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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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Scientists Create Smart Light Cap That Reverses Hair Cell Aging by 92%

Hair loss affects millions of people worldwide and can deeply impact confidence and quality of life. For decades, treatments have mainly relied on medicines or bulky light-therapy helmets. While drugs may help, long-term use often raises concerns about side effects. Traditional phototherapy devices, on the other hand, are heavy, rigid, and inconvenient, keeping users tied to indoor spaces.

Now, a breakthrough from international researchers may change everything.

A joint research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a soft, wearable, hat-like phototherapy device that uses advanced OLED light technology. Even more impressive, laboratory tests show it can reduce aging in hair-follicle cells by up to 92%, a major factor responsible for hair loss.

Their findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, marking a significant step forward in non-invasive hair-loss treatment.

Why Current Hair-Loss Treatments Fall Short

Today’s hair-loss solutions generally fall into two categories: medication and phototherapy.

Drug-based treatments can stimulate hair growth, but many users worry about side effects, especially with long-term use. This has pushed scientists to search for safer alternatives.

Phototherapy—using light to stimulate hair follicles—has emerged as a promising option. However, most existing devices are helmet-shaped, rigid, and bulky. They typically use point light sources such as LEDs or lasers, which create uneven lighting across the scalp. As a result, some areas receive strong light while others receive very little.

Because of their size and stiffness, these devices are also impractical for daily life. Users usually must sit still indoors during treatment sessions.

The researchers wanted to solve all these problems at once.

From Hard Helmets to Soft, Fabric-Like Caps

Led by Professor Kyung Cheol Choi at KAIST, in collaboration with Professor Yun Chi’s group at HKUST, the team replaced traditional point light sources with area-emitting OLEDs (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes).

Unlike LEDs or lasers, OLEDs produce light evenly across their entire surface. This allowed the scientists to design a soft, textile-based wearable cap that naturally fits the shape of the scalp.

Instead of placing small lights at fixed points, the new device spreads gentle light uniformly over the whole head. The OLED panels are thin, flexible, and lightweight, making the cap comfortable to wear—much like a regular hat.

Because the device is fabric-like and portable, users could potentially wear it while relaxing, reading, or doing light daily activities.

This simple design change solves one of the biggest challenges in phototherapy: delivering consistent light to every part of the scalp.

The Real Breakthrough: Fine-Tuned Light for Hair Growth

Creating a wearable cap was only part of the achievement.

The most important scientific advance lies in how precisely the researchers engineered the light itself.

Different cells respond differently to various light wavelengths. Knowing this, the team adapted wavelength-control techniques originally developed for display screens and applied them to medical therapy.

They designed custom OLEDs that emit near-infrared (NIR) light in the 730–740 nanometer range. This specific range turned out to be ideal for activating dermal papilla cells—special cells located at the base of hair follicles that play a key role in regulating hair growth.

When these cells age or become inactive, hair growth slows and thinning begins.

By carefully tuning the light wavelength, the researchers were able to directly target these critical cells.

92% Reduction in Hair-Follicle Cell Aging

To test their device, the team conducted experiments on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in the laboratory.

The results were striking.

Cells exposed to the customized near-infrared OLED light showed about a 92% reduction in aging markers compared to untreated cells. This performance was significantly better than conventional red-light therapies.

In simple terms, the specialized light helped keep hair-follicle cells younger and healthier—exactly what is needed to slow or prevent hair loss.

This level of effectiveness highlights the power of combining wearable technology with precisely engineered light.

A Safer, Non-Invasive Approach

One of the most promising aspects of this innovation is that it is non-invasive. There are no needles, no surgery, and no chemicals entering the body.

Instead, gentle near-infrared light stimulates natural cellular activity. This makes the technology especially appealing for people seeking safer, long-term hair-care solutions.

First author Dr. Eun Hae Cho explained that the goal was to move away from rigid helmet devices and create something people could realistically use every day.

“We propose a wearable phototherapy platform that fits into daily life,” she said. “Our key achievement is showing that carefully engineered light wavelengths can effectively suppress hair-follicle cell aging.”

Designed for Real Life

Professor Kyung Cheol Choi emphasized the practical advantages of OLED technology.

“OLEDs are thin and flexible, so they conform closely to the curved surface of the scalp,” he noted. “This allows uniform light stimulation over the entire area.”

Because the cap is soft and lightweight, future versions could be worn at home or even during light activities, making hair treatment far more convenient than current options.

The research team now plans to move forward with preclinical studies to confirm safety and effectiveness in more realistic conditions. If successful, this could eventually lead to real-world therapeutic products.

A Glimpse into the Future of Hair Care

This innovation represents more than just a new gadget—it signals a shift in how we think about treating hair loss.

By combining textile-based wearables, advanced OLED engineering, and targeted phototherapy, scientists have created a platform that is:

  • Comfortable and portable

  • Non-invasive and drug-free

  • Scientifically optimized for hair-follicle health

  • Capable of delivering uniform light across the scalp

While more testing is needed before consumer products become available, the results so far are highly encouraging.

For millions struggling with hair thinning and baldness, the future may no longer involve heavy helmets or long-term medication—but instead, a simple smart cap powered by light.

Reference:
Eun Hae Cho et al., Wearable textile-based phototherapy platform with customized NIR OLEDs toward non-invasive hair loss treatment, Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-68258-3

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