Revolutionizing Morning Routines: A Review of HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter
In the realm of wellness and self-care, red light therapy has emerged as a promising trend, touted for its potential benefits in hair growth, skin health, and muscle relaxation. HigherDose, a wellness company, has taken this trend to the next level with its innovative Red Light Showerhead Filter. This device combines the benefits of red light therapy with a 10-stage shower water filter, promising to boost glow, circulation, mood, and skin & scalp health.
Design and Functionality
The HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter is a sleek and ingenious device that mates an outer, external ring of lights with a small-diameter showerhead. The ring of red LEDs is charged separately via USB-C and can be pushed up onto the showerhead and rotated to lock in place. The water-resistant, covered charging port is positioned away from where the water flows.
The showerhead has a power switch, but it’s best operated via its little shower-safe remote control, which is also charged by USB-C. Click the On button, and the remote will pair with the showerhead. The red light turns on for 5, 10, or 15 minutes. While the buttons are not clearly marked, once you’ve got the remote figured out, the red light does indeed offer relaxation and a little bit of drama to your morning shower.
Effectiveness of Filtration
As far as the water filter goes, I can vouch for the fact that HigherDose’s 10-stage filter is quite effective at reducing total chlorine in my water to undetectable levels, as measured by chemical tests I performed at home. Unlike most shower water filters I test, the filter removed all total chlorine levels down to undetectable levels in my chloramine-treated water system.
The filter is fairly complex compared to many other shower filters. Most contain some combination of activated carbon, calcium sulfite, and KDF-55 filter media. HigherDose’s adds a layer of vitamin C, which has been demonstrated to reduce chlorine and other contaminants. There are also layers of vitamin E (vague wellness) and a layer of “far-infrared ceramic balls” whose claims to filtration seem more dubious. A stainless steel mesh layer traps some sediment.
Red Light Therapy: Separating Fact from Fiction
Red light therapy belongs to a broad class of treatments that medical researchers optimistically call “emerging.” Clinicians at Stanford University and elsewhere don’t see much potential for harm, and indeed a lot of potential promise, in using red light therapy to help spur thicker hair growth or reduce wrinkles. For both hair growth and skin blemishes, WIRED reviewers have anecdotally also seen good results with some devices.
However, we’re still mostly in the “throwing gum against the wall” phase. Researchers don’t seem to have agreed on appropriate dosing. Theories run rampant as to why red light works at all (mitochondria maybe, or maybe better blood flow or collagen production). Proposed benefits have proliferated in the medical literature and especially on the marketing websites of red light therapy companies.
Which is to say, any particular health or dose claims should be taken with a grain of salt. But as an industry standard, home red light devices tend to max out at an irradiance of 200 milliwatts per square centimeter. This is also the irradiance of HigherDose’s showerhead. Company reps say this leads to an optimal light density at a distance of 6 to 18 inches, the assumed distance of your head from the shower.
Conclusion
The HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter is a unique and innovative device that combines the benefits of red light therapy with a 10-stage shower water filter. While the effectiveness of red light therapy is still being researched, the device’s ability to reduce total chlorine in water to undetectable levels is a significant advantage. With a price point of $599, it’s a significant investment, but for those looking to upgrade their morning routine and prioritize their health and wellness, it may be worth considering.
Ultimately, the HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter is a device that’s worth trying, but with a grain of salt. As with any health or wellness trend, it’s essential to approach with a critical and open-minded perspective, separating fact from fiction and understanding the potential benefits and limitations. By doing so, you can make an informed decision about whether this device is right for you.
