What Patients are Saying about the HairMax Lasercomb and Laser Therapy (LLLT)

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the HairMax Lasercomb  as a  hair loss treatment, controversy as to whether or not laser therapy is effective as a hair loss treatment still exists.  The makers of the handheld one diode  Hairmax Lasercomb, Lexington International LLC, claim that their product  increases the number of thick hairs on the scalp based on their 26-week clinical trials.  Yet, despite trials submitted to the FDA for both safety and efficacy, many patients and hair loss doctors alike are skeptics.

As the device’s name suggests, the HairMax Lasercomb combines a low-level laser with a comb. When drawn through the hair, the laser strikes the scalp to promote hair growth, according to the company.   The  laser comb is  sold on the Web for $545. It is the only drug-free  hair loss treatment  meant for home use in combatting hair loss that’s garnered  FDA clearance.  Since then, several other laser devices have come on the market, such as the laser cap.  The laser cap contains multiple diodes and when placed on the scalp, lasers from all direction target and penetrate the scalp, allegedly stimulating hair regrowth of miniaturizing hair follicles.

According to a press release from Lexington International, the makers of the Hair Max Laser comb   –

“For the FDA submission, Lexington conducted an extensive clinical study in four different locations around The United States. The study concluded that 93% of the participants (ages 30-60) using the HairMax LaserComb had an increase in the number of terminal (thick) hairs. The average number of terminal hairs per square centimeter increased by 19 hairs/cm ² over a six-month period. During the study, there were not any reports of serious adverse events. The number and types of adverse events were similar in both the active and placebo groups.

Lexington’s clinical study demonstrating the efficacy of the HairMax LaserComb in females is concluding and we will be submitting the data to the FDA shortly.”

Laser hair therapy  is also being offered by many hair restoration clinics. Some hair transplant physicians such as Dr. Alan Bauman, Dr. Scott Williams and Dr. Bob Leonard have been using clinical low light laser devises in their clinics for well over 5 years. They believe that such treatment can accelerate both healing and hair growth after hair transplant surgery. It also provides a treatment option for women with diffuse hair loss who are not candidates for Propecia.

While low level laser therapy may provide marginal benefit to men and women suffering from hair loss, it appears that Propecia and Rogaine 5% (especially the foam) are significantly more effective in regrowing hair.  Laser therapy is said to be about as effective as Rogaine 2% (minoxidil) for women. 

Laser therapy may have some advantages in accelerating the healing process after hair transplant surgery.

Low light laser therapy has been used for many years in treatments intended to accelerate healing for other aliments.

On MHR’s website it describes laser hair treatment as – “Low level laser therapy (LLLT) works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, encouraging hair growth. The unique laser light penetrates into the scalp tissue where it stimulates the micro-circulation, improves cellular metabolism, and protein synthesis. Furthermore, European studies establish that LLLT increases blood and lymph circulation at the hair roots, decreases inflammation, and energizes follicular cells causing hair to grow thicker and fuller.”

According to Dr. Matt Leavitt “Chief Medical Advisor to Lexington” –

“The HairMax LaserComb is a method of treatment that can be of great help to men of all ages suffering from hair loss. I am impressed with the protocol and results from the clinical trials that Lexington has conducted. With the FDA clearing the HairMax LaserComb as a medical device, it offers an attractive option for hair growth for medical practitioners. We can now deliver a new modality to our patients and achieve strong user satisfaction”.

For years, patients had an opportunity to share their LLLT experiences on our free hair restoration forum.  However, very few actual patients have shared success stories.  The majority of individuals who had undergone some kind of laser therapy were left wanting and waiting for hair that never regrew. 

To view interesting comments about the Hair Max Laser that were posted previously on  our discussion forum visit FDA approves HairMax Laser in the Open Hair Loss Topics forum.

Whether or not the the one diode Hair Max Laser hand held comb or the hooded clinical device with over 100 diodes works for the patient, I expect they will work very well at growing revenue for those clinics who market them.

Bill – Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog. To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit our Hair Restoration Discussion Forum.

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