparable laser caps and helmets on the market, illumiflow distributes direct-to-consumer without the need for middlemen.

This is a big part of how we’ve managed to keep costs down through our online store.

By selling directly to you, we get to offer a premium-quality product at a price point anyone can afford.

Getting started is as easy as clicking “ORDER NOW” and receiving your brand new laser cap in the mail.

Using any of our laser caps is so easy.

Using the laser cap is a simple matter of plug-and-play.

Plug one side of the battery pack into the wall, plug the other side into your laser cap, place the laser cap on your head, hit the power button, and voilà—you’re in business.

Every laser cap includes a detailed instruction manual and remember if you ever need us we are just an email or a phone call away. And when you call you'll be speaking to a friendly voice here in the United States.

Usually there is no need to cut your hair.

While every person is a unique case, most people have no problem with hair getting in the way of the laser cap’s treatment.

Because the red laser light has been calibrated to shine through individual stands of hair, your laser cap should have no problem penetrating through to the scalp beneath.

If you’re still concerned about this, or feel like trimming might deliver better results, we recommend that you consult with your physician for an expert opinion.

You might find it helpful to read this in-depth guide on how this works here.

You might be wondering is this going to be painful or will it hurt?

Absolutely not.

LLLT is a 100% painless and non-invasive technology with decades of proven use and thousands of peer-reviewed clinical studies to back its claims.

We made this page to discuss how LLLT works here.

Yes, it is.

The battery pack is comprised of a 5000mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery designed to last for a minimum of 500 re-charges.

1. Unplug the battery pack from the laser cap. Note that the laser cap should never be connected to the battery pack while the battery pack is charging.
2. Connect the battery pack to the wall charger. The blue indicator lights on your battery will blink while it is charging.
3. When the battery pack has reached full charge, all four blue indicator lights on your battery pack will be steadily illuminated (not blinking).

Depending on how much charge the battery is already holding, charging times can range between 3–5 hours.

Look for the blue indicator lights to stop blinking—that’s how you’ll know the battery is fully charged.

Your battery pack will last between three and four 30-minute sessions before running out of charge.

It has been designed for a minimum of 500 re-charges.

If you wish to test the lasers to confirm that they are working, we recommend placing the laser cap over an open palm to safely observe the red light from your lasers.

The palm of your hand should glow with “speckles” of red light if the lasers are turned on.

You can see what the laser cap will look like when worn in our product descriptions here.

No worries!

We built an automatic shutoff into your laser cap that will automatically activate after 30 minutes.

This makes the Illumiflow laser caps even easier to use.

No, preferably not.

We recommend unplugging the laser cap from the battery pack immediately after every use so as not to unnecessarily drain the battery.

Every laser cap includes a full-length instruction manual including everything you need to know in order to get yourself set up for laser hair regrowth therapy in a safe manner.

Of course, if you have a question you can email us at support@illumiflow.com

The LLLT technology used in our laser cap is 100% painless and should never cause discomfort.

If you experience any discomfort during a session, discontinue use immediately and consult with your physician ASAP.

You can see how LLLT works and why that's unlikely to occur here though.

The one-size-fits-most design has been developed for “sit still” treatments, so it’s better suited for a quiet read than a jog down the block.

In fact, vigorous activity of any kind should be avoided during a treatment session.

Most of our customers prefer to use it while relaxing on the couch or something like that.

You can see some of their before and after photos here.

Yes, more than one person in the same household can use the laser cap so long as basic rules of hygiene are followed (see FAQ section, Cleaning the Laser Cap) below.

The laser cap is not approved for children.

Do not allow children to use or play with the illumiflow Laser Cap.

It is not a toy.

You absolutely can pack your laser cap and bring it with you wherever you go.

Light to moderate movement is ok while wearing the laser cap, although we do discourage engaging in vigorous activities of any kind while undergoing a treatment session.

Basically, we discourage any activity that might cause the laser cap to fall off the head during use.

No, absolutely not.

Keep the laser cap and its accessories away from water.

Contact with water can cause electrical shock. If the device does fall into water, immediately disconnect it from power at the source.

DO NOT reach into or touch the water to retrieve the device while it is connected to power as this could result in electrical shock.

The high-quality laser diodes chosen for the illumiflow Laser Cap are rated to last for at least 15,000 hours. As a combined result of the premium-grade lasers and durable materials used to manufacture the illumiflow Laser Cap, we expect the lifespan of each device to be between 10 and 15 years of regular use.

Get started with the illumiflow Laser Cap

We recommend sessions lasting at least 30 minutes (but not exceeding 60 minutes) every other day for a period of six months.

For maintenance, 15-30 minute sessions two to three times per week are recommended.

We recommend using the laser cap every other day for best results.

Each session should last a minimum of 15 minutes and should never exceed 60 minutes.

For most users, 30-minute sessions are the sweet spot.

No more than once per day, and even that is too often for most users.

We recommend treatment every other day for best results.

Each session should last a minimum of 15 minutes and should never exceed 60 minutes. 30-minute session lengths typically work out best.

This is a case where more isn't actually better.

While every user is unique, we recommend using the laser cap every other day for best results. Each session should last a minimum of 15 minutes and should never exceed 60 minutes. 30-minute session lengths typically work out best.

Once significant benefits and noticeable results have been achieved, we recommend an ongoing maintenance schedule of two to three sessions per week.

We always recommend starting your treatment right after a shower. Get that hair nice and wet and clean, towel it down, and then enjoy your treatment session.

This timing is ideal because the scalp is generally more “visible” just after a shower when your hair is still slightly moist. One word of caution, however: we DO NOT recommend conducting treatments on soaking wet hair, so be sure to towel off first.

No. The laser cap should not be used more often than once every other day.

We recommend a session length of 30 minutes every other day based on user feedback and best results.

Pictures!

We believe strongly in the power of before-and-afters and always recommend that our users take plenty of photos along the way.

Take photos before your first session, then continue to do so at regular stages throughout the course of your treatment. Check Out These Before & After Photos

Think of laser hair therapy as similar to exercise: your best results come from integrating the activity as a part of your lifestyle.

Even after you have achieved significant benefits and noticeable results from your treatment, we recommend an ongoing maintenance schedule of two to three sessions per week.

It sure is!

In fact, adding LLLT to your current hair growth regimen should help to notably increase the rate and quality of your hair recovery.

We recommend consulting with your physician prior since it is often possible to gradually decrease medication dosages over time when paired with LLLT, making your life easier and (of course) your hair healthier.

As with Rogaine, low-level laser therapy can complement your current hair growth regimen. If you’re concerned about doubling-up, we always recommend consulting your physician for an expert opinion.

In many cases, it is possible to gradually decrease medication dosages over time when paired with LLLT, making your life easier and your hair healthier (yay!).

In fact, it can be.

While every user is a unique case, increased shedding may occur at the beginning of treatment.

But don’t worry—there’s no need for alarm. This is a normal reaction for many people who undergo low-level laser therapy.

Hair loss is often associated with fungus and inflammation, so we always recommend using medicated and anti-fungal shampoos to clean the hair prior to each treatment session.

While everyone’s hair and hygiene needs are different, we typically recommend shampooing every 2-3 days.

Sometimes over-shampooing results in dry hair and scalp, as cleansing can strip it of it’s natural, nutrient-rich oils.

You sure can!

Unlike shampoos (which are designed primarily for the scalp), conditioners are designed for the hair.

You are welcome to use any conditioner that softens your hair. Whether or not you should do this is entirely up to you.

Absolutely!

The illumiflow Laser Cap is rated for both men and women and if you take a look at these before and after photos you'll see some great results.

Oh yes, absolutely it can help to thicken your hair.

One of the primary benefits of regular treatment with the illumiflow Laser Cap is, in fact, thicker hair.

LLLT should increase both the thickness and the density of hair follicles, resulting in hair that is thicker, fuller, and healthier.

We recommend determining your eligibility based on the following scale:

Hamilton Scale for MEN                                     Ludwig Scale for WOMEN                                                  

illumiflow is designed to effectively treat hair loss in males with hair loss classification levels 2A, 3, 3A, 3 Vertex, 4, 4A, and 5.

illumiflow is designed to effectively treat hair loss in females with hair loss classification levels 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 11-1, 11-2

Remember, the earlier you can begin treatment, the better the outcome.

So even if you’re not noticeably exhibiting signs of hair loss yet, your scalp can still benefit from regular treatments of LLLT, resulting in hair that is fuller, thicker, and healthier.

Yes, hair transplants can cause a bit of trauma to nearby “native” hair, so treating the hair and scalp with LLLT prior to and post-transplant can be very beneficial, helping to alleviate the shock of your operation and providing blood flow to the scalp.

The Laser Cap can also assist the growth of newly planted follicles by accelerating healing, reducing inflammation, minimizing discomfort, and encouraging faster growth.

Since the FDA has not yet cleared this device for treatment of dermatitis or itching, we cannot currently market its usage for such treatment.

However, since a root cause of both dermatitis and itching is inflammation of the scalp, and the laser cap has been specifically designed to reduce inflammation of the scalp, many patients have reported positive results in this area.

Absolutely not.

In fact, the earlier a person can begin using a device like our illumiflow Laser Cap for LLLT, the better.

In addition to treating various stages of hair loss, laser hair therapy can add volume to your hair and increase the health of your scalp. In other words, the laser cap is as well suited to hair maintenance as it is to hair growth.

Learn about our different laser caps here.

Very likely you can, yes.

While you may not be experiencing any symptoms of hair loss yet, it is so much easier to prevent hair loss than it is to re-activate dormant hair follicles.

By using the laser cap as a regular part of your scalp and hair regimen, you will help to reverse hair miniaturization and provide your hair follicles with the support they needs to keep on growing thick and full and healthy.

Please consult with your physician prior to using the laser cap if you are currently undergoing treatment for cancer. It should also be noted that cancer treatments are known to result in hair loss and a negative impact on hair quality even after hair growth has resumed post-treatment.

Because of this, expert consultation is advised for recovering cancer patients. With the right care, the laser cap should result in a dramatic improvement in the quality of your hair, but normal usage of the device should only be resumed after cancer treatment has ended.

It’s important to understand that underlying medical conditions, along with any medications that they may require, can be the cause of slower-than-average results from LLLT.

This is why it’s so important to consult with a physician and properly diagnose the cause of hair loss as well as identify any underlying conditions (especially conditions such as thyroid disease, anemia, or scalp conditions such as psoriasis).

Our premium-quality laser diodes have been calibrated to “shine through” the individual strands of your hair, so having a full head of hair should not in any way interfere with the effectiveness of your Laser Cap treatments.

For best results, use the Laser Cap immediately after showering and towel-drying your hair - the treatment works best on moist, clean hair.

The Laser Cap has been designed using a one-size-fits-most philosophy. (We say one-size-fits-most to be safe, but we honestly can’t say that we’ve found a head it doesn’t fit yet.)

Regardless of your head size, you should feel perfectly confident choosing the Laser Cap from illumiflow.

All current industry studies indicate that LLLT is equally effective on all hair types. This data has borne out in our own experience as well.

Put simply, you can expect great results from the Laser Cap, even if you have lighter hair.

It sure is!

While there are certainly some prescription medications for hair loss that are NOT safe for women, the LLLT technology employed by the illumiflow Laser Cap is 100% safe for women and certified by the FDA.

In fact, factors such as convenience and discretion coupled with the overall effectiveness of LLLT make the Laser Cap a top choice for women suffering from thinning, shedding, or balding.

Yes, it can!

Provided you are done breastfeeding, regular use of the Laser Cap can help to strengthen and even regrow hair.

No, LLLT is not recommended while breastfeeding; therefore, we DO NOT recommend using the Laser Cap while breastfeeding.

It sure can!

With proper and regular use, the illumiflow Laser Cap can help to restore health to your hair and scalp, resulting in thicker hair follicles, increased volume, a reversal of shedding, and even new growth!

You can see some before and after photos of our woman customers here.

No, LLLT is not recommended during pregnancy; therefore, we DO NOT recommend using the Laser Cap while pregnant unless specifically advised to do so by your physician.

Your Laser Cap is automatically covered by our 2-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty, starting from the day you receive the item.

However, registration is required for the Growth Promise Policy.

The Growth Promise Policy requires registration. To do so, please email your name, order number, serial number and before photo to support@illumiflow.com

The 2-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty protects against any defects in materials or workmanship for up to 2 years from the date of purchase. At this time, we do not offer any Extended Warranty options.

Please visit our Return Policy page to view the details of our 12 month satisfaction guarantee.

At this time, illumiflow is not set up to accept international orders or accommodate international shipment requests.

Sorry!

Every illumiflow order is guaranteed to ship from our Montana-based warehouse no later than 7 days from the date of your order.

More typically, the package will ship within 2-3 days. You will also receive a notification with tracking information once the order has shipped.

Since the Laser Cap is a high-value item, we typically require a signature for all deliveries. Please be prepared to accept and sign for the delivery in person.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept international orders at this time. Sorry!

Yes!

At the time of checkout you will have the ability to choose from several available financing and split payment options.

Start regrowing your hair with the illumiflow Laser Cap

The FDA qualifies items like the Laser Cap for its overall safety and effectiveness as a medical device. The process for gaining FDA Clearance is quite demanding and extremely time-consuming, but we consider the effort worthwhile since the safety and confidence of our users means more to us than just about anything else in the world.

FDA validation safeguards consumers from false claims and dangerous medical equipment and requires rigorous testing, laboratory and clinical trials, and extensive data analysis in order to meet a high standard of excellence.

By gaining FDA 510(k) Clearance, the illumiflow Laser Cap has distinguished itself as a legitimate and effective medical device backed by thorough testing, built to meticulous standards, and certified-safe for regular use.

There are no known or potential side effects to using the illumiflow Laser Cap. This has been rigorously tested and verified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Unlike many alternative hair loss treatments and prescription medications, the Laser Cap’s laser hair therapy is completely safe, with zero side effects.

In a word: no. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a proven technology that has been around for decades. It is perfectly safe and painless, and produces no ionizing radiation.

There are over 1,500 peer-reviewed papers supporting the safety and effectiveness of LLLT for biostimulation. Furthermore, the Laser Cap and its LLLT technology have been fully cleared by the FDA after undergoing rigorous testing, laboratory and clinical trials, and extensive data analysis in order to meet a high standard of excellence.

As always, we recommend consulting with a physician if you have any additional concerns or underlying conditions. Those recovering from scalp cancer should refrain from using the Laser Cap as its technology can activate the growth of both healthy and unhealthy cells.

We always advocate basic safety precautions when using devices like the Laser Cap.

While the premium-grade laser diodes used in the Laser Cap are perfectly safe, we do not recommend staring directly into them. Instead, place the Laser Cap over an open palm to safely observe the red light from your lasers.

Absolutely.

There are over 1,500 peer-reviewed papers supporting the safety and effectiveness of LLLT for biostimulation.

Furthermore, the Laser Cap and its LLLT technology have been fully cleared by the FDA after undergoing rigorous testing, laboratory and clinical trials, and extensive data analysis in order to meet a high standard of excellence.

While the premium-grade laser diodes used in the Laser Cap are perfectly safe, we do not recommend staring directly into them. Instead, place the Laser Cap over an open palm to safely observe the red light from your lasers.

In other words, please apply common sense and use basic safety precautions when using a device like the Laser Cap.

Put simply, laser light is very focused compared with LED light, which prefers to “spread out” in all directions. This spreading action means that LED light loses its penetrative power rapidly as it travels.

Many devices try to cut corners by utilizing LEDs in place of real lasers. This results in a cost reduction but also fully negates the effectiveness of the device, as LEDs do not contain adequate power to penetrate the base of hair follicles or reverse hair loss in any way.

Our premium-grade laser diodes have been specifically calibrated to stimulate hair growth and scrupulously tested to ensure effectiveness. In other words: Beware LEDs and false claims.

To learn more about the differences between our lasers and LEDs for hair growth, read How it Works.

In fact, this is true in some cases.

Fortunately for all of our users, however, we took this into consideration early on in the design phase of our Laser Cap. Since the effective quality of the Laser Cap hinges on the consistent output of our lasers, we test our diodes both flat-on-the-board prior to assembly and then again once assembly has been completed to ensure that no power has been lost in the process.

Our diodes are tested multiple times throughout the process of production and assembly, guaranteeing flawless function and long-lasting dependability for our users.

Having more diodes actually has quite a significant effect on the quality of your treatment. In simplest terms, the more diodes you have, the more scalp coverage you will experience as a result. Devices that use lower numbers of laser diodes do so because it costs less to manufacture, but significant benefits to hair health are lost along the way by simple virtue of the fact that less of the scalp is receiving direct treatment when lower numbers of laser diodes are being used.

Additionally, larger numbers of diodes ensure greater consistency across the scalp, meaning that no part of your head is left feeling neglected! The illumiflow Laser Cap uses 272 laser diodes in its design—the highest number of laser diodes available in a device of this style at this time.

In most cases, OTC (over-the-counter) devices like the Laser Cap will not be covered by medical insurance.

We have worked hard to mitigate this inconvenience, however, by bringing our solution to market at an exceptionally aggressive price point.

(Compare our Laser Cap to the capillus272pro, which retails at around $3000.)

The Laser Cap has been designed with your ultimate comfort and safety in mind.

It weighs in at just around 8 ounces, or half of a pound (without the included baseball cap installed).

It is not. Our electrical components are manufactured in compliance with U.S. standards and designed to operate via the included AC Adapter, which is appropriate for standard U.S. electrical outlets.

International use may require additional adapters corresponding with available electrical outlets.

The illumiflow Laser Cap and its accessories are NOT WATERPROOF.

Keep the Laser Cap and its accessories away from water while in use and also when stored. Be sure the device cannot fall or be pulled into a tub or sink.

Contact with water may result in an electrical shock, so NEVER reach into or touch the water if the device falls into water.

Never. Our lasers are cool-to-the-touch and safe to handle. They should never burn your hands, your hair, or your scalp.

Interior Dimensions (LxWxH) = 7.87 x 6.69 x 2.95 in.

Front to Back = 7.87 in.

Side to Side = 6.69 in.

Depth = 2.95 in.