PEMF vs. EMF: What's the difference?

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology is a therapeutic tool that’s been used in various medical fields since the 1950s. PEMF therapy is best known for its ability to support bone healing, but in recent years, it’s also shown that it has the potential to be used for pain relief, wound healing, and improving skin and hair health. These electromagnetic fields differ from those emitted by the earth, power cables, and your household appliances as they're designed to emit specific frequencies that are beneficial and can stimulate your cells.

Electromagnetic Fields vs. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields 

• Electromagnetic fields are everywhere. Man-made electromagnetic fields are present in everything from power lines to household appliances, while natural electromagnetic fields come from the Earth itself, with many living organisms reacting to them.

• Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) are widely used in medical and wellness devices. Pulsed electromagnetic field technology became popular in the 1950s and is now used in tools that support bone and skin repair, reduce inflammation, and promote healthier hair and skin.

• Certain electromagnetic fields can be dangerous. Living or working nearby continuously operating electromagnetic fields, such as high powered radar facilities, broadcasting antennas, and mobile phone base stations, could be detrimental to your health. However, the electromagnetic fields you’re exposed to daily when you use tools like phones, microwaves, and PEMF devices are safe for most people. Differentiating between safe and harmful electromagnetic fields is important, which is why they’re strictly regulated.

What are EMFs?

Electromagnetic fields, often referred to as EMFs, are energy fields generated by electrically charged objects. EMFs aren’t inherently dangerous – the Earth itself produces its own magnetic field, after all. Some animals even use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate and migrate as the seasons change. 

Man-made EMFs, which come from a wide variety of sources, including electrically charged tools, power lines, and radio towers, have the potential to affect people’s health both positively and negatively. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are a specific type of man-made EMF that are designed to have beneficial effects when delivered therapeutically.  

Man-made EMFs

About a century ago, man-made EMFs weren’t that common. Refrigerators and televisions were only just starting to become popular, and most people had just a few other devices – like radios and landline telephones – in their homes. 

But these days, EMFs are widely used and well regulated. Your kitchen appliances, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, electric shaver, and computer all produce EMFs. EMFs are also emitted by medical machinery, like X-rays and MRI machines.

The EMFs in your home are generally considered to be harmless. Most home devices only produce EMFs at low levels – and you’re not consistently exposed to them because they’re not always in use. Plus, EMF-emitting devices that are running 24/7, like your fridge, are usually in a different room or at least a few feet away from you.

EMF-emitting devices can be broken up into several different types, depending on their frequency range. You might see devices categorized as having extremely low frequency (ELF) or radiofrequency (RF) fields, or notice that EMF-emitting devices produce electromagnetic radiation. This is the case for some common household appliances, like mobile phones and microwave ovens, as well as many medical tools used in clinics and hospitals. [1-3]

In general, all of these devices are considered safe, but there are often regulations and additional safety guidelines related to devices that emit electromagnetic radiation. For example, microwave ovens, which operate at high power levels, are only meant to be used for short periods of time. Additionally, most countries require them to be built with extensive shielding so that any leakage that occurs during use is minimal. This is the same principle that occurs in hospitals, when people have X-rays or MRIs – the radiation technicians and other medical staff who may be exposed to these fields on a regular basis always leave the room, shielding themselves from repeated exposure. [1-6]

What is PEMF?

Pulsed electromagnetic fields are a specialized type of man-made EMF that have been specifically designed for therapeutic purposes. Unlike the continuous or random frequencies of general EMFs, PEMF uses brief, controlled pulses. PEMF devices use specific frequencies and intensities designed to target cellular functions. [7]

Not all PEMF products work the same way or have the same protocols installed. A PEMF device for bone healing that’s used at a hospital won’t necessarily work the same way as a medical-grade PEMF device that’s meant to improve cardiovascular health. Similarly, don’t expect a high-powered PEMF device you’ve used at your doctor’s office to have the same effect as a PEMF mat you buy online. Most PEMF devices for home-use are designed as low powered tools to improve their safety. The good news is that they make up for their lower intensity by allowing you to use them more frequently, sometimes recommending even multiple uses a day.

Electromagnetic fields and health issues

Electromagnetic fields are generally considered to be safe because exposure is highly regulated. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection sets standards on exposure to electromagnetic fields, which form the basis for the national guidelines established in each country. [1]

However, there have been some recently reported negative effects associated with EMFs. Most are related to RF-EMF, which includes mobile phone use and phone towers. A few studies from the United States, Europe, and Asia have shown that specific types of man-made EMFs – specifically, ELF-EMFs and RF-EMFs – may be linked to increased risks of certain cancers. Other studies have remarked on the impact of RF-EMFs on fertility, and case reports have shown that increased RF-EMF exposure at the workplace can also negatively affect health in multiple ways, causing pain, fatigue, headaches, and sleep cycle disturbances. [8-13]

These reports are why major organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health, and World Health Organization are constantly looking into potential adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields. Similarly, local organizations such as the California and Connecticut Departments of Public Health provide recommendations on how to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields, both inside homes and in their nearby surroundings. [1-5, 14, 15]

If you’re concerned about the negative effects electromagnetic fields may be having on your health, there are two easy ways to deal with this: 

1. Increase the distance between yourself and the source of exposure. This can be as simple as standing a few feet away from your microwave oven when it’s turned on or charging your phone away from your bed at night. It can also be a lot more complicated, like choosing not to live or work next to a radar, phone, or radio tower. High voltage lines that are 300 feet away or closer may also be cause for concern. 

2. Limit the amount of time you’re spending around the source of exposure. If you’re not using a device, turn it off or unplug it. You can also remove yourself from temporary exposure. For example, your washer-dryer will emit EMFs, but you don’t have to be present while the machine is on. Turn the machine on and run an errand out of the house until the cycle finishes. 

Pulsed electromagnetic fields and health benefits

Pulsed electromagnetic fields have been shown to have benefits for scalp and hair health – as opposed to the limited effectiveness of EMFs. PEMF technology has been reported to reduce stress and inflammation as well as help balance hormones, all of which may improve hair health and appearance. [7]

Preclinical research has shown that PEMF therapy can speed up the hair growth process, make hair grow longer, and support hair follicle rejuvenation. Studies in people with pattern hair loss have shown that PEMF can encourage hair growth, with individuals continuing to see improvements even after a year of treatment. PEMF therapy has even been combined with other FDA-approved treatments for androgenetic alopecia, like laser hair therapy. None of these clinical studies reported any negative PEMF side effects when using this technology as a hair loss treatment. [16-21]

StimuField™ PEMF cap is the first PEMF device specifically made to boost hair and scalp health and  encourage thicker, fuller hair growth. Its portable design and ultra-low intensity fields make it safe and convenient. With just 30-minute sessions a day, StimuField PEMF cap can improve the way your hair looks before you know it.

References

1. World Health Organization. (2016.). Radiation: Electromagnetic fields. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-electromagnetic-fields‍
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Electric and magnetic fields from power lines. https://www.epa.gov/radtown/electric-and-magnetic-fields-power-lines‍
3. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2024). Electric and magnetic fields. National Institutes of Health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf‍
4. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (1996). NIOSH publication number 96-129: Questions and answers about EMF in the workplace. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-129/default.html‍
5. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2023). Electromagnetic fields in the workplace: NIOSH and OSHA resources. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/120441‍
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (n.d.). Electromagnetic field radiation. Environment, Health and Safety. https://ehs.unc.edu/topics/electromagnetic-field-radiation/‍
7. Lama, S.B.C.; Pérez-González, L.A.; Kosoglu, M.A.; Dennis, R.; Ortega-Quijano, D. Physical Treatments and Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 4534. 
8. National Cancer Institute. (2022). Electromagnetic fields and cancer. National Institutes of Health. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet#what-are-common-sources-of-non-ionizing-emfs‍
9. Gulati, S., Yadav, A., Kumar, N., Kanupriya, Aggarwal, N. K., Kumar, R., & Gupta, R. (2016). Effect of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on genetic damage in humans populations exposed to radiation from mobile towers. Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 70, 615-625.
10. McCully, K. S. (2020). Environmental pollution, oxidative stress and thioretinaco ozonide: Effects of glyphosate, fluoride and electromagnetic fields on mitochondrial dysfunction in carcinogenesis, atherogenesis and aging. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science, 50(3), 408-411.
11. McKesey, J., & Fabi, S. G. (2022). Is the technology era aging you? A review of the physiologic and psychologic toll of technology use. Dermatologic Surgery, 48(9), 978-988.
12. Hardell, L., & Koppel, T. (2023). Electromagnetic hypersensitivity close to mobile phone base stations–a case study in Stockholm, Sweden. Reviews on Environmental Health, 38(2), 219-228.
13. Rajput, R. (2016). Hair loss due to electromagnetic radiation from overuse of cell phone. J Cosmo Trichol, 2(114), 2.
14. Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2008). Electromagnetic fields (EMF) fact sheet. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/departments-and-agencies/dph/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/emffactsheet2008pdf.pdf‍
15. California Department of Public Health. (2017). CDPH issues guidelines on how to reduce exposure to radio frequency energy from cell phones [Press release]. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR17-086.aspx‍
16. Moraveji, M.; Haghighipour, N.; Keshvari, H.; Abbariki, T.N.; Shokrgozar, M.A.; Amanzadeh, A. Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on MAP2 and Nestin Gene Expression of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells. Int. J. Artif. Organs 2016, 39, 294–299. 
17. Choi, J.H.; Kim, Y.M.; Park, H.J.; Nam, M.H.; Seo, Y.K. Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Increase Cytokines in Human Hair Follicles through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 924. 
18. Li, X.; Wang, X.; Bai, L.; Zhao, P.; Zhang, M. Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields enhances hair follicle regrowth in C57BL/6 mice. Exp. Biol. Med. 2019, 244, 389–394. 
19. Maddin, W.S.; Bell, P.W.; James, J.H.M. The Biological Effects of a Pulsed Electrostatic Field with Specific Reference to Hair Electrotrichogenesis. Int. J. Dermatol. 1990, 29, 446–450. 
20. Maddin, W.S.; Amara, I.; Sollecito, W.A. Electrotrichogenesis: Further evidence of efficacy and safety on extended use. Int. J. Dermatol. 1992, 31, 878–880.
21. Choi, M.S.; Park, B.C. The efficacy and safety of the combination of photobiomodulation therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on androgenetic alopecia. J. Cosmet. Dermatol. 2023, 22, 831–836.