Is it safe to use a laser comb during pregnancy?
I would guess that a Low Laser Light Therapy (LLLT) device like the LaserComb should not impact pregnancy. Ask your doctor and check with the medical warnings in the package.
Hi Dr,
first of all thank you for doing this blog. I just wanted to ask a couple of questions and would really appreciate any answers. Firstly I know that you usually recommend FDA approved products in your blogs i.e. propecia and minoxidil and dont recommend any product that is not backed by the FDA. I actually emailed 2 companies (procerin and revivogen) who both make hair loss products and claim that they are really effective in treating hair loss and asked them that if their product is so effective why hasn’t it been approved by the FDA like propecia and minoxidil. They both gave me similar answers which consisted of 2 reasons:a) getting FDA approval costs millions of dollars i.e. it is very expensive and that is something we dont have, and
b) our products are natural i.e they are not medicines and therefore they cannot be approved like propecia and minoxidil.Can you please tell me if these answers make any sense?
Secondly I was looking at the revivogen scalp solution as a possible treatment to my hair loss (i’ve tried minoxidil and am allergic to it and am abit worried about the side effects of propecia) and came across a video (on YouTube) which contains an interview of the Dr that developed it, he gives a scientifc explanation of how the product combats the effects of DHT and allows the hair to grow.
I would really really appreciate it if you can watch this video or atleast a part of it and give us your opinion on this Dr’s scientific theory regarding revivogen. Many Thanks
You said it all in the first paragraph above — the makers of those products “both make hair loss products and claim that they are really effective in treating hair loss“. To be sure that this is the case, it MUST be scientifically studied with a good peer reviewed (that means unbiased) process. I agree that there are a number of ways to get there and these are all not necessarily FDA routes, but some analysis must be in hand to really substantiate the claims. If I told you that I have a pill that will make you live to at least 100 years old, would you believe me without proof? Of course when you are 100 years old, I could say “I told you so” — and if 1000 people took that pill, possibly one man will be around to make that claim at 100.
It does bother me that we have such proof with the drug Propecia (finasteride 1mg) and we know the possible side effects (which if they occur you can stop the medication and make the side effect go away) and yet people still seek out the unproven products with slick marketing. We really do not know the side effects of these other products, because it is not in the interest of the various companies to promote side effects, and as there is no FDA involvement they have no legal reason to list all possible side effects. If you are a man with male pattern baldness (MPB) and don’t take Propecia (finasteride 1mg), what you lose while you fool around with these other products is your valuable hair, which will be lost forever.
I read this article in the New York Times and also found it on the International Herald Tribune site — Potential for harm in dietary supplements
Snippet from the article:
A form of substance abuse rampant in this country is rarely discussed publicly or privately. It involves abusing legally sold dietary supplements — vitamins, minerals, herbals and homeopathic remedies — all of which can be sold over the counter without prior approval for safety and effectiveness.
This is a very important story. We spend billions of dollars trying to achieve a longer and healthier life, and when we do, we get roped in by advertisements and multi-level marketing processes which get us to buy more and more of these products. Some of them are dangerous! Please take a few moments to read this.
Full article: IHT.com
I recently found the next used snake oil salesman that I would love for you to comment on (or just put into place). The story goes, Balding guy stumbled upon a website (https://www.physicianshairgrowth.com). The jerks there toy with his emotions with a new product that combines propecia and minoxidil in a topical solution which they claim:
“After many months of research and 6 months of a triple blind study we are proud to announce the availability of Promox. Promox which proves to be 75% effective on both the frontal and vertex areas within a six month period.
At present there are only two products approved by the FDA for hair growth. Promox combines these two in a topical product that blocks 80 to 90% of DHT with minimal side effects.
The results of our study are very positive and confirm the hypothesis that the topical solution of minoxidil and finasteride is more effective than either one alone.”
Will you please respond and let me know if this is just more snake oil, or should I break out the visa?
Your inferences are correct. First of all, it is wrong of them to suggest that any finasteride spray is proven effective by the FDA. There is no such proof available and certainly no FDA clearance of tests on either the spray by itself or the combination of the two medications (finasteride and minoxidil). Secondly, the site for this Promox product says that it “Contains: Minoxidil 5%, Azelaic Acid 1.5%, Progesterone 0.25%, Tretinoin 0.025%, Finasteride 0.1%” — and if the product indeed has progesterone, it may be absorbed by the body. Safety would be an issue, let alone violations of FDA approved language and claims.
For those keeping score, this product is formulated by the same physician that sells Re-Mox (which is his blend of minoxidil and tretinoin). Let the buyer beware!
Have you heard anything about “HVT” from New Health Products in Brewster, NY. Their propaganda reads like many dietary supplement products: stop hair loss, thicken hair, regrow hair. Most of their “so called” testimonials primarily mention “fuzz”. I have used other products before that have given me more fuzz, but the fuzz never matured to “typical adult scalp hair.”
I did search your archives. I could not find anything using your search. Using a google search brought me to your blog in the first place. It found one message asking about HVT in the middle of a thread for a different product and the HVT question did not seem to get answered. (The person should have probably asked the question separately.)
https://www.new-healthproducts.com/hvt.html
Some of the vitamins and minerals that are used in this product are things that I take daily (like folic acid), but I do not see any evidence that this has any value for treating hair loss or regrowing hair. You are right to call it propaganda. A lot of hype without proof.
Hello Dr, I have used propecia in the past with a loss of libido and erection problems.So for the past year i have been using Revivogen. Revivogen has stopped further hairloss for me but has not given me any regrowth. So four months ago i decided to use rogaine, But rogaine gave me bad water retention and facial swelling so i stopped using it one week ago. I am planning to go and see my doctor tomorrow to get a prescription for propecia again. I plan to use 0.25 daily. I have heard that using this low dose has a low side effect rate. Do you think that adding propecia to my regimen of revivogen will give me some good regrowth? I have a feeling that these two products will work very well together.Thanks
Your guess is as good as mine with regard to Revivogen and Propecia (finasteride 1mg) when used together. I’ve written about Revivogen in the past (see Revivogen vs Propecia).
There are reports that 0.25mg of finasteride has only about 25% the effects of 1mg, but it still has some benefit… and your chances of side effects are likely less.
Hello! I’m a 55-yr-old guy who’s had several HT procedures over the past 20 years. My last two were performed by different surgeons (both well-respected in this field), and both times I was surprised and delighted to note astounding growth of newly-grafted hair which I believe resulted from my coincidental use of a unique nutritional supplement. At six weeks following surgeries, I already had a solid half-inch crop of thick, colored new hairs which continued to grow like crazy. My current HT doc is starting a small trial with this supplement next week. Would you be interested in hearing about this? I think I accidentally discovered HT Miracle-Grow!
Sure, please keep me in the loop. I try to keep an open mind.
Update:
The person that sent me this email has told me that he’ll send me updates when he can, so I’ll post more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, take the above for what you will. Anyone want to wager a guess as to what this supplement could be?
I need to know once and for all. Does saw palmetto work for pattern hair loss?
Most of the excitement for using saw palmetto as a treatment for androgenic hair loss is based on its mechanism of action and the evidence that it works for prostate problems like benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Besides anecdotal reports, there is actually little evidence that it also works for hair loss.
There has been only one study thus far published in the medical literature examining saw palmetto to treat pattern baldness. In this small study, 6 out of then 10 subjects with androgenic alopecia who received saw palmetto were reported to benefit from the treatment. This is far too small a study to draw any conclusions on its efficacy for pattern hair loss.
Dr. Rassman
It is not my intention to be a “naysayer†or to engage in a continued point-counterpoint debate regarding the Lasercomb. I don’t have any ax to grind. But, in your wonderful site, your readers may not have the background to fully appreciate unusual statements in the Lasercomb response.
As a physician who is an experienced clinical trialist (I negotiated and presented clinical data resulting in drug approvals at the FDA for two major biotechnology companies over a period of 15 years) and a balding patient, the Lexington statement is not entirely forthright for your readers and does not fully address major concerns. It comes across to me as if it’s written by marketing folks rather than scientists involved in analysis and presentation of clinical data. Specifically,
It’s wonderful that “GCPâ€, “IRB approvalâ€, etc was part of their clinical trial. For your readers, that means that the data was “real†(i.e., not fake or compromised), which of course is important when submitting data to regulatory agencies (FDA). But, the compelling question and real issue is presentation of data and accurate statements. For example,
- Great that the single pivotal study is being written up for publication. This should have taken 1 week and been done a long time ago. It is highly atypical that a device or drug is approved without the study being published (before approval) in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal. This is truly the only way for physicians and patients to understand the effectiveness and safety profile, and make an educated decision. It is so atypical not to publish such data that the absence creates skepticism, whether deserved or not.
- It is misleading for those not privy to drug/device approval processes to say that approval was based on the same statistical scrutiny as minoxidil and finasteride. What they mean is that statistical superiority had to be shown over a placebo control. The number of patients used, number of studies conducted, and duration of treatment, follow-up, and extent of the number of patients exposed paled in comparison to the aforementioned drugs. There is nothing wrong with this per se as a medical device should not be held to the same standards as a drug with potential systemic toxicity. But, again, it speaks to the clarity by which the company attempts to educate readers.
- In the absence of publication of data in a peer-reviewed journal, the company gives only “partial data†on their web site and omits critical information (number of patients in the study, mean compliance, etc) that raises suspicion (even when no suspicion may be warranted). The presentation of clinical data on their web site is so poor that it appears to have been done by those not experienced in how to present data (and thus does not allow readers to be fully educated).
- LaserComb may be the best thing in the world. The “real issue†is not, as the company states, that “people are not willing to move away from the “status quo.†That is ridiculous. The issue is that, in this age where data is often manipulated, spun, and marketed, companies touting products have an ethical and scientific obligation to provide detailed data of their clinical trials in public forums so that physicians and patients can make informed choices. When such data is not presented (or “in preparationâ€), a proper evaluation of risk/benefit can not be made, and skepticism abounds. Ironicaly if data is in a form for submission for regulatory approval, a few “cut and pastes” of several sections of the submission document should be all that is required to write up a small study.
- The Lexington statement notes that “the hair growth, quality, condition, tensile strength, and manageability of hair†is enhanced by their laser. Data???? The company also makes statements based on their “extensive anecdotal experience over 20 yearsâ€. While anecdotal experience is not as valuable as placebo-controlled trials, it is still helpful. Let us hope that the company is also writing a manuscript “in preparation†summarizing this experience.
- One P.S. The company needs to stops saying it “offers a money back guarantee.†As with presentation of their clinical data (so far), a half-truth. The company offers (beyond a month) a 60% refund if the comb is returned within 5 months. Their statement implies that those who find it not effective can return it, which is not the criteria. Again, nothing wrong with their policy. The issue is one of clarity of communication, which is missing for their clinical data.
We appreciate your excellent observations and input into such a controversial subject. I would hope that our readers take the time to reread your comments carefully, for in those comments there are many insights into the research process and when it is credible.
For more from this thread of critical back and forth, see:
- Critical of the LaserComb’s Claims and FDA’s Rulings
- Response from Lexington International (Makers of LaserComb) Regarding Critical Statements
And to read previous posts on the LaserComb, please see the list here.
Hello Dr. Rassman,
I’m a 19 year old male, who has a very oily scalp. I’m suspecting that it contributes to my hairloss by clogging the follicles. I have used a lot of dandruff shampoos (including Nizoral and tar shampoos), but nothing seems to work. Do you know any stronger treatment which can effectivly remove the oil on my scalp?
Thank you
An oily scalp will not cause hair loss by clogging the pores of the hair follicles. Just use a good shampoo.
i have a few questions. i have been taking propecia for about a year now and it has halted my hairloss. however i have also been taken adderall and have noticed my hair is getting really thin on top and in the front. If i stop taking adderal, will my hair get thicker and start to regrow or have i just screwed myself. also i just bought a hairmax laser comb that is suppost to stop DHT…. Should i still take propecia?
for my last question. i have an appointment with a dermatologist to have my scalp looked at. what should i ask them in regards to my current hair loss
thank you for your time.
Adderall is known to cause hair loss or thinning in some people. I can not even guess what will happen to you over time. Do not stop taking prescribed medication without discussing it with your prescribing physician. Taking Propecia is good and one way to halt your hair loss. The LaserComb, to my knowledge, does not impact DHT production nor is it claimed to do so.
Get your dermatologist to map out your hair for miniaturization and measure with an appropriate caliber, the thickness of your hair shafts in different parts of your scalp.
(female) 2 years ago I was diagnosed with psoriasis on the scalp. I’ve had intermittent “flares” which responded moderately well to Taclonex but last sat. I tried Clobex. I let the ointment set overnight and then when I washed my hair the next evening my hair began to fall out in clumps and is now coming out diffusely EVERYWHERE on my scalp. I am just a few days from being bald. Could the Clobex have caused my entire head (not just the patch I applied it to), to go into a telogen effluvium like state? Will my hair grow back? Also, I just had the patch biopsied (never has been before) to confirm psoriasis. Ive been battling fatigue, night sweats, mod. weight loss, some angular chelosis, and am 25? Should I insist on a fungal culture, ANA, Lyme titer. Something is up….Ive used clobex before without these symptoms. Thanks so much.
Clobex is a steroid shampoo, but hair falling out in clumps to a point of complete baldness with night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, etc is NOT NORMAL. You should not be seeking advice here on the Internet. You need to find a doctor and get an examination and diagnosis, along with an explanation of what may be going on.
Greetings Dr. Rassman,
We’d like to thank you for taking the time to acknowledge the HairMax LaserComb on your Web site. We take this opportunity to respond to some of your comments and attempt to put to rest much of the ongoing debate over the HairMax LaserComb on your site.
In January of 2007, the HairMax LaserComb was Cleared by the FDA for the “Promotion of Hair Growth†in males with certain classes of Androgenetic Alopecia. This Clearance was based, not solely on a predicate device (as you’ve stated in your blog), but also on solid clinical data from our multi-centered double blind sham controlled study which followed all Good Clinical Practices.
For your readers reference, there are two processes for medical device approvals from the FDA, one being PMA (Pre-Market Approval) and the other is a 510K. Since our laser is considered a NSR (Non Significant Risk) device as defined by international laser safety standards, we appealed to the FDA to submit a 510K based on the safety of predicate devices.
Our clinical study, device labeling, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and ISO (Quality) accreditation was the basis of receiving the FDA 510k Clearance.
The study took place at 5 sites throughout the United States. We are currently drafting a medical review of the study to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. We have every intention of publishing the study and making the full results available for public scrutiny.
Our statistical data, along with macro analyses of trial participants’ before and after images were proven to be medically significant. Our clinical protocol was IRB approved, followed GCP (Good Clinical Practices) and we utilized clinical trial monitors to verify all source data and case report forms. Please understand that we had to prove to the FDA, under the same statistical scrutiny as both Propecia and Minoxidil, that the HairMax was effective in increasing ‘Hair Counts’ in men with Androgenetic Alopecia.
In addition, we have just completed a clinical study for female Androgenetic Alopecia and have filed a new FDA 510K submission for females. We are cautiously optimistic that it will receive Clearance for females suffering from hair loss.
As for statements on your site concerning the difference between FDA approval and FDA clearance, here is the rule of thumb for submissions cleared by the FDA: In general, Drugs are ‘Approved’ for sale, and Medical Devices are ‘Cleared’ for an ‘Indication of Use’.
In your ongoing critique of the HairMax LaserComb, you also compare the technology to that of the laser hood. Here, again, you are not taking in to account the differences between the two devices. Yes, the HairMax LaserComb and the laser hood both use red lasers, but the HairMax uses a patented special array of hair parting teeth which allow for an unobstructed path of the laser to the scalp. We believe this direct laser path to the hair follicle is a critical design feature which makes the HairMax LaserComb standout from the laser hood and provides greater efficacy. Simple reasoning would indicate that an individual’s hair will block some of the laser energy from the laser hood and they would simply not see comparable results because the laser energy would not reach the scalp.
We have conducted an experiment aimed at assessing the delivery of our laser to the scalp with a specific emphasis on the efficacy of the HairMax LaserComb’s patented hair parting teeth. The results showed that 92% of the laser energy emitted from the HairMax is delivered precisely and accurately due simply to the movement of the hair away from the scalp by the hair parting teeth. The efficacy of laser therapy reaching the scalp of non-parted hair amounted to only 9-24%. Obviously this design feature is only valid for someone with hair.
Finally, your critique of the HairMax always seems to point to an alleged lack of clinical data and a clear mechanism of action.
Similar to Rogaine, how the HairMax LaserComb works is debatable and evolving. It is our hypothesis that the HairMax LaserComb, in some way, stimulates the dermal papilla leading to increased cell proliferation of the hair matrix. We believe this process causes increased production of the hair fiber. Supporting this hypothesis are user reports of faster growing hair.
We further hypothesize that the HairMax is an anagen inductor, and support this hypothesis by user reports of increased shedding at the onset of treatment. To us, this indicates an increase in telogen fallout leading to healthier anagen growth.
A few of your prominent colleagues suggest that the HairMax LaserComb may also have some effect on cell apoptosis, but we will not comment further as we know it will spark debate and we do not have any scientific premise to support this theory, yet.
We are about to conduct further research with histologic biopsies to document some of the changes which occur after HairMax LaserComb usage.
Please understand that when we went public with the fact that we were proceeding with clinical trials, naysayers complained that it was just a farce for us to attempt to increase business. Now that we have proven, through our FDA clearance, that clinical trials were conducted, some people still continue to be skeptics…The real issue seems to be that people are not willing to move away from the status quo. Rogaine and Propecia are approved; we are Cleared; all three of us have been proven as effective treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia.
We don’t guarantee that everyone will see results. From our extensive anecdotal experience spanning over 20 years, we have seen that 45% of users see benefits quickly, 45% of users see benefits over time, and 10% of people will see little results. Keep in mind, compliance is a major factor in the realization of benefits. In reality, treatments for any condition are never a sure bet, and we do not contend that our product is a miracle for hair loss sufferers. It does, however, offer well founded hope and quantifiable results, and that’s what we’re about.
To conclude, we have been collaborating with leading hair researchers and clinics across the world. What we’ve found is that the experts who actively use the HairMax LaserComb accept its efficacy; those who do not remain skeptical.
This seems to be the same issue we encounter with non-users of the HairMax LaserComb who are quick to complain that it is ineffective, but are unwilling to give it a chance to work. The HairMax LaserComb has been on the market since 2001, and one of the key factors in marketing a medical device is user experiences. We believe the HairMax LaserComb has one of the highest levels of customer satisfaction of any hair treatments. In addition to positive changes in hair growth, the quality, condition, tensile strength and manageability of the hair is enhanced. We offer a money back guarantee to our direct customers; if the HairMax LaserComb was not an efficacious treatment we would have been in the archives of a ‘hair loss snake oil’ schemes by now. Instead, we have achieved FDA accreditation and gained acceptance from hair experts and have satisfied users worldwide.
We hope that this clears up any misunderstandings you or your readers may have about our medical device.
Sincerely,
Lexington International LLC
I would love to believe that the technology works, but as yet, I can not become a supporter. I will look forward to your new publication and will read it with interest. I try to give controversial issues space on this blog to give a balanced view, so your response is appreciated.
Dear Dr. Rassman,
Iam 24 years old male and iam suffering from hair loss…but its not balding or receding hair line..I have very dry hair since I’ve been shampooing almost everyday for the past 4 or 5 years without knowing its consequences. Strange thing is that my loss is on the sides of my head and this has been more vigorous as i had to travel from one country to another and right now iam in a very hot and humid country..Am i suffering from hair loss or is it just the case of over shampooing and place shifts?..thank you in advance
Humans have asynchronous hair growth, which means that we do not shed or react with climate change (in theory). The hair loss on the sides of the head that you’re experiencing is not usual male pattern baldness, and you will want to get that examined by a doctor. That being said, washing your hair daily or even twice daily will not cause hair loss.
i am a young male and have recently been experiencing thinning hair and a slight receding hair line. recently i started using a testosterone boosting product as I frequently weight train. This product as well as boosting testosterone, claims to lower estrogen, cripple shbg, as well as inhibit DHT. The ingredients are: tribulus, fenugreek, tongkat ali, red clover extract, chrysin, kudzu root, diindolymethane, avena sativa, zinc, pygeum africum, stinging nettle, beta sitosterol, saw palmetto, flaxseed, glycine, l-arginine, magnesium oxide, dipotassium phosphate, malic acid, and l – methionine. while the products mainly used as a testosterone booster, do you think i can continue its use to combat hair loss due to all its dht blockers? after i few months of use i have noticed significantly less hair fall in the shower. I have done some research on the internet and most of the ingredients in a lot of hair loss products are quite similar. What is your take on the use of this product since it claims to (and has) increased testosterone considerably?
The only FDA approved and proven medication for treating hair loss by combating DHT is Propecia (finasteride). To use saw palmetto as an example, since it is listed in the ingredients list you sent — saw palmetto is claimed to treat hair loss by way of DHT. A big difference between FDA approved medications and these non-FDA approved supplements is that the dosage required for treatment is well defined in the medications, but not in the supplements. For starters, who knows how much saw palmetto is in various supplements? It is most certainly different amounts in different products.
If you’re going to take something specifically to treat hair loss, I’d go with something proven to be effective. If this testosterone booster is something you’re taking and is working for your hair, that’s great news and I hope it continues to work. I couldn’t tell you for sure whether it’s actually working or will continue to do so, however.