Sensse Aura Pro review: An all-in-one approach to healthier hair and scalp care

Hair loss and hair thinning affect more people than you might think, but because they're often sensitive subjects, they're not always openly discussed. This can leave people with the impression that more drastic solutions, such as hair transplants, are the only options available. However, there are other approaches worth exploring, including at-home hair and scalp treatments.

Sensse, a brand best known for its best LED face masks, has launched the Sensse Aura Pro to target concerns such as thinning hair, excess oil and general scalp health. The device is designed to let users incorporate different scalp treatments into their routine from the comfort of home, and I put it to the test for six weeks to see how it performed.

Price and availability

The Sensse Aura Pro is priced at £159.99 and is available from Sensse's website, as well as Boots, LOOKFANTASTIC, Currys, Argos and Very.

You'll also need to supply your own hair serum or tonic to use with the device. I've been pairing mine with the Bouf Flouf Factor Growth Tonic, which costs £22 and is available from Boots.

Design and features

The Sensse Aura Pro combines several technologies in one handheld tool, including low-level laser therapy (LLLT), LED light therapy, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and vibration massage.

In terms of design, the Aura Pro has a cordless build with a chocolate brown finish, a digital display and simple button controls. It measures 22 x 11 x 6.5 cm and weighs 351g, so it's relatively easy to hold and move across different areas of your scalp during a treatment.

Alongside its laser technology, the device features 30 red and blue LED lights, with each colour designed to target different concerns. Red light is intended to support hair density and growth, whilst blue light focuses on oil control and scalp clarity.

These are then organised into three dedicated treatment modes – Hair Loss, which combines red LED light with laser therapy, Oil Control, which uses blue LED light, and Scalp Care, which combines both red and blue light. I always appreciate it when a beauty gadget has modes based on specific concerns, as it makes choosing the right setting much easier than having to remember what each individual light or colour is supposed to do.

The Aura Pro also incorporates EMS technology, which uses gentle electrical pulses to stimulate the scalp. This works alongside a built-in vibration massage function, with three intensity levels to choose from depending on your preference. According to Sensse, these features are designed to encourage circulation and stimulate the scalp during treatment, adding another layer to the device's overall approach to scalp care.

Another useful addition is the 10ml automatic hair oil dispenser. Rather than having to apply your serum or tonic separately before using the device, the built-in reservoir delivers the product directly onto your scalp as you move the treatment head around. A pipette is included to make filling the dispenser easier, and there's a cleaning brush to help keep the device maintained between uses.

The Aura Pro has a 10-minute automatic timer, meaning each treatment switches off once the session is complete. It's powered by a rechargeable battery that offers up to 80 minutes of use per charge, depending on the settings selected. In the box, you'll also find a USB charging cable and instruction manual, and the device comes with a two-year guarantee.

Performance

I'll admit I was initially a little unsure about accepting the Sensse Aura Pro for review, mainly because hair loss isn't something I'm currently experiencing. However, as I've headed into my late twenties, hair thinning has become something I've increasingly noticed. Over the past five years, I've felt that my hair has become noticeably finer, particularly around my hairline, which prompted me to give the device a proper try. I'm glad I did, as the experience turned out to be more interesting than I initially expected.

To start with, the device is very straightforward to use. The included pipette makes filling the oil dispenser simple, and once that's done, you can switch it on, select your preferred treatment mode and EMS intensity, and get started. The only thing I'd mention is that your arm can start to ache a little when holding the device for the full recommended 10 minutes. However, being cordless makes it much easier to move around whist using it, rather than having to stay close to a plug socket.

I also appreciated having several dedicated treatment modes, as it meant I could focus on the settings most relevant to my concerns. I mainly used Hair Loss and Scalp Care modes, and switching between them was easy as the display shows which mode you're using.

One feature I did struggle with was the EMS. I found it quite loud, and the sensation itself took some getting used to. I'm not entirely sure whether this was down to the movement of the device across my scalp or the feeling coming through the treatment prongs, but I didn't find it particularly comfortable. Having previously tested the Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo, which also incorporates EMS through its head straps, I found that experience more relaxing as it felt closer to a gentle massage. With the Aura Pro, the sensation was a little stranger, particularly when moving it around my head. Thankfully, you can switch EMS off completely, which is a welcome option if, like me, you don't particularly enjoy the feeling.

Of course, the main thing I wanted to find out was whether the Aura Pro actually made a difference, and I've been pleasantly surprised by my experience so far. I've used it for six weeks, following the recommended routine of 10 minutes per session, four times a week. Around the fourth week, I started noticing that less hair seemed to be falling out when I brushed or washed it. I hadn't made any other significant changes to my haircare routine, aside from introducing the laser device and hair tonic, so it was an encouraging change to notice during testing.

More recently, I've also started noticing what looks like new growth around my hairline. It's still early days, and I can't say for certain how much of a difference the device itself has made, particularly as I've been using it alongside the Bouf tonic. However, seeing these changes over the six-week testing period has certainly encouraged me to keep going. I'm interested to see how things develop with more consistent use

With four 10-minute sessions a week, I was able to get around a week to a week and a half of use from a single charge, which was perfectly fine. When it did need charging, the USB-C connection made it quick and convenient to top up.

One thing that did take a little getting used to was finding the right time to fit the Aura Pro into my routine. Because you're applying hair tonic directly to your scalp, your hair can feel quite greasy afterwards. I eventually settled on using the device for 10 minutes before bed, loosely plaiting my hair overnight and washing it the following morning. This worked best for me, as it meant I didn't have to worry about styling my hair straight after treatment. It's something worth bearing in mind when planning your routine, particularly if you're someone who prefers to shower in the evenings. Leaving the tonic on your scalp overnight also gives it more time to sit before your next wash.

Verdict

Overall, I've found the Sensse Aura Pro to be a really useful addition to my haircare routine. Its biggest strength is its versatility, with three dedicated modes that cover everything from hair thinning to oil control and general scalp care. It's easy to use, comfortable to incorporate into a regular routine and offers plenty of customisation, whilst the built-in serum dispenser is a great addition. The EMS function wasn't quite to my taste, and the 10 minute sessions can cause minor arm ache, but these are relatively minor drawbacks. It's also worth remembering that consistency is key with this type of treatment, and results won't happen overnight.

Alternatives to consider

If you're looking at other options, a similar device is the Rootique Duo, although its main focus is scalp serum application. It's designed to help improve serum absorption, with the brand claiming up to 3.5 times greater absorption compared with applying products by hand. It also features built-in 660nm red light therapy, compared with the Aura Pro's 650nm laser technology.

Another alternative is the CurrentBody LED Hair Growth Helmet, which takes a different approach by using red light therapy across the scalp. This could be worth considering if you're particularly interested in light-based hair treatments, although it's a considerably more expensive option.