A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a wearable phototherapy device that uses customized near-infrared OLEDs to suppress hair follicle cell aging, offering a noninvasive alternative to conventional hair loss treatments. The device is designed as a soft, textile-based cap that replaces bulky helmet-type systems and delivers uniform light stimulation across the scalp. The team demonstrated that the OLED-based system can suppress aging in dermal papilla cells by up to 92%, a key factor in slowing hair loss progression.
Existing phototherapy devices rely on point light sources such as LEDs or lasers, which are rigid and limited in coverage. These systems are typically confined to indoor use and struggle to deliver consistent light across curved surfaces like the scalp. To overcome these limitations, the KAIST team integrated area-emitting OLEDs into a flexible fabric platform. The OLEDs emit light uniformly and conform to the scalp’s contours, enabling even optical stimulation without discomfort or mechanical restriction.
The researchers focused on tailoring the wavelength of light to maximize therapeutic efficacy. They extended wavelength-control techniques from display OLEDs to medical applications, fabricating customized near-infrared OLEDs that emit light in the 730 to 740 nanometer range. This wavelength is optimal for activating dermal papilla cells, which regulate hair growth at the base of hair follicles. Experiments using human dermal papilla cells showed that the device significantly outperformed conventional red-light therapy in suppressing cellular aging.
The cap’s design allows for daily use and represents a shift toward wearable phototherapy platforms that are soft, lightweight, and compatible with real-world routines, enabling noninvasive treatment without the drawbacks of rigid helmet systems. Additionally, the flexibility of OLEDs allows close contact with the scalp, improving light delivery and user comfort.
Article from KAIST: KAIST Develops Cap-Like OLED Wearable to Prevent Hair Loss, Replacing Bulky Helmet Devices
Abstract in Nature Communications: Wearable textile-based phototherapy platform with customized NIR OLEDs toward non-invasive hair loss treatment
