Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Laser therapy as a hair loss treatment has been heavily debated, especially since the recent FDA clearance of the HairMax LaserComb by consumers and hair restoration physicians.  To participate in this discussion, visit our hair loss forum.  Read more about laser hair loss treatment.

On May 22, 2008, FDA inspectors issued a warning letter to David Michaels, the Managing Director of Lexington International, LLC regarding the sale of HairMax LaserComb® Premium and SE models that differ from the cleared HairMax LaserComb. According to the FDA, the treatment parameters, dose rate, and method of delivery in the laser comb models being sold to the public could significantly affect the safety and/or effectiveness of these laser mechanisms.  Therefore, Lexington International may be subject to 21, CFR 807.81 (a)(3)(i) new 510(k) submissions in order to legally market and sell their premium and SE LaserCombs as “FDA Cleared“.

Ironically, on the HairMax website, Lexington International warns consumers about purchasing fraudulent and potentially less effective laser devices. As listed on their website:

“As a consumer, we suggest that you educate yourself thoroughly before making a purchase or utilizing a laser device.  Make no mistake: Using lasers for any reason is a very serious medical undertaking which, if not administered under proper safety guidelines, can be risky. At best, you may be buying a laser device and spending time using it, only to receive minimal if any results.

Again, at Lexington we care about your safety and your right to be educated as a consumer.

Technorati Tags: Laser therapy, hair loss, HairMax LaserComb, hair restoration, FDA, Lexington International, HairMax LaserComb, HairMax, LaserComb, laser comb, FDA Cleared, laser device

There is nothing like the promise of a hair loss cure that can tap into the emotional insecurities of balding men and women who would do pretty much anything to recover their long lustrous locks. Fancy marketing tactics found on television, the radio, and the internet loudly proclaim “guaranteed results or your money back”. No wonder hair loss sufferers are forking over their hard earned money to try the latest and greatest baldness cure wonder drug. These companies may make good on their promises at refunding your money if a product doesn’t work, but is it worth the price of nonrefundable hair?

Below we uncover the secrets of fancy marketing hype that will allow you to evaluate the validity behind many hair loss treatment solutions.

This Product is FDA Approved: Finasteride (found in Propecia and Proscar) and minoxidil (found in Rogaine) are the only 2 hair loss products that have been FDA “approved” to treat baldness. Any other hair loss treatment claiming FDA approval contains one of these two ingredients, most popular of which is minoxidil. In most cases, it is significantly less expensive and more effective to invest in the FDA approved ingredient than a product that includes it.

Money Back Guarantee: Most questionable treatments come with a money back guarantee. Though this might entice your wallet, using an ineffective product will cost your nonrefundable hair. Therefore, we encourage you to research all hair loss products you are considering.

Technorati Tags: hair loss cure, balding, hair loss, baldness cure, hair loss treatment, Finasteride, Proscar, minoxidil, hair loss products, treat baldness

The viability of laser therapy for hair loss has been heavily debated for some time by reputable hair restoration physicians. While some physicians reject its use entirely, others use it as a daily part of their practice. Some hair transplant surgeons also feel that laser therapy can assist with postoperative healing and expedite transplanted hair growth.

Though laser hair loss treatment is often incorrectly promoted as FDA “approved” and its benefits oversold, the real question is – can low level laser therapy (LLLT) have any benefit for balding men and women trying to restore their hair? If so, how does it work and what should be expected from its use?

Recently, we interviewed several leading hair restoration physicians and asked them to share their experience with laser therapy in treating hair loss at their clinic. A special thanks to Coalition surgeons Dr. Joseph Williams, Dr. Glenn Charles, and Dr. Alan Feller who have offered their expertise, experiences, and opinions on this highly important and controversial topic.

Click here to read exclusive interviews with these leading physicians about the effectiveness of laser therapy. Also learn how laser therapy is said to work and what role the FDA clearance of the Hairmax laser comb has.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: laser therapy, hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant, hair growth, low level laser therapy, LLLT, balding, hair restoration, Hairmax laser comb

Based on the recent FDA “approval” of laser hair treatment, specifically the Lexington Hairmax laser comb, there has been a lot of controversy on our hair loss forum regarding its efficacy as a hair loss treatment.  Should balding men and women put their faith in the power of lasers to restore their hair?  If so, how effective is it as a stand alone treatment?  Does it work better when combined with other medical therapies?  Did the FDA really approve or endorse it?

These are important questions men and women of alopecia should be able to answer when considering low level laser therapy.   Click here to read other and contribute your thoughts to this important discussion on our hair restoration forum.

Bill Seemiller - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog 

Technorati Tags: laser hair treatment, Hairmax, laser comb, hair loss treatment, balding, low level laser therapy, hair restoration

I have very find hair and although I am told by hair stylists that I have a lot of it, it appears very thin on top.  I don’t think hair transplant surgery is the right procedure for me.  Do you know of any hair loss treatment that will give me more hair to cover the wide part of my scalp showing through the hair?  I have tried Rogaine which worked temporarily despite continued use.  I spent a lot of money on a hair piece alopecia wig that is not comfortable and I believe looks obvious.  It is very difficult to hide the wide part with anything and I do not like the short and spiky hair with bands that are the mainstay of hair pieces.  I hope you can help and please be specific if you have any hair loss solutions.

You have mentioned a number of possibilities already however, there are a few more.  Sadly, none of them are miracle cures or perfect solutions, but are worth considering.

Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments

Propecia for men only (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) are FDA approved hair growth drugs and when used together, they may boost your chances of hair regrowth. 

Ketoconazole hair loss shampoo such as Nizoral and Revita may be helpful adjunct treatments given the “weak” DHT blocking properties of ketoconazole. 

Laser hair treatment has been FDA “cleared” however, in my opinion, not enough evidence publicly exists for me to recommend it. 

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, hair loss treatment, Rogaine, hair piece, alopecia wig, hair loss solutions, Hair Loss Treatments, Propecia, finasteride, minoxidil, hair growth, hair regrowth, Ketoconazole, hair loss shampoo, Nizoral, Revita, DHT, Laser hair treatment

I know that there is a lot of skepticism towards laser hair treatment on our hair loss forum and my view – although I’m not endorsing or supporting the use of any low level laser therapy (LLLT) product – is equally unpopular simply because I believe, from a scientific standpoint, there is not enough evidence to validate nor dismiss claims of effectiveness and so I refuse to outright condemn laser therapy as a treatment until further investigation is done.

• Most of the pictures presented to provide “evidence” are circumstantial (submitted by users of the therapeutic products) and are often taken under different conditions – head positions different from ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos, different lighting, different hairstyles or colors, and/or no visible change.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, laser hair treatment, low level laser therapy, LLLT, laser therapy, Hair Loss, hair growth, male pattern baldness, MPB, Hair Loss Treatment

This question was posed directly to Dr. Ken Siporin of Beverly Hills, CA who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians by a hair loss sufferer.  His professional answer is below.

I’m wondering why I’ve been affected by hair loss at such a young age (I’ve been losing hair since I was at least 17) and hope to find a feasible hair loss treatment.  What do you recommend?

I can tell you that the most likely cause of your premature hair loss is hormonal influence.  At your age, it is very important for you to start some treatments that will prevent future hair loss, or at least slow it down. You may even possibly thicken your hair, but that is not a guarantee. There are three main medical treatments for  hair loss: rogaine, propecia, and lasers.  It is a little more than I can adequately explain by email, so I would prefer that you come in for a consultation. 

However, I will tell you, that each method acts by a different mechanism, and they are therefore additive.  In other words, the result you can expect by doing all three of them, is better than any single treatment by itself.  You should also know that where there is absolutely no hair, nothing will regrow hair.  So where the scalp is skin bald, only hair transplantation will be effective, but where there are thinning, miniaturized, or what we call vellous hairs (peach fuzz), the medical treatments may either stop them from falling out, thicken them moderately, or thicken them significantly.

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair loss, losing hair, hair loss treatment, premature hair loss, thicken your hair, regrow hair, hair transplantation, vellous hairs

Is it Safe to Use the Laser Comb After a Hair Transplant?

Some hair restoration physicians support the use of low level laser therapy after hair transplantation to facilitate the healing of the wounds in the balding recipient area.  And some hair transplant surgeons believe that low level laser therapy will help stimulate new hair growth, especially now that it has been FDA approved as a hair loss treatment.  Learn more about low level laser therapy.

It is perfectly safe to use the laser comb after hair restoration surgery as long as the bristles of the brush are not touching the transplanted hair until they are properly secured which takes about ten days.  During the first ten days, lift the laser comb up slightly so that the brush doesn’t connect with the hair grafts to ensure a hair graft isn’t dislodged before it’s properly secured in the scalp.

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: Laser Comb, Hair Transplant, hair restoration, laser therapy, balding, hair transplant surgeon, low level laser therapy, hair growth, FDA approved, hair loss treatment, hair restoration surgery, transplanted hair, hair grafts

I am 23 years old and am suffering from acute hair loss.  My father is also bald.  I am currently using laser therapy and homeopathic medicines but they are not working.  Will Propecia help me?  Do I have to consult with a doctor? 

Thank you for your inquiry.

“Acute” hair loss typically refers to Telogen Effluvium or Anagen Effluvium and is characterized by diffuse thinning of the hair all over the scalp including the sides and back of your head.  Causes can include medications or drugs, dermatitus of the scalp, hormonal therapy, etc.  Your best defense of this type of hair loss is to “treat” the condition that is causing it which should be determined by a medical doctor.

If you are losing hair on top of your head in a pattern similar to the norwood scale, this most likely indicates hereditary hair loss.  Propecia and Rogaine are your best medical defenses against this type of hair loss.  Laser therapy, though FDA approved is a hot debate right now on our Hair Restoration Discussion Forum as to its efficacy. 

I would suggest consulting with a dermatologist or a qualified hair restoration specialist as to the cause of your hair loss.

Only then can a viable solution be recommended.

I hope this helps

Bill - aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog

Technorati Tags: acute hair loss, bald, laser therapy, Propecia, hair loss, Anagen Effluvium, diffuse thinning

Having attended the annual International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) meetings over the past ten years, while publishing the Hair Transplant Network, I now seem to know or be known by almost all of the prominent hair transplant physicians.

Those who have become famous online for doing outstanding work typically greet me warmly, while others who I have chosen not to recommend often stiffen up and scowl when they encounter me.  One hair restoration physician last week even took me aside in the hallway and threatened to sue me for having his recommendation discontinued.

But, like it or not, most physicians have come to realize that our patient based community and our open forum are here to stay and that we will continue to say when the “emperor has no clothing” even if it may be awkward or embarrassing. As the publisher of this community, I will continue to critique various techniques, treatments and those who perform them, while keeping an eye out for top-notch hair transplant physicians and clinics. I know the active members of this community will also continue to do the same.

In this report I’d like to share highlights from the 15th annual ISHRS scientific meeting that was held in Las Vegas from September 26th to the 30th.

I will focus on what may be of most interest to hair loss sufferers and patients such as presentations on the potential dangers of Dutasteride (Avodart), new advances such as hair multiplication (follicular cell implantation), the effectiveness of low light laser therapy (LLLT) in treating hair loss, the pros and cons of FUE (follicular unit extraction) and other topics.

Technorati Tags: Hair Restoration Surgery, hair transplant, hair restoration physician, hair transplant physicians, hair loss, Dutasteride, Avodart, hair multiplication, follicular cell implantation, low light laser therapy, LLLT, FUE, follicular unit extraction