510k FDA clearance allows the company to legally state that the HairMax Laser Comb is now clinically proven to promote hair growth in males with androgenetic alopecia.

However, the $64,000 question that still plagues many well known hair loss experts is, can the HairMax Laser Comb grow visible, appreciable hair or is this FDA “clearance” based solely on slight changes in hair characteristics and microscopic photographic evidence?

Does the HairMax Laser Comb truly help hair loss sufferers, or is Lexington International just helping themselves to an even bigger piece of the $3.5 billion a year hair loss industry pie?

On Sunday October 7th, 2007 The Bald Truth Radio Show invited Lexington International’s CEO and inventor of the HairMax Laser Comb, David Michaels along with Randy Veliky, Lexington’s COO to answer some difficult questions about their product as well as to speak with callers who purchased The HairMax Laser Comb.

Issues discussed on the program include:

• The difference between FDA approval and FDA clearance

• Specifics of clinical study results.

• Why the FDA only granted the HairMax Laser Comb clearance for males?

• Does the HairMax Laser Comb really stop hair loss and regrow hair?

• Is their a difference between the HairMX laser comb and other LLLT hair growth devices?

• The validly of Lexington’s before and after photos.

• Inventor of the Hairmax Laser comb David Michaels’ credentials and much, much more.

Listen To The Show:

The Bald Truth Segment One

The Bald Truth Segment Two

I’ve had a thinning spot on the top of my head for almost 10 years.

I’ve been using Minoxidil and Finasteride since 2004, and the combination seems to be working. I may have a little regrowth, but the important thing is that the spot seems not to be growing.

My question is this: Is there anything else I should be doing? The whole “Laser combs” thing sounds like a fly-by-night industry to me - do they really work?

Thanks in advance.

– Keith in NYC

Answer:

Hi Keith. You have a good question which has a highly debatable answer. The main idea behind the “laser comb” is basically that it increases the circulation in the area where the low level laser light therapy is used. This increase in blood flow to the follicles, according to the laser comb promoters, has a positive effect on the follicles which causes an overall decrease in hair loss.

I have a problem with the supposed mechanism by which the laser comb works to prevent hair loss. While I don’t dispute the comb’s ability to cause a transient increase in blood flow, I do feel that this does not treat the underlying cause of the hair loss. In my opinion, hair loss is not the result of a lack of blood supply to the scalp but rather, it is a result of the negative effects of DHT binding to the follicle receptors. This concept is widely accepted as the root of male pattern baldness and is the reason why finasteride helps prevent hair loss (by lowering the DHT level). Since the laser comb therapy does nothing to change the level of DHT at the receptor site, I do not feel that it has much more than a placebo-type effect on hair loss.

In practice, I have not heard many good things about laser comb therapy. I have had a few patients state their belief that the comb has helped stop their hair loss, but these are usually patients who are also taking finasteride. The problem in this lies in the fact that if a patient is taking two treatments at the same time, it is difficult to gauge the overall effects of each individual treatment. Basically, it is hard to show that the comb had any beneficial effects, as the hair loss prevention may have been attributable only to the finasteride.

I am going to point out one more issue regarding the comb. The laser comb does have FDA approval, though this may be misleading. The technology behind the laser comb has been around for decades. The FDA approval for this device is not based on any amazing new studies. Rather, it has been approved because the technology pre-dates when the FDA began its supervisory role. Therefore, this device did not have to pass through today’s stringent FDA approval process.

Brandon Ross, MD
http://www.rmhri.com
IAHRS Recommended Hair Transplant Surgeon

Hello,

I hope you answer my question. My 12 yrs. old daughter has been diagnosed with Androgenetic Alopecia. Her hair has been thinning in the front and at the temples. We have been using the 2% Rogaine for 3 weeks, as recommended by her dermatologist. The hair in the back of her head seems normal. This is starting to affect her emotionally.

Is it too soon to think about hair transplant? Should we wait until she is 18? Please let me know.

We live in the Bay Area, Any recommended hair transplant MD’s??

Thank you for your time,
Mariam

Answer:

Androgenic alopecia is quite uncommon in a 12 year old male or female. I am curious how the diagnosis was made. There are multiple reasons for hair loss in the front and temple areas besides androgenic alopecia. If it is androgenic alopecia, one would consider a full medical workup to determine why it is occurring at such a young age. Androgenic alopecia has some characteristic findings. These include miniaturization of the hair and lightening of the hair color in the affected areas. In addition, there are also some characteristic histological findings under a microscope. I would have her seen as quickly as possible. In the bay area, I recommend Sheldon Kabaker, who practices in Oakland or Peter Panagotacos, who practices in San Francisco. They can assist you with a diagnostic work up, as well as a treatment plan. (more…)

I am 57 and have had multiple hair transplants with great results. I suffer from male pattern baldness. Two years ago I began taking testosterone and HGH replacement therapy under the direction on an anti-aging physician. My concern is by increasing testosterone/DHT, am I at risk of loosing the grafted hair. What has been your experience with patients using hormone replacement therapy and hair loss. Could propecia mitigate the potential side effects of hormone replacement and hair loss?

Answer:

First of all, if you were going to experience any loss of hair, transplanted or otherwise, you would have noticed by now, having taken testosterone (T) and HGH for two years. The loss would be the greatest in non-transplanted hair.

Theoretically the transplanted hair originated from a zone of follicles free of DHT receptors so they should not be affected by DHT or T. In reality the transplants behave like the donor hair and there have been reports of thinning of transplants if the donor hair thins. Most often this thinning is seen with age (senile alopecia) but can also be associated with medications or systemic illness. Fortunately the incidence of this is low. By taking T, DHT will most likely increase. As a precaution finasteride could be taken to lower the concentration of DHT. Finasteride reduces the amount of DHT by 70%. If you are increasing T and therefore DHT, even with blockage of 70% of the production of DHT there will still be more DHT.

So the answer to your question is yes finasteride could potentially decrease hair loss from DHT produced by an increase in exogenous T. One has to be aware of the side effects of finasteride which are well documented.

Bradley Wolf, MD
http://www.wolfhair.com
IAHRS Recommended Hair Transplant Surgeon

Segment One

Segment Two

Segment Three

Reader’s Digest took the opportunity to acknowledge The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons as the place to find a hair transplant surgeon.

Image Magazine Sept 2007 Issue
(click image for larger version)

Southern California’s premiere lifestyle magazine goes “Unplugged” to empower their readers with the truth about hair loss treatments including surgical hair restoration.

When Image Magazine’s Angela Fernandez was given the assignment to to provide her readers with cutting edge information about the 3.5 billion dollar hair loss industry, she decided to go straight to the source… Spencer Kobren and The American Hair Loss Association.

 Spencer discusses his own struggle with hair loss, as well as giving his advice on today’s cutting edge treatments. Dr. Paul Cotterill was also interviewed for the article providing his insight on low level laser light therapy and follicular unit hair transplantation.

 Both Spencer Kobren and Cotterill offer words of caution when selecting a hair transplant surgeon and discuss the importance of doing your research. The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons is recommended as as the only organization that independently screens surgeons “admitting only those physicians who meet the exacting medical, ethical and professional standards of the IAHRS board.”

Spencer Kobren explains how “hair transplantation is a team effort” and the important role that the hair transplant tech plays in the final outcome of the surgery.

Why do I need to use Propecia and Rogaine? Why can’t I just have a hair transplant?

Answer:

The simplest way to answer these questions is to give you an analogy. A dentist does not prevent tooth decay, toothpaste prevents tooth decay. Just like tooth decay, hair loss is a progressive disease for men and women. You will continue to lose hair (usually about 4% density per year) if you do not use the “toothpaste” that prevents the hair loss – which is Propecia and Rogaine.

You can have a hair transplant, if you are a candidate. I can increase density by approximate 20% with one procedure. But that means after 5 years, you have essentially lost what you had gained. Then you need another transplant, and the cycle continues.

The greatest limitation to hair transplants is the fixed and limited amount of donor hair you have. The majority of patients don’t have enough to keep up with the progression of their hair loss. If I can help you prevent that hair loss with the medical therapies, then I can minimize the amount of restoration you will need and you will be a much happier and more satisfied patient.

Paul J. McAndrews, MD
http://www.hairgrowthdoctor.com
IAHRS Recommended Hair Transplant Surgeon

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 10, 2007 — The Bald Truth, the official radio program of The American Hair Loss Association, moves to its new 8 pm EST time slot Sunday night August 12th. This move comes as the show celebrates its ninth year of national syndication, and the six-month anniversary of its debut on XM Satellite Radio channel 152.

Broadcasting live from the CBS studios in Los Angeles, The Bald Truth, hosted by international best-selling author and founder of The American Hair Loss Association Spencer Kobren, has become the benchmark for successful health talk radio.

Kobren’s weekly on-air support group provides hair loss sufferers with a safe place to learn about effective hair loss products and treatments, and to openly share their thoughts, humor, hope and strength with others struggling with this silent epidemic. (more…)

I am 27 with roughly type II hair loss. I would like to evaluate my ability to get a hair transplant to restore the front hairline. It is difficult to clearly show the difference in growing ability between the front and back hair because I just got a haircut before buying my digital camera. Basically all hair directly above my forehead is
getting sparse and thin and won’t grow beyond a certain length, and when the full head of hair grows long, it doesn’t keep up.

Answer:

It would be ideal to see you in person to get a good look at your hair loss and discuss all your options. There are medications you can take, minoxidil (Rogaine) and Propecia (finasteride) which can prevent further loss and actually add some density to the miniaturized hairs still hanging on. You appear to have a receding hairline and generalized thinning at the hairline and front. A hair transplant would increase the density of the hairline and front and could be used to recreate the hairline at an appropriate level. The transplanted hairs remain there so we have to be careful where they are put so they look appropriate as you age. There are a lot of aspects to discuss, beyond the scope of this post. You can get more information at our website, wolfhair.com. Again the best next step would be to schedule a consultation, for which there is no charge. In summation, you appear to be a candidate for transplants. In addition I would highly recommend the use of medications to prevent further hair loss.

Bradley Wolf, MD
http://www.wolfhair.com
IAHRS Recommended Hair Transplant Surgeon