The Marketing of Laser Therapy

This insightful article was written by well respected discussion forum  member “JoTronic” named Joe Tillman, an employee of Hasson and Wong

While I am not qualified to argue the pros/cons on a scientific level like trained doctors I did take on the issue of how these products are marketed. I first became interested then concerned about the use of laser therapy for hair loss when the news of it’s FDA clearance was so liberally tossed around in the media. Understandably, the media latched onto this development with sensational coverage but after reviewing the FDA submission and subsequent clearance obvious discrepancies regarding the claims vs. the truth emerged. I covered this extensively in a previous post here.

According to Dr. Bauman, on air no less, laser light therapy with regards to hair loss is only “marginally” as effective as Propecia or Rogaine. While I even question laser therapy’s effectiveness as being marginal at best I have a big problem with how it is marketed.   Any and every outfit that offers a variant on the laser therapy that was CLEARED by the FDA (for safety) is claiming the same for their own product. This is true for both the hand held devices and the hoods that are in distribution. While the hand held devices are relatively harmless on the wallet, the hood devices are demanding upwards of $5000.00 per year of treatment. How can something that is “marginal” in it’s effectiveness be so expensive?

When you look at the mechanics of laser light therapy it is crucial to examine the details of the emitting diodes. They are class IIIA diodes operating in the 650nm range.     The cost is about $3500.00 to $4000.00 per year.

Coincidentally, there are other items that are available for purchase that operate in the same 650nm range and are given the same Class IIIA label.   the cost is $18.95

To be fair, I am not saying that each product operates exactly the same. The only variable that is unknown (at the time of this writing) is the difference in power output but what is not in question is that both of these devices put out the exact same “healing powers”.

Let it be clear that my motivation for even getting involved in this is only because I feel it is seriously misleading to the BUYING public. As I always say, I am a patient first, so I don’t like it when patients purchase hair loss treatments under false pretense. As a professional in this industry, I could easily make a some cash personally endorsing this product and the clinic I represent could just as easily purchase one of the clinical units or the hand held units for resale. I/we do not, because as I tell patients in consultation, if I/we thought this worked and was worth your hard earned money, we’d offer it.

I understand that my voice will do hardly anything to put a dent in this already hard rolling marketing machine but if I can cause even one person to stop and at least think then my efforts are worthwhile. Think, learn, apply.

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Bill
Associate Publisher

Technorati Tags: laser therapy, FDA, laser light therapy, hair loss, Propecia, Rogaine