Laduora Duo 4-in-1 Red Light Therapy Scalp and Hair Care Device Review: Custom Goals

TriangleUpBuy NowMultiple Buying Options Available$300 at Laduora$260 at AmazonCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyRating:7/10Open rating explainerInformationWIREDSimple handheld device that looks like a hairbrush with only one button. Can personalize hair goals with different pod serums. Combines four techniques to maximize benefits.

Easy five-minute sessions. Hair looked smoother after one use.TIREDPod serums need to be purchased and replaced bimonthly, and make hair slightly greasy.

Bristles are hard and can get stuck in hair. Must be used consistently for results.I have chronically dry hair that grows at a snail's pace.

When it does get to my desired length, the ends split and I'm left needing to cut, essentially negating all of the new growth. My hair is also very thin and tends to tangle, resulting in breakage and large chunks that pull out when I brush. While I've mostly given up on my quest for Rapunzel-length hair, I do want to ensure that I'm doing what I can to cultivate a healthy scalp for new hair growth.

I previously tested the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet, a large, Bluetooth-enabled helmet that uses infrared LED lights to spur hair growth and promote scalp health when used consistently for 12 weeks. Rather than a large red-light wearable (like a red-light therapy mask), the Laduora Duo 4-in-1 Red Light Therapy Scalp and Hair Care Device utilizes the more familiar style of a hairbrush, and uses not only red-light therapy to support hair growth but also incorporates microcurrents, sonic vibration, warmth, and a serum.So, did all of these extras actually give me longer, thicker hair worthy of a Danielle Steel book cover?

Not exactly. I didn't notice my hair growing longer, but I did see baby hairs sprout on my hairline, and the pod serums helped smooth flyaways.Not Your Grandma’s HairbrushPhotograph: Molly HigginsThe Laduora Duo aims to support stronger, thicker hair in multiple ways: red-light therapy at 660 nanometers, microcurrents at 330 to 400 microamperes, sonic vibration, warmth, and a serum.

Laduora claims you'll see results in as few as four weeks by using the device for five minutes daily, though as you get used to it, you can use it for up to 30 minutes daily.The device looks just like a high-tech brush. It plugs in via a USB cable and takes about four hours to fully charge, then lasts for 60 minutes on a single charge (about 12 individual five-minute sessions).

The brush has just one button to turn it on and off, and with the button, you also toggle through the three modes: Gentle, Balance, and Boost. There isn't a ton of information about the different settings, but each one increased the overall intensity of the vibrations, which are felt through the small, rounded metal nib bristles that vibrate the scalp in short, buzzy intervals. These bristles are short, hard, and don't move, so be careful because they can get stuck in tangled hair (more on that below).

After the five-minute session, the device automatically turns off.Photograph: Molly HigginsMake sure your hair is (mostly) clean for best results; you can use the device on dry or damp hair. Ensure the brush teeth are all touching your scalp, then you’ll brush front to back and side to side, or in circular motions, to cover the entire area of your scalp.

The brush has a center hole where you insert the serum pod, which releases through the brush tips to enhance the desired results. The Boost serum (which came with my test unit) aims to combat thinning and shedding; Balance restores the scalp's natural pH with rose, raspberry seed, argan, and castor oils; and Awaken offers soothing, cooling relief for irritation with a blend of peppermint, tea tree oil, and aloe extract.Whichever formula you choose, each pod costs $30 for a two-pack and lasts for about nine sessions, meaning you'll need to buy them about every two to three weeks if you use the pods daily.

You can only buy replacement pods through Laduora’s website. The device is usable without the pods, but the treatment will no longer have the serum benefits. My hair looked noticeably shinier with fewer flyaways when using the serum, but it did make my hair a little greasier-looking afterward (despite Laduora's claims that it won't).

A Solo Scalp MassagePhotograph: Molly HigginsWhile on, the brush device heats up to 108 degrees Fahrenheit to increase blood flow and allow the pod ingredients to absorb deeper into the scalp, follicle, and hair shaft. However, the effect I felt most physically was the vibration. The vibrating teeth are akin to a quasi-scalp massage, which helps to reduce tension and promote blood flow.

I felt the tingly sensation you get when someone plays with your hair or lightly scratches your scalp with their fingers. The microcurrents work with the warmth to promote hair growth by boosting blood circulation and stimulating follicles. It was hard for me to differentiate between the microcurrents and vibrations, as the