Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

This question, from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums, was answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles:

Can you guys please give me feedback over the HairMax LaserComb? Is it FDA approved? Does it work? Is it worth spending that much money on it?

The FDA clearance only says it causes no harm. It does not mean that it is effective for treating hair loss. I have had hair restoration patients who clearly had positive results and others who really had no visible hair growth.

I tell all patients considering laser treatment this information and let them decide if they want to take that chance.

Dr. Glenn Charles

For more information on Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)Hair Loss Treatments see the following articles:

HairMax LaserComb Makers Warned by the FDA About Illegal Sales of Non-FDA Cleared Devices

Is Low Level Laser Light Effective for Treating Hair Loss?

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for 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 the hair loss forumand social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Technorati Tags: HairMax, LaserComb, hair loss, hair restoration, hair growth, Low Level Laser Therapy, LLLT, Hair Loss Treatments

Over the past year, regenerative medicine company Histogen, Inc. has continued to test its highly anticipated hair loss treatment known as HSC (Hair Stimulating Complex). The latest phase in HSC’s ongoing trials began in Pasig City, Manila, Philippines on December 22, 2011 and will conclude in December 2012.

Androgenic alopecia (genetic baldness) affects an estimated 40 million men and 21 million women in the United States alone with many millions more worldwide. Approximately 7% of these hair loss sufferers, from the early stages of thinning hair to completely bald, currently seek medical and/or surgical hair restoration treatments to slow the progression of further balding and regrow hair. Though a relatively small number, this amounts to a highly competitive, multi-billion dollar industry.

Today’s most effective hair loss treatments are the clinically proven and FDA approved drugs Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) as well as state of the art follicular unit hair transplantation (FUT). However, a number of balding men and women also seek alternatives like low level laser therapy (LLLT) and herbal treatments among others. Each of these treatments has its own benefits and limitations but Histogen, Inc. hopes to add its new and potentially revolutionary injectable treatment to the list.

How HSC Works

According to the literature, “HSC consists of proteins secreted by human dermal cells under proprietary culture conditions that include reduced oxygen and bioreactors. Under these conditions, the cells secrete soluble proteins that include both growth factors and soluble precursors to the deposited extracellular matrix. Several of these proteins are known to be important in the control of the hair cycle and will stimulate resting hair follicles to resume hair formation”.

Treating hair loss is a multibillion dollar industry. Unfortunately for the millions of balding men and women across the globe, sorting out effective non-surgical hair loss treatments from the multitude of hair growth scams out there can be tough.

Those suffering from androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness) have a veritable cornucopia of herbal and drug-based topicals, tablets, shampoos and even mechanical devices to choose from. Many of these products make lofty claims to turn back the clock and restore bald heads to luscious, flowing locks. But buyer beware! Currently there is no hair loss cure. However, there are a few select products that are clinically proven and FDA approved or simply offer compelling evidence to support their claims to regrow hair.

To learn more about which treatments are really effective for thinning hair read the article:

Which Hair Loss Treatments Really Work?

To purchase credible treatments for balding at extremely low prices, visit our online hair loss treatments store.

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for 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 the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, balding, hair loss treatments, hair growth, androgenic alopecia, baldness, bald, hair loss cure, regrow hair

Despite continued interest and intrigue from the hair loss community, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) remains a controversial and divisive topic. Some hair restoration physician experts believe it is a legitimate treatment and has its place in modern hair restoration. However, other hair loss experts think the evidence behind LLLT is lacking, and claim those providing and promoting laser therapy are supporting “junk science.”

However, while debating and doubting new medical hair loss treatments can be a healthy practice, the reality is that laser therapy is currently offered in a variety of settings and balding men and women must know whether it is an effective, worthwhile treatment.

Knowing this, several important questions remain: has Low Level Laser Therapy proven itself as an effective hair restoration product? What types of individuals should investigate laser therapy? Specifically, what are the leading hair loss doctors saying? Finally, should balding patients try laser treatment?

To answer these questions and further investigate the history of LLLT, review the newest article:

Low Level Laser Therapy: “Sham” or Effective Hair Loss Treatment? 

___________________

Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair loss, Low Level Laser Therapy, laser therapy, hair loss treatments, balding, hair restoration, hair loss doctors

To date, Propecia is still the only FDA approved antiandrogen (DHT blocker) and proven hair loss treatment taken orally.  Since Propecia stops hair loss at its core, failure to include this drug in one’s treatment regimen increases the liklihood that hair loss will continue.  However, given the recent news in the media surrounding Propecia, lawsuits and the alleged possibility of “permanent” sexual side effects, men suffering from androgenic alopecia (genetic hair loss) are more reluctant to add Propecia to their hair loss treatment regimen.

However, while the possibility of experiencing sexual and other side effects from this drug is a very real possibility, many leading hair restoration physician experts feel that these concerns have been blown out of proportion.  Furthermore, most world renowned hair surgeons still prescribe and recommend Propecia to their patients on a regular basis as a complement to their hair transplant procedure.

We recently polled several expert hair loss doctors to garner their professinal opinion on the recent news and alleged risks of Propecia’s “permanent” side effects and class action lawsuits against Merck.

To read what the experts are saying, visit the HubPages article “Propecia for Treating Hair Loss: Is it Worth the Risk?  What the Experts are Saying“.

Best wishes,

Bill Seemiller
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 the hair loss forum and social community

Get Proven Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new online hair loss treatment shop.

In Touch magazine reports that actor Tom Cruise recently began utilizing a low level laser therapy (LLLT) cap to prevent losing his “movie star” hair. Allegedly, a friend of the actor claims Cruise is concerned about potential hair loss and started using the Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator cap as a way to halt any progressive thinning.

Although a representative for Mr. Cruise claims the story is “ludicrous,” the situation does bring an important question to light: is the Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator cap a valid hair loss prevention device?

Like many other “at home” low level laser therapy devices, the Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator is a cap that, when placed upon the head of any hair loss suffering man or woman, allegedly penetrates the scalp and stimulates follicular growth. According to the manufacturer:

The Hands Free Hair Rejuvenator employs low level laser therapy (LLLT) that provides pain-free light stimulation for cells in hair follicles, encouraging them to repair themselves. In concert with 30 high-output LEDs that provide a broad array of pulsed light energy, the rejuvenator’s 21 built-in lasers produce a 655nm wavelength–the optimal wavelength used in LLLT for increased cellular activity within hair follicles.

Furthermore, the manufacturers claim that using the device 25-50 minutes a day for 2 consecutive months effectively stimulates follicular growth and reverses significant hair loss.

So, are these claims true? Will this device effectively encourage new hair growth and reverse baldness?

This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums: 

I recently underwent hair transplant surgery and the physician recommended I complete several laser treatment (Low Level Laser Therapy or LLLT) sessions after the procedure. Is this necessary? Will it help with post-operative growth and healing?

Laser treatment (sometimes known as Low Lever Laser Therapy or LLLT) is a pretty controversial topic in the hair restoration community. Some believe it is a valid therapy for stimulating follicular growth and aiding in post-operative healing, while others think it is simply ineffective and not recommended.

Frankly, I’ve seen some pretty convincing evidence that LLLT is not an effective hair restoration treatment. Furthermore, I have not been presented with conclusive or persuasive counter-evidence refuting these findings.

Regardless of whether or not you believe LLLT is effective, one thing is certain: our network hosts thousands of hair transplant cases from patients who have undergone surgery without adjunct laser therapy and still manage to achieve excellent results. For me, this is the most convincing proof that surgical hair restoration can stand alone as a restorative therapy without LLLT. Personally, I’d feel comfortable moving forward with this information.

____________________

Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Dr. Shelly Friedman of Scottsdale, Arizona discusses the treatments and services he and his hair restoration clinic offer to hair loss suffering men and women including Propecia (finasteride), low light laser therapy (LLLT), and Rogaine (minoxidil). He also discusses surgical hair restoration including today’s state of the art hair transplants.

Dr. Friedman is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network. His surgical technique, and patient results were carefully reviewed by our patient based online hair loss community. To view the highlights of this review, click here.

To see all of our hair transplant videos, visit our Hair Transplant Video Channel on YouTube.

—-

David (TakingThePlunge) Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Technorati Tags: Dr. Shelly Friedman, hair restoration, hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, low light laser therapy, LLLT, Rogaine, minoxidil, hair transplants, Hair Transplant, hair transplant videos, YouTube

Recently, recommended hair restoration physician Dr. Ricardo Mejia sat down for an interview with Skin and Allergy News and discussed future hair loss treatments. During the interview, Dr. Mejia commented on exciting future therapies like hair cloning, stem cell hair loss treatments, and automated follicular unit extraction (FUE) technology.

Additionally, Dr Mejia provided his opinion on more controversial topics like low level laser treatments and the NeoGraft follicular unit extraction device.

When asked about the future of medical hair restoration Dr. Mejia said the following:

Robotic hair transfer, multiple technologies to optimize new growth, and even hair cloning could help overcome current limitations in hair transplantation … promising technologies could someday supplant donor strip and follicular unit extraction techniques, and we’re even [moving toward] more robotic involvement

Furthermore, Dr. Mejia had the following to say about eagerly awaited cell-based hair loss treatments:

Dermal papilla cells or fibroblasts are the starting point, because they stimulate formation of new hairs. Multiple companies are working on proprietary processes to spur these fibroblasts to produce enough follicles in culture to replace an entire scalp … research includes fibroblasts grown in subatmospheric oxygen tension, addition of wound-healing factors, and injections of a “hair-stimulating complex” to promote greater hair growth.

It’s always exciting to hear a hair loss expert‘s opinion on new “hair restoration breakthrough” therapies and how they may be integrated in the future. Click here to read the entire article.

_______________
Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Laser therapy for hair loss remains a hot topic amongst hair restoration professionals and patients alike. While some see it as an effective method of treating androgenic alopecia and other forms of hair loss, others condemn it as quackery. This discrepancy may be due in part to the ambiguous marketing of products like the HairMax LaserComb.

While the HairMax laser comb device was found by the FDA to be safe based on its “substantial equivalence” to previously approved laser light therapy devices and thus “cleared” (not “approved”), it was unclear to what extent the FDA reviewed or cleared it based on its effectiveness in treating balding. However, it appears that this device and similar devices are often touted as being “FDA approved” to treat thinning hair.

With very little verifiable data and mostly anecdotal information to support or refute its efficacy, this debate is likely to continue for awhile.

To read more about the experiences of our members and add your own thoughts and comments, join the discussion thread, Laser Hair Restoration, Fact or Fiction? started by Hair Restoration Forum member “jzachary”.

—-

David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Technorati Tags: Laser therapy, hair loss, hair restoration, androgenic alopecia, HairMax LaserComb, laser light therapy, balding, thinning hair