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Laser Comb May Stimulate Hair Growth
Study: Device May Help People Maintain, Grow Back Hair
UPDATED: 3:57 p.m. EDT May 8, 2003
NEW YORK -- Could a comb help your hair follicles see the light? A new study says it might be possible.
When you turn on the Hairmax laser comb, it emits a low-intensity laser beam between its bristles.
Researchers say that when the comb is moved over the scalp, laser energy penetrates the skin and stimulates hair follicles and causes cells to release chemicals that help hair grow.
But does this comb work? Is this product the answer balding men and women have been searching for The Holy Grail of Hair Loss?
Researchers have been studying it for years to find out. Officials in Canada are convinced the laser hair comb works. Studies in that country have shown the device can prevent hair loss, as well as promote new hair growth in men and women.
"In our clinical trials in Canada, (the comb) does both," said Dr. Martin Unger, plastic surgeon. "We are getting over 97 percent -- sorry, 95 percent -- of the people who are using this are either stopping their hair loss or regrowing hair, and over 75 percent of the patients regrew hair to a significant amount."
In fact, Canada has upgraded the status of the haircomb from a "cosmetic" device to a "medical" device. Here in the United States, the laser comb is still considered a cosmetic device, which means the manufacturer can't legally claim the device promotes hair growth.
Unger represents the manufacturer, and he said results of studies in the United States are similar to those in Canada. He hopes the data will convince the Food and Drug Administration to approve the laser hair comb as a medical device.
"Since the laser comb is considered a cosmetic device, we cannot say that it prevents hair loss or that it regrows hair," Unger said. "We cannot say biological changes to the hair or the tissue itself. As a medical device, then we can make these claims."
U.S. trials have been going on now for a couple of years. The results were submitted to the FDA last month, and should be made public this year. Researchers are still unaware if the comb would have any known side effects related to radiation.
Unger claims the laser rejuvenates hair follicles that have been inactive for a while, but if they have been active too long, nothing in the world can help.
The Hairmax laser comb costs about $700.
When you turn on the Hairmax laser comb, it emits a low-intensity laser beam between its bristles.
Researchers say that when the comb is moved over the scalp, laser energy penetrates the skin and stimulates hair follicles and causes cells to release chemicals that help hair grow.
But does this comb work? Is this product the answer balding men and women have been searching for The Holy Grail of Hair Loss?
Researchers have been studying it for years to find out. Officials in Canada are convinced the laser hair comb works. Studies in that country have shown the device can prevent hair loss, as well as promote new hair growth in men and women.
"In our clinical trials in Canada, (the comb) does both," said Dr. Martin Unger, plastic surgeon. "We are getting over 97 percent -- sorry, 95 percent -- of the people who are using this are either stopping their hair loss or regrowing hair, and over 75 percent of the patients regrew hair to a significant amount."
In fact, Canada has upgraded the status of the haircomb from a "cosmetic" device to a "medical" device. Here in the United States, the laser comb is still considered a cosmetic device, which means the manufacturer can't legally claim the device promotes hair growth.
Unger represents the manufacturer, and he said results of studies in the United States are similar to those in Canada. He hopes the data will convince the Food and Drug Administration to approve the laser hair comb as a medical device.
"Since the laser comb is considered a cosmetic device, we cannot say that it prevents hair loss or that it regrows hair," Unger said. "We cannot say biological changes to the hair or the tissue itself. As a medical device, then we can make these claims."
U.S. trials have been going on now for a couple of years. The results were submitted to the FDA last month, and should be made public this year. Researchers are still unaware if the comb would have any known side effects related to radiation.
Unger claims the laser rejuvenates hair follicles that have been inactive for a while, but if they have been active too long, nothing in the world can help.
The Hairmax laser comb costs about $700.Copyright 2003 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
