A premium laser hair growth helmet that’s easy to stick with, but the high price and slow results may not suit everyone
After thoroughly testing and researching this device, I’ve concluded that it may be ideal for those who catch hair loss early and want the most powerful technology available. While it’s not the most discreet option, and progress using it is gradual and subtle, the technology packed into it seems to justify the cost. Consider buying it if you prioritize maximum power and coverage, but if you need something more discreet or affordable, this might not be the right device for you.
Pros
- Combination of LEDs and lasers
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Built-in ventilation
- Maximum coverage
- Has a wireless option
Cons
- Premium price tag
- Not exactly discreet
There are tons of treatments for hair thinning and shedding available, but if you’re looking for a high-tech option, you’ve likely come across red light therapy. Lately, laser hair growth devices have been gaining popularity as a non-invasive option for hair loss, as it is thought to stimulate hair follicles and support hair regrowth.
| Product name | iRESTORE Elite |
| Price | $1,799 |
| Rating | 4.5/5 |
| Verdict | A premium laser hair growth helmet that’s easy to stick with |
| Specs | 500 LEDs and lasers12-minute sessionsFDA-cleared technologyHands-free wearable designWireless battery operation |
I’ve tested many red light therapy devices before, but never hair growth tech, so I remained skeptical about it for quite some time. To finally put my skepticism to rest, I opted to test iRESTORE Elite—a device that positions itself as a premium option in the market.
After testing the ins and outs of this device over several months, I’m sharing my honest review below—covering its features, my personal experience, and whether it’s truly worth the $1,799 investment.
What is iRESTORE Elite?
iRESTORE Elite is a hair growth device that uses red light therapy designed to target the scalp and hair follicles. What sets it apart from competitors is that it combines lasers and LEDs to deliver red light to the scalp.
Lasers emit concentrated light to provide spot stimulation, while the LEDs cover a broader surface area, so light is distributed evenly to hair follicles.
According to the brand, the benefits of this technology may potentially include reduced shedding, stronger follicles, and thicker-looking hair.
These claims are backed by a clinical trial during which participants reported a 43% increase in mature hair count compared to those who wore a placebo helmet over a 16-week period. It’s important to note that any potential improvements in hair thickness require consistent use—the brand recommends daily 12-minute sessions.
Also, the device is designed to be safe for at-home use. It holds FDA clearance, meaning that the documentation provided by the brand proved that the device is as safe and effective as similar products for sale.
Does iRESTORE live up to its price?
iRESTORE Elite is the most premium investment in iRESTORE’s hair growth line, priced at $1,799. However, the wireless option costs an additional $99.
For this price, your purchase is protected by a 12-month money-back guarantee (limited to one return per household) and a 3-year warranty. Plus, it doesn’t require any app subscriptions. It’s a one-and-done deal.
Compared to similar products on the market, iRESTORE Elite is on the higher end. Helmets and caps from CurrentBody, Kiierr, and Theradome are in the $860 to $1,000 range. But for the higher price, you get more value: maximized scalp coverage, a significantly higher diode count, and enhanced comfort.
By contrast, Capillus is more expensive than iRESTORE ($3,299), yet it offers fewer total light diodes (maxing out around 312 compared to the Elite’s 500). In this case, spending more does not necessarily get you a better product.
Ultimately, a purchase at this price only makes sense if you’ll genuinely use it consistently. If you abandon it after a month, it becomes an extremely expensive shelf ornament. However, if you are committed to the routine, it can bring your cost per session way down. Compared to the price of supplements, medicine, and various treatments, such an investment can help you save in the long run.
How comfortable is iRESTORE Elite for daily wear?
Upon opening iRESTORE Elite, I was immediately greeted with several pamphlets, so getting started with my device was a breeze.
The helmet itself comes inside a hard-shell protective case. It is lightweight yet sturdy, so you can be assured the device is safe during transportation. Plus, I noticed it has a built-in handle so you can carry it around without it slipping out of your hands.
While taking the helmet out, I liked that the design is minimalistic with a pop of color, giving off a modern and sleek look. To me, it looks and feels much more polished than cheaper caps. It doesn’t look like a medical device at all—it feels more lifestyle-oriented, which makes it far less intimidating than clinic treatments.
Wearing it for the first time felt a little awkward, not gonna lie, and I might have gotten a few humorous looks from my partner. A helmet device will never really look discreet, so you’ll just have to sit with it. Despite this, it was very lightweight and comfortable to wear. Inside, it features plush silicone cushions that can be easily added or removed with a simple locking and unlocking motion. They ensure a plush, customized fit to the head. The helmet also features ventilation so the warmth doesn’t cause discomfort.
During the actual session, the battery pack I purchased separately made a huge difference. It is incredibly convenient: the helmet’s controller magnetically sticks to it, and the battery can be clipped onto your clothing for completely hands-free use. I could walk around and complete various tasks without any issues, and I haven’t noticed any noise or heat while wearing it, either.
Inside, I also found a pouch with the power cable and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Cleaning the device is very simple since the smooth plastic material wipes down easily.
The helmet with the case might take up more space than a simple LED face mask, but it keeps the device protected and the battery and cables organized in one place, which I can appreciate.
How realistic is it to use iRESTORE Elite every day?
iRESTORE Elite includes several features that make everyday use effortless. Thanks to its high power, sessions are kept to just 12 minutes, which genuinely made sticking to the routine easier for me. I didn’t have to watch the clock, either—it has a built-in timer that automatically turns the device off when your session is up.
The battery pack lasts up to two weeks on a full charge, which is long enough that I never felt annoyed by constantly needing to plug it in. Charging is also straightforward—just plug the power cable into the battery and a wall outlet.
While the wireless battery makes it portable, I only used it at home while multitasking or relaxing, as wearing a helmet outside the house felt a bit too awkward. Also, due to its size, I wouldn’t say the device is travel-friendly. If you are flying, you will definitely need checked luggage to carry it. Because it takes up so much space, I usually ended up skipping my daily sessions whenever I traveled.
Aside from trips, using it at home for the past four months has been no issue. Over time, the setup just became second nature to me. However, since I’ve only been at it for a few months, I can’t say how easy it will be to keep up with this routine for several years.
Overall, I see this device as a great fit for multitaskers and people who are already used to daily wellness gadgets. The portability is convenient, provided you have the dedication required to use it consistently over the long haul.
My experience using iRESTORE Elite
Weeks 1 and 2 of testing this device were mostly about forming a habit. The biggest challenge wasn’t actually using it—it was remembering to use it consistently. I also had no issues on the comfort front, the cushions and lightweight design made sure of that. After these first two weeks, I still remained skeptical since I hadn’t seen any improvements yet, but I knew that was to be expected.
Weeks 3–6 brought about some slight shedding. However, I wasn’t worried, as the brand indicates this might happen due to weaker hairs resetting. Even though these kinds of results aren’t exactly encouraging, I pushed myself to stick with the sessions. Up to this point, I hadn’t experienced any unusual scalp sensations, and the routine itself had become much easier to maintain.
By weeks 7–12, the shedding had subsided to the point that it appeared my hair loss was even less noticeable than before I started using this device. I was also pleasantly surprised to see peach-fuzz-like hairs forming around my hairline. There was no visible thickening or true baby hairs yet, but the subtle improvements were there—they just possibly required more time and continued consistency.
Results and performance
While I kept my expectations low prior to testing, my skepticism faded once I noticed a slight decrease in shedding and the appearance of new peach fuzz around my hairline. Given my lifelong hair concerns like lack of fullness and shedding, this was the progress I had secretly hoped for.
That being said, it is important to manage your expectations. The device does not offer an overnight fix, and even these subtle improvements required significant time. After 12 weeks of consistent use, I have not yet experienced an increase in overall hair density, though this may possibly change with longer use.
By contrast, one of iRESTORE’s biggest claims is that consistent use of the Elite device can lead to visible hair growth within 16 weeks. The brand backs this with a clinical trial where participants saw a 43% increase in mature hair count compared to those who wore a placebo helmet over a 16-week period. The brand is clearly confident in these results, as they offer a generous 12-month money-back guarantee.
Of course, outcomes will vary from person to person, as they did for me. This variability usually comes down to consistency, the root cause of the hair loss, and the stage of thinning.
It’s worth noting that the device is not intended for people who are completely bald or experiencing advanced hair loss, as there may not be living follicles left to support. Instead, it is designed for early intervention—specifically targeting thinning hair where the follicles are still active but weakening.
Finally, keep in mind that the market is flooded with hair growth devices, and not all of them are effective. Many rely on unrealistic marketing promises, and sometimes the “results” you see online are simply caused by a difference in lighting.
Safety, side effects, and who should avoid it
iRESTORE Elite is generally considered safe for home use. It holds FDA clearance, which means it’s as safe and effective as other similar products on the market.
iRESTORE Elite does not emit hot or harmful heat and is designed with a ventilated cooling system to help prevent warmth buildup inside the helmet.
For eye safety, the device has built-in sensors that ensure the lights turn off when the helmet is taken off.
That said, red light therapy might not be the best option for everyone, and some individuals might be more susceptible to side effects than others. Because of this, you should always speak with a medical professional beforehand to ensure it’s a safe option for your individual situation.
iRESTORE Elite vs. alternatives
Take a look below to see how iRESTORE Elite stacks up against similar competitors on the market.
iRESTORE Elite vs. CurrentBody Hair Growth Helmet
Both devices prioritize comfort by being lightweight and featuring soft head support. In terms of design, iRESTORE Elite has a sleeker look, while CurrentBody offers two helmet sizes to ensure a better fit.
Regarding portability, CurrentBody is truly wireless, whereas iRESTORE requires an additional battery pack to use without being plugged into a wall. Finally, CurrentBody’s session time is two minutes shorter, though such a minor difference may not make that much of a change in your daily routine.
iRESTORE Elite vs. Capillus
The main advantage of Capillus that iRESTORE doesn’t have is discretion. Capillus LEDs and lasers are embedded inside a cap, making it less obvious than iRESTORE’s helmet. However, its price is significantly higher than iRESTORE’s, and it maxes out at only 312 lasers.
iRESTORE Elite vs. Kiierr
While iRESTORE offers more affordable entry-level models for hair growth compared to Kiierr, their most advanced model sits at the same price. The difference lies in the fact that Kiierr Ultra Flex Cap keeps sessions to 6 minutes but has fewer lasers and LEDs than iRESTORE Elite.
Who should actually buy iRESTORE Elite?
iRESTORE Elite may be a great choice if you can stick to a routine and don’t mind wearing a device that isn’t particularly discreet. Just remember it’s designed for early-stage thinning—it won’t be a right fit for advanced hair loss or anyone on a tight budget, given its premium price tag.
Other red light therapy reviews:
- Best red light therapy devices for neck: Options for every routine
- Best red light therapy devices for cellulite: What actually works
- Best full body red light therapy devices: Tested picks for home and clinic use
- Best red light therapy masks: Tested picks for every skin goal
- Kiierr vs. iRESTORE: Which hair growth device is right for you?
Final thoughts
When using iRESTORE Elite, I noticed subtle improvements in my hair, including reduced hair shedding and peach fuzz appearing around my hairline. While the progress was gradual, this is expected from any red light therapy device.
Given the technology packed into this device, it offers solid value for the money. I would recommend it to anyone who has caught hair thinning early and is willing to stick to a long-term routine. Unfortunately, it’s not an ideal choice for advanced hair loss and those on a tight budget.
References:
- Bodian Dermatology and Medical Spa. Visible Red Light Laser and LED Sources to Grow Human Scalp Hair in Males and Females.
