PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that makes use of electromagnetic fields to treat conditions ranging from fracture healing to pain reduction to depression. Their is insufficient clinical evidence regarding its success rate for treating almost any health conditions.
PEMF devices work via emitting low-frequency electromagnetic pulses, which penetrate deep into tissues and cells so as to theoretically enhance cellular function. PEMF is also known as low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS). PEMF is thought to influence human cellular behavior by inducing electrical changes in and around cells.
Innogene PEMF and PBMT Combination Therapy for Hair Loss
In 2020, South Korean scientists found that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields increased the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla cells.
More recently, a 2022 study from South Korea concluded that pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) has a positive effect on hair growth.
The researchers used a PEMF and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) combination device called A-GATE®. It is manufactured by Innogene (South Korea). Interestingly, in July 2024, Innogene got approval to treat hair loss via a mitochondrial upregulation shampoo called Innogene Mitoday.
The above 24-week study on 35 men and women concurrently used PEMF and PBMT therapy, with the latter also showing a positive effect on hair growth. PBMT is more commonly known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and many studies have shown the benefits of FDA cleared LLLT devices towards scalp hair growth. In the study, the use of PEMF with LLLT resulted in an increase of 25 hairs/cm2 versus 6.5 hairs/cm2 in the sham device control group.
PEMF and Hair Growth
In August 2024, an interesting paper was published by US and Spain based scientists that examined existing evidence for physical (device related) androgenetic alopecia treatments. They covered: the normal red light wavelength LLLT; the less common blue and yellow wavelength LLLT; fractional lasers; non-ablative lasers; PEMF; and microneedling.
They did not cover the use of sound to treat hair loss. And thankfully, no-one has as yet invented any devices to replicate burning or lightening injury spurred scalp hair growth.
The paper goes in great detail when it comes to PEMF. Both as a standalone treatment, and when part of a multimodal combination hair loss treatment. They list a number of decades old studies that show the positive effect of electrical fields on hair growth. I discussed some of these in my past post on electricity and hair growth. I wonder if we will ever get any new updates on Dr. Xudong Wang’s electricity zapping cap for hair growth?
Also not to forget, we already have the Niostem wearable electrical stimulation device on the market.
Among the older hair growth related studies mentioned in the review paper include:
- The biological effects of a pulsed electrostatic field on hair growth: Electrotrichogenesis (1990).
- Essential oils and low-intensity electromagnetic pulses in the treatment of androgen alopecia (2003).
- The 2022 South Korean study that I mentioned at the top of this post.
StimuField from StimuSIL
The above research was funded by StimuSIL (US) and several of the paper’s authors are affiliated with the company. They describe a proprietary hair loss treatment device in the paper. This invention combines microneedling with laser light energy delivery for hair growth. It can only be used in an in-clinic setting.
Of more relevance to this post, on August 2, 2024, StimuSIL announced plans to launch StimuField, a new wearable product entering their biomedical device pipeline. StimuField uses pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) to improve hair and scalp health in both men and women. It is meant for at-home use. Thanks to reader “Jon Doe” for sending me this update.
