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 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 Higgins
Make 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 Massage
Photograph: Molly Higgins
While 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 microcurrents also produce a low vibration that felt similar.
