How to tell if it’s hair growth or hair breakage?

If you're using red light therapy, minoxidil, or another hair loss treatment, you start to look for signs that it's working. You might find yourself checking your scalp every few days, wondering whether those short strands are new growth or just breakage.

When new hairs are in the early anagen phase, they're finer and softer than existing strands and so can be easy to miss. Some of the earliest signs of new hair growth include short, fine hairs standing upright from the scalp, baby hairs appearing along the hairline, and areas that once looked thinner gradually starting to fill in. Some people also notice a mild itch or tingling sensation as hair follicles become more active. The hairline and the top of the scalp are often the first areas where new growth becomes visible.

The quickest way to tell new growth from breakage is to pull one of the short strands and look at the tip. A tapered, soft end means new growth. A blunt or frayed end means breakage. New growth also comes upward from the scalp and gets longer over time where as broken hair stays the same length.

Most people using red light therapy start to notice changes at around 12–16 weeks of consistent use. Subtle changes to look out for are a slightly fuller parting, less shedding and fine new hairs at the hairline. In our independent testing, users who consistently used the CurrentBody Skin LED Hair Growth Helmet experienced 123% more hair growth, as red light therapy helps encourage hair follicles out of their resting phase and back into active growth.

The easiest way to track your progress is with before-and-after photos. Hair growth happens gradually, so day-to-day changes are often too subtle to notice in the mirror. Alongside your treatment, a few simple habits can help support healthy hair growth: keep your scalp clean and free of product build-up, make sure you're getting enough iron, zinc, and vitamin D (as deficiencies can contribute to shedding), minimise heat styling and tight hairstyles and stay consistent with your routine. Hair follicles respond to regular, ongoing stimulation, so consistency is key.

Have questions about hair growth or red light therapy? Ask in the comments and we’ll be happy to help.