Comments by a Dermatologist About LaserComb
After the recent FDA approval of the HairMax LaserComb, there have been many brief articles written based upon the press release that the product’s manufacturer had sent out. Most articles I’ve seen have been essentially disbelief that a product like this could’ve been approved, while other articles were simply rehashing what the press release stated.
The following comments regarding the HairMax LaserComb were written by a well known dermatologist. He asked that his name not be used, but agreed to let me post this:
“I think it is the physician’s responsibility to inform the patient about the proven value of any treatment, regardless of any stamp of approval, be it perceived or real, from any organization. This product has had some “approval” in Canada for some time, yet it does not receive any acknowledgment or significant medical approval by practicing physicians, and certainly not by dermatologists whose credibility would be potentially significantly damaged by such commercial endorsement. I think we all recognize that there is still no good study to substantiate or prove the validity of this treatment modality. Promoting this product without the strength of good science puts any physician in a category where public perception might be that ethics and science are colliding with monetary gain and marketing advantage. The decision to advocate this therapy at this point in time where the support for its validity is at best weak, can have consequences. I don’t believe it is sufficient for physicians to hide behind the notion of FDA approval in order to legitimize this modality.”
I think he’s protesting way too much. My wife asked me to try the LaserComb after she saw information abot the clinical testing that established its efficacy. I’m 58 with a younger wife, and if she wants me to thicken up my thinning hair, you’d better believe I’m going to try. So far, so good. And I hardly consider the price tag a problem when you look at the way some “hair replacement” systems charge $1,000s!
I think Dr. Rassman is just a big sceptic. He does not like lasercomb :) It is pretty obvious.
Yes the comb was approved as a class 2 medical device in Canada, but if you go to the Health Canada website and read the class 2 medical device requirements section, you’ll see that no clinical tests are required and the only proof that is needed for effectiveness is a statement from a senior official from the company indicating that they have objective data demonstrating effectiveness. Why do you think it got approved in Canada so quickly?