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I was asked yesterday what my thoughts were on the lasercomb and other various laser hair loss treatments currently available. Admittedly, I’m not incredibly knowledgeable about them, rather I just have a personal opinion. This is what I wrote in response:
“As far as the Lasercomb, I haven’t tried it. Any hair loss treatment (no matter what it is) can cause what they call the “dread shed,” which is excessive shedding for a couple months before you see improvement. Truth be told, I can’t afford to shed anymore hair than I already am. Since I personally don’t think very much of the laser treatments, it’s really not worth it to me. I think that there would be women screaming from the mountain tops “I got my hair back, look at my pictures” if it were really all it was hyped up to be. Hair loss treatment is always a very personal choice, but for me I wasn’t willing to try the lasercomb.”
Like I mentioned this is just my opinion. I would love to hear other women’s experiences with laser hair loss treatments, whether it was the Hairmax Laser Comb, the Laser Hair Brush by Sunetics etc.
What concerns me more than the hefty price tag these treatments have, (ripping off vulnerable women is always a concern) is that I would hate for any woman to experience ill effects from it. Proponents of the laser hair loss treatments will inevitably say that the shedding caused by the laser treatment would be an indication that the treatment is working. They might go on to explain that this means the laser is exerting it’s effect on the hair follicles which in time will prove to be positive. Maybe. Maybe not. After all there are tons of medications that cause hair loss and shedding that certainly are not having a positive effect on your hair.
We all must form our own opinions based on the very limited information out there about the laser hair loss treatments. If it helps women I would definitely like to know and be able to share that with the other women visiting this site. But for now my thoughts remain unchanged.
Technorati Tags: hair loss, hairmax lasercomb, Laser hair brush, laser hair loss therapy, Sunetics, womens hair loss
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Jazmine 09.18.07 at 2:13 pm
My dad bought the $600 lasercomb and he didn’t see any results from it. That is the only personal experience I have with the product.
julie 09.20.07 at 9:00 am
Hi all!
I actually own the Sunetics Laser Comb and can tell you a little bit about it…
I did a search on the US PATENT and FDA website and found that HairMax Laser hair brush is the ONLY laser comb FDA approved to regrow hair. There’s much to understand of this technology as it claims to stimulate the follicles and the living cells around the root, thus breeding new grounds for a healthy strand to emerge. The comb alleges it may increase blood circulation thereby minimizing the DHT (di-hydro-testosterone) and the miniaturizing of hair follicles. It’s a safe, non-invasive solution that would not hurt or exacerbate your hair loss. I’ve been using it and noticed a few (baby hairs) sprouts, but I also haven’t been keeping up with it regularly.
It also stimulates mollecular activity, or the “energy currency of life,” chemically known as Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP) ATP is an energy carrying molecure found in all living cells. Imagine, you eat something and it begins the breakdown process, ATP captures the chemical energy from the food and releases it to fuel other cellular processes. All your cells have many tasks which is why a healthy diet is so important to hair loss patients. Most doctorate programs only require 2 nutrition classes to complete their studies, which is why most doctors do not ask you pointed questions about your health. Some may simply prescribe something and not thoroughly review your diet and lifestyle. Every cell that made you requires chemical energy for three types of tasks: to drive, transport and absorb.
You can read more about ATP, DHT and Laser Hair combs through viable sources such as the patent and FDA websites. Try to breakdown these key words when understanding your hair loss. Learn the phases you are going through and try to pay close attention to your diet. You must have a balanced diet to achieve a healthy life. I would consider scheduling an appointment with a nutritionalist as well as your dermatologist when talking about hair loss. Most of our illnesses comes from an unbalanced diet. Food is our fuel, energy source and the chemical energy we absorb from it fights just about every little bug to all the big bugs. If you have to make those changes, its the safest and healthiest choice for you that will only deliver positive results.
admin 09.20.07 at 10:22 am
My confusion is that the Hairmax lasercomb isn’t “approved” it is actually FDA “cleared.” It has 510 (k) clearance. From what I’ve been reading on the internet it seems that type of “clearance” is easier to get. Does the FDA actually say it “regrows hair” ? I think 510(k) clearance means that they only proved that the product was “substantially equivalent” to an existing product already on the market, and was not harmful to people. The whole thing is very confusing. I actually emailed the FDA after I wrote this post about the lasercomb and asked them directly these questions, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. I might have to try calling them. I also have heard from doctors who actually offer the lasercomb and laser hood in their office that it is a very real possibility that men and women may experience increased shedding before seeing improvement. That scares the daylights out of me.
Here is the Hairmax Lasercomb FDA Information on the FDA.GOV Site
From the FDA Site:
Except for certain low risk devices, each manufacturer who wishes to introduce a new medical device to the market must submit a premarket notification to FDA. FDA reviews these notifications to determine if the new device is “substantially equivalent” to a device that was marketed prior to passage of the Amendments (i.e., a “pre-amendments device”). If the new device is deemed substantially equivalent to a pre-amendments device, it may be marketed immediately and is regulated in the same regulatory class as the pre-amendments device to which it is equivalent. (The premarket notification requirement for new devices and devices that are significant modifications of already marketed devices is set forth in section 510(k) of the Act. Devices determined by FDA to be “substantially equivalent” are often referred to as “510(k) devices”. If the new device is deemed not to be substantially equivalent to a pre-amendments device, it must undergo clinical testing and premarket approval before it can be marketed unless it is reclassified into a lower regulatory class.
Still confused.
Jazmine 09.20.07 at 11:10 am
There is a hair loss laser therapy debate here:
http://blog.americanhairloss.org/hair-loss/laser-hair-loss-therapy-does-it-work/
julie 09.20.07 at 12:31 pm
You know, I got responses back from the FDA rather quickly, as I’m sure you will as well. I spoke to a journalist for the NATIONAL HAIR JOURNAL and she also confirmed that the only laser hair comb on the market that is FDA “approved” is HairMax. Their claims to “regrow” hair may be extreme, just like shampoo ads that promise thicker, fuller, hair! I think what it does do well is “stimulate” the cells into the ATP phase and the result “may” or “may not” include hair regrowth. They must be very choosy of their wording as they may not have such a grant from FDA, approved. More importantly, when those two slogans combine in advertisement, its merely a subliminal message not a proven fact. There will always be a temporary solution to a permanent problem. I experienced a little bit of shedding at first as well, but also noticed it was disposing the “bad, miniaturized root” strands, making way for new strands to come in. Of course, there will always be those pesky legal terms and conditions to everything. What they don’t know is that we’ve become skilled in reading the fine print.
admin 09.20.07 at 12:44 pm
I’m glad to hear you are seeing some positive response, I do think it is really important that you believe in the product you are trying once you have committed to using it for treatment. I can’t even try it because of the possibility of shedding, I don’t have enough hair to go through any more of a shed than I already am. I’ve already experienced shedding from the use of rogaine, propecia ( got no results from either) and also from when I started Aldactone. I started aldactone about 8 years and had the shed and then it subsided. So I’m aware that is just the way it goes with starting any treatment, but I can’t do it. I wrote on “elle’s” thread that I’m tired. I’m tired of treating my hair. I’m struck on medications that no longer work and I’m afraid to get off because the reality is a could triple or quadruple the amount of shedding I have today. I want to work on my mind, treat my soul. My hair is gonna be what it is gonna be, I’ve honestly tried and fought tooth and nail trying the approved products, so I’m taking a pass on the Hairmax lasercomb, but I would like to hear how it works for you and from anyone else as well.
-Y.
jeni - savvy skin 09.20.07 at 8:28 pm
The reason I was thinking of trying laser treatments is that I read it can possibly stop as much hair from shedding, and that is my main problem - too much hair in the resting phase - at least according to the Dermatologists and Trichologists I’ve been to. Honestly I would be surprised if the treatments could grow hair, but I want to research more whether people have seen good results with less hair falling out. An Esthetician I know has seen good results on clients that have done the laser therapy, which is why that information was enough for me to want to work at a place that does it, to see results first hand. I am also afraid of the dread shed, but may be willing to try it. I also don’t want to waste my money because I doubt the lasercomb does much, but even if it did something it would be worth it.
admin 09.21.07 at 7:08 am
Hi Jeni Welcome to the site! I understand you wanting to try the lasercomb for your hair loss treatment and I think it is a great idea. I haven’t really heard anything negative about it side effect wise, other than the increased shedding that can happen at the beginning, but that might happen with any treatment. In my opinion the verdict really is still out on lasercomb and how well it actually help reverse hair loss and the miniaturization process. You actually know of a person who has had good results from it so that is really telling, that’s a point on the side of lasercomb, but I’m also skeptical of people who say it works and do so because they themselves are selling the service or product. Having said that, Julie is using the Sunetics laserbrush and has seem some favorable results from it. Will the esthetician actually let you talk to the clients that have benefited from the treatment?
And you are very right, if it does something, anything… it would be worth the price tag and the time commitment.
julie 09.21.07 at 8:48 am
but I’m also skeptical of people who say it works and do so because they themselves are selling the service or product—
I’ve had the same skepticism with just about everyone that sells anything that has to do with hair. I never kept receipts, but I nearly spent half my paychecks for years on solutions that over-promised and under-delivered. I have since stopped using the laser brush because I think the last time I used it, I had to take out a lot of hair from it and that scared me. I look at the root and there’s nothing at the tip! Some hairs are thicker than others on my scalp…it’s weird.
There are so many people out there that just want to sell you something you don’t need…they prey on your vulnerability and in turn we empty our pockets to empty promises…I have fought tooth and nail, FOR HAIR! I understand the skepticism, I feel as if no one person in that industry is sincere. One day, I’ll make enough money to open my own shop where women can stop in…I think once they know I wear a wig, they’d have someone to relate to…
julie 09.21.07 at 11:19 am
As with anything you purchase, always research it…we never know what our bodies will do after we use something, whether its our skin, foods, or treatments and medication. That is why I always promote seeing an allergist in addition to the regular doctors you see for your problems. You wouldn’t just see a specialist because there are so many factors that lead up to illness, its never just one thing. Always take precaution…don’t trust anyone but your gut. A lot of people out there will try to make money off your vulnerability, not knowing that as women we come to these people after seeing dozens of others in many fields from different experiences…just be careful. Be strong and confident about the decisions you make, look out for what’s most important, your health and well-being.
Kat 10.20.07 at 1:31 pm
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to comment on the Hairmax Laser Comb. I purchased the laser comb prior to the so-called “FDA approval.” After trying it for 60 days, I didn’t really notice any results so I decided to return it.
Honestly, I almost gave up on the whole laser treatment idea–that is until I saw a fox news story about laser hair therapy here in Los Angeles. I contacted the company and they referred me to a clinic close by that purchased the same machine featured from them. In short, I consulted with the clinic and signed up for the laser treatment and have been going to the clinic for my 20 minute, 2-3 times a week treatment for close to 5 months now . I have noticed a change in my hair’s health. It is not as dry and brittle as before, much more manageable. I also noticed the shedding has slightly decreased. The clinic claims that one would normally see results within 6-12 months or earlier depending on the individual. I’m not really sure if it’s working since I have yet to see any results with regard to hair growth. But I’m very hopeful.
Rosalinda 10.26.07 at 2:09 pm
I just bought the laser comb. I took some pictures of my scalp and I plan to take some more 2 months from now. I’ll let you all know how it goes. The comb was costly, but if it even stops massive amounts of hair from falling out, I will be a very happy customer. My hair has been falling out since I was 17 years old and at age 22, I feel like I have no hair left. Thanks for the support of this website. It is so wonderful to read all the encouraging letters and advice.
admin 10.28.07 at 9:31 am
Hi Rosalinda - There are some women who do feel that the Laser Comb has helped them and others that found no benefit, but you don’t know unless you try. I would have tried it myself had it been early on enough in my hair loss where I felt I could withstand any potential initial shedding that it may or may not cause.
Thank YOU for being a part of the site and a sharing a little of your own hair loss story. I know how much it helps for other women to read the different stories and comments of other women, because I’ve received a lot of emails about it. You sharing is helping another women. So thank you.
Please keep us updated with your lasercomb treatment. Taking pictures was a great idea and will help you document your treatment progress.
~Y
jeni 11.13.07 at 2:28 am
Paula Begoun just put out a newsletter with info about the Lasercomb: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/bulletin/110807-full.htm . The report was inconclusive, so it’s not exactly enlightening. It sounds like the laser isn’t really that powerful, so if lasers do work, having them done at a medical spa or clinic that does laser hair restoration could be more promising (but then you’d have to pay for ongoing treatments).
I have read better reports about other laser combs that are supposedly stronger than the lasercomb.
I forget if I mentioned the reason I am so curious about lasers is because of the laser hair removal treatments I’ve had (which is ironic I know)! Even though that type of laser is really strong, and is intended to disable the hair follicle, I swear it’s caused hairs next to the treated areas to grow! This is somewhat common, from what I have read. In rare instances, people that get laser hair removal actually have the opposite effect, where it causes an excess of hair to grow in the treated areas.
Tiffany 02.10.08 at 2:44 am
I am thinking of going and getting laser treatment in a couple of weeks. Where you go to a salon and sit underneath a laser that is like a dryer at the salon. Does anyone have any information on this? Has anyone else had this done? I believe they said I would go 15-20 min 3 times a week for a while. Any info would be greatly apprecaited. Thanks much!
Shanlaree 02.10.08 at 4:25 am
Hi Tiffany,
I have done something from hairclub which I felt was a scam - long story. This sounds much better. If it works please let us know. What salon, what location or state is this in. Would be fun to know for others to try ot look into it.
Thanks
ShanLaree
Tiffany 02.11.08 at 12:09 am
Hi ShanLaree
It is in Madison, WI If anyone else has had success or has found it hasn’t worked please let me know. Thanks much!
I will let you know for sure!
Shanlaree 02.11.08 at 6:15 pm
Hi Tiffany,
Go with your instinct. I didn’t go with mine because I was pressured to make a choice and did not think about it. I think different people and different locations can prove to have varied results.
Best wishes.
Shanlaree
Cindy 04.21.08 at 4:34 pm
Hi girls,
I just thought I’d share my story re: trying to regrow my hair. Since I was about 20 years old (I’m almost 50 years old now), my hair has gradually thinned & thinned to the point where my scalp is easily visible. I tried Rogaine for years, which just made my scalp itchy but MAY have grown slightly thicker individual hairs. I then combined the use of Rogaine with Propecia for years. I noticed a definite improvement for a couple of years, but later, it stopped working. For fear of losing even more hair if I went off the regimen of Rogaine/Propecia, I stayed on it for about 6 years. Then, at age 45, I found out I had breast cancer. Everything changed quickly. I stopped using all hair-loss products and, much to my surprise, my hair loss did not get worse (it didn’t get better either, but at least it didn’t get worse). It’s been 3 years since my breast cancer was found & I have decided to try using the Lasercomb as it doesn’t involve the use of chemicals/drugs. So far, I have not seen a difference, but it’s only been 2 months. Admittedly, I am somewhat skeptical as I also believe that if it truly worked, you’d be hearing about it EVERYWHERE. However, will let you know. This is such an important topic for many, many women.
Tiffany 05.12.08 at 1:29 pm
Hi Cindy
Just wondering how the lasercomb has been for you? I am still wondering if I should do it.
Thanks for any info you have!
Tiffany
Don 05.18.08 at 8:09 pm
I have been using the Hairmax lasercomb for months and I can tell you absolutely no shedding. I use rogaine foam/just had a hair transplant 4 months ago-growth coming in. Anyway I also take a gnc ultra nourish hair vitamin 2x a day-shampoo with nioxin and use scalp therapy or biolage for conditioning. i also eat healthy-so hey that is my thing
Eva 05.23.08 at 8:37 am
Hi there,
I bought the hairmax 2 months ago and been using it since. Is difficult to tell how many hairs you are losing somedays you can see more some days less.
The reality is when I was 24 my hair was like Slash seriously too much hair. I still have hair but I would say that today my hair is Natalie Portman, I am 32 know.
Well I think I look more elegant, but I dont want to be BALD, like my grandmother.
Well I stopped smoking and eat healthy and last september I started what I call my science project.
Every time I wash my hair I count the hair that fall on the washbasin, only those. I wash my hair 3 times a week.
The experiment has to have the same conditions always.
here are the numbers
First 5 weeks 300 hairs ( no treatment at all)
following 8 weeks 277 hairs(chinese herbs)
last 5 weeks 252 hairs( hairmaxx lasecomb )
I have noticed that my hair is less greasy and more shiny. My scalp also stopped itching.
Overall I am happy I do not see major changes but at least the combing process is relaxing.
Hair Positive 07.17.08 at 10:34 am
I’ve seen many variations of the laser comb on ebay. Has anyone purchased one? They have more lasers than the laser comb. Actually, they are hands-free devices.
Vivian 10.24.08 at 1:05 am
I’ve been using the 9 beam Hairmax laser comb for 1 month and I can’t say it’s has done anyting yet but I’ll write monthly posts.
Jenny 01.10.09 at 11:35 pm
Hello! I am 27 and have been losing my hair gradually since I was 16. Hair loss runs in my family, so I figured it was hereditary. I have had blood tests done, and I am slightly low in iron, but all else is normal. I also have been on birth control pills for about 9 yrs. I just got off the pill 2 months ago after reading about the links to hair loss. My hair loss has dramatically increased for the last 2 yrs
I was so desperate for a cure that I spent $3,500 on the Luce Laser treatment. I had no idea it would make my hair loss worse! My hair has never shed so much at once and I really didnt have any to spare! I was supposed to go 37 times throughout the yr, but I went for 3 months and had to stop due to the excessive hair loss! HUGE and expensive mistake, I wish I never tried the laser therapy. I don’t know what to do from here. I was working as a model, but its getting really hard to hide my scalp from showing- this is so devastating 
I have tried hair supplements, but I haven’t found anything that has helped. Thanks for everyones input on here I am hoping to find an answer!
Karen 01.31.09 at 1:56 pm
I have been using the laser comb since November and taking Provillus since September 2008 and I have hundreds of new hairs growing out of my head. It really does work. Initially I was prescribed Aldactone/Diane 32 by a specialist at the age of 26. Although at the beginning of taking this medication I experienced some minor growth and it slowed down my thinning hairloss, the Aldactone increased or led to extreme anxiety and the Diane 32 led to weight gain. After nearly 2 years I stopped taking these medications because the anxiety it caused was so devastating that I made a decision to stop taking the Aldactone because although my hairloss has made me feel so depressed and greatly affected my confidence I decided that I couldn’t live with the anxiety that the Aldactone was causing or exacerbating even though it was my only hope. As the Diane 32 was prescribed to be used in conjunction with the Aldactone I also stopped taking it and honestly I was fed up with taking medications and trying other medications in conjunction with these and not having any real results.
After I stopped taking these medications I again continued my search online trying to find something that actually works even though it seemed to be a losing battle and that’s when I found a survey that had been done in America listing the top 5 hairloss treatments. The first one was Provillus, FDA approved and all natural ingredients so I sent away for it and started taking it. In one month I noticed little hairs coming through on the lower parts of my scalp where I have not really experienced hairloss but over time I started to see the little fighters coming through on the higher part of my scalp and finally in the worst thinning areas of my scalp on top and at the back on the crown.
I also discovered another treatment online called Follicular Unit Extraction so I went to a clinic that specialises in this treatment where they take your own hair and transplant it into your scalp so it naturally grows out of your own scalp. The doctor first asked me to try the lasercomb which I had seen advertised on TV and medication that was similar to the Provillus medication I had been taking. At first I felt really let down because I thought it was a new procedure that would correct my thinning hair once and for all and instead he wanted me to try some more medication and some new gadget that I thought wouldn’t work and felt frustrated in even having to try it but I of course did try it because he said before you can become a candidate for the FUE treatment you need to get your hair as healthy as possible and we need to know that you have tried everything else before you go to this extreme which I understood and after an hour or two I started to feel like he really did care and wasn’t just trying to fob me off with some crap so I started using it with the medication.
I was really reluctant to stop taking Provillus so now alternate between both medications but first I took the new medication for a month and the results I have been receiving are really amazing! I would recommend taking Provillus and using the lasercomb. The other medication that is also really similar to the Provillus medication is called Scripts, which is a company formed by a group of doctors in America specialising in hairloss. There are other parts to the treatment including shampoo, conditioner, minoxidil (which I do not use because of what I’ve read about it/I’m also anti-rogaine type medications and would never use it because of what I’ve read in online blogs) and a scalp therapy which washes the oil away from your scalp that also increases hairloss because it has the hormone in it or something. I tried all the products but for the last two months I have only been taking the tablets and using the comb which really has given me amazing results and I recommend that everyone should try it because it has helped me so much and the greatest thing of all is that there aren’t any negative side effects.
This is the first blog I have written and I really hope it encourages even one person to try the lasercomb and the natural medication because I promise you it works and I’m noticing that the longer I’ve spent taking it (now it is almost the end of January 2009) that my own hair is getting thicker, healthier and the thinner areas are filling in more and more.
I am now 28 years old and I am so happy with the results that I can now honestly say that now when I look into the future I’m not scared and frightened of what it’s going to be like and I can focus my energies on the other more important things in my life!
I am also female…thank-you for reading!
Stacie 02.01.09 at 4:05 pm
Karen -
I am the same age as you and have been losing my hair for over half a year now and am really beginning to notice it. I’m running out of possible explanations. I just read your post and it really does give me hope. It’s nice hearing success stories. I’m curious if the lasercomb you’re using is the Hairmax one.
N 02.01.09 at 7:55 pm
Karen,
Do you use the Provillus potion (which I think has minoxidil in it), or just take the supplements that they advertise? I, too, have seen that, but am leery of beginning any type of minoxidil treatment until after I have kids (so I don’t have to start and stop).
Thanks!
jvra 02.23.09 at 10:37 pm
Hi Karen I was wondering where you bought the laser comb?? Just like Stacie I am around your age and started losing my hair 1 yr and a half ago. I really need to start using something to regain confidence
Thanks
Jvra
Marina Hope 05.30.09 at 12:50 pm
Hi ,
I purchesed the Hairmax Lazer comb 3weeks ago.I am 36 and have had thinning hair since i was 19years old. i have tried everything and have had all tests done and just told maybe stress.
Hairloss has ruined my confidence all these years with dating and sociolising
I am really hoping the Lazer comb works .
I will keep you all updated.
This is a great forum i have enjoyed reading women with a same problem.
Marina