First laser to get FDA clearance for hair growth (2007)

[10243406]

your a moron, period.

[funk192]

You're entitled to your opinion, next time use correct grammar & spell it out correctly. Full stop :P

[airic101]

hey just wondering have you heard of NuSkin? they have a handheld lazer unit with a bunch of different heads to be used for different things. the one im obviously interested in is for hair restoration. what do you thing alanbauman? thanks for your help!

[Craptron2000]

This is totally and intentionally misleading . The low level laser got FDA approval for being safe to use - not for being an effective product for treating baldness. The only FDA approved use of lasers relating to hair, is for hair removal, not hair stimulation as this video insinuates. If laser is in any way effective, it's a lot less so than conventional treatment.

[AEGORGIS]

Bullshit...I bought one.The expensive one.Its all a crock.God these thieves prey on the desperate.Look up Balayam video,please lets give no more money to these modern day medicine men!

[Lengsel7]

@AEGORGIS From what I've read, the laser combs are way underpowered, and too inconvenient to use properly. In order for it to work, one would have to hold the laser over every spot of one's scalp for about 20 minutes, three times a week. There's no way anyone is going to be able to do that. If it's in a powerful enough helmet configuration, only then would there be a chance.

[xfucktheworld831]

hey does it work for regrowing mustache

[schism35]

Give me a break! the result from this are marginal at best. stick the propecia if your worried, but remember that you genes WILL win, you may only buy some time

[alexapollo22]

I gained my hair back by wearing Alex Chiu's Immortality Rings. My hairline went back to when I was 25. The rings really did help me gain lots of hair back.

[TheAkb10]

Amazing how hair loss problem can be resolved. look here: hair.xfollow.me (Copy to your browsers address bar)

[gdolim8]

Amazing! A new way to renew hair growth! look here: hair.xfollow.me (Copy to your browsers address bar)

[RetroHunter06]

dear dr. bauman, is there any evidence that the laser can really penetrate to the follicle?

[alanbauman]

The coherent light penetrates several millimeters--easily through a hamburger, for example. Also, there is evidence to support that LLLT target cells release growth factors affecting other nearby cells.

[Uouttooo]

Can you give us the reference(s) to the published journal article(s) on this evidence please? Thanks!

[alanbauman]

International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology, Volume 5, Number 2, 2003

and

1: Clin Drug Investig. 2009;29(5):283-92. doi: 10.2165/00044011-200929050-000­01.Links

HairMax LaserComb(R) Laser Phototherapy Device in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled, Multicentre Trial.Leavitt M, Charles G, Heyman E, Michaels D.

Private Dermatology Practice, Maitland, Florida, USA.

[barzoman2]

OK now if the FDA cleared this technology even if it was not %100 effective it will be %100 safe product

(No side effect on our health)

IS THAT RIGHT ?

[alanbauman]

There has never EVER been a side-effect reported since research started on low level laser therapy in the 1960s.

[barzoman2]

Some people said that it is cleared from FDA not Aprooved and what dose that means ? ..not safe product ?

[alanbauman]

In order to achieve the clearance, they had to prove that it was safe, but also they had to prove that it was effective (to some degree). Safety is based on the technical specifications of the laser (power, etc.) and the effectiveness was proven with clnical trials.

[barzoman2]

Some people say it came with side effect on brain or health then who we should trust if they lie in there news or advertize vids

[alanbauman]

Do your homework. There has never been an adverse side effect from Low Level Laser Therapy--EVER!! 2000+ scientific papers, 6 textbooks, 4 international societies...and growing. This technology has been around since the 1960's. Safe and non-chemical. Lasers are also fda-approved for pain control, wound healing, even for use with liposuction.

[barzoman2]

Ok Do you advice to go buy the laser brush or buy the big profissional units with 50 and 90 lasers covering the whole head tops and sides ?

[alanbauman]

I typically recommend an in-office evaluation first. The clinical units are essentially fool-proof, as long as you have the correct device, settings and treatment plan. The problem with the hand-helds is that most patients give up too soon. However, if you're going to spend $ on a hand-held, go for the THL-1 by Erchonia. It's by far the best hand-held on the market.

[barzoman2]

The big deal of the big units that it is not much expesive it stay between $300 to $600 depending on how many laser lights in it .

40 or 50 or 90 lasers ..you can see it at amazon website

[RetroHunter06]

hey Dr. Bauman! May I ask you why those lasers are rotating? is that important?

[alanbauman]

Some of the early laser hoods we had didn't have enough lasers to fully cover the scalp all at once, so a rotating device was built into the machine. Today, the most sophisticated and reliable units are the ones that don't move (over 100 diodes) covering the entire scalp without rotating.

[closecombat3]

like rogaine and finastride? thats what im using at the moment. its stopped my hairloss im not quite to sure did it grow back any though as my hairloss was just a small receeiding line that you would hardly notice.

[cellularzz]

does that really really work ?

[alanbauman]

Actually, there's never been a side effect from low level laser therapy since it's use was first studied in the late 1960's. Often, because the hair quality improves (increased hair-caliber) with laser therapy, so does the color--it becomes more pigmented.

[aerudi]

Note- The "Before and after photo the hair colors are different. Laser may cause brain health problems

[alanbauman]

Actually, low level lasers are being used to treat stroke victims. These just work on the skin, they do not penetrate that deep. Also, there's never been a side effect from laser therapy, ever. Plenty of before and afters are available using standard medical photography. This video was taken by the news crew.

[SERRANO317537]

is this foreal or wat??

cuz i really need to grow sum hair

i have a little bit of hair and its thin too

[KevinLounsberry]

cutting your hair doesn't promote hair growth.. that wouldn't make sense. your body can't "determine" whether or not you've cut your hair. it can tell if it's been pulled out though

[Miguels07]

My mother owns one of these and actually a much better one since shes a chosmetic surgoen, and it only helps the hairs that have already grown, she hasnt seen anyone with complete hair growth, this thickens and keeps the hair alive that are already grown and even that chance is not to high. But i mean there can be that rare exception, but not to the degree there advertising.

[brayden12345]

this is great for nerds who cant grow a moustache :P and they can get it for under $700 :O this is dumb.

[iamwarrior99]

can you claim it's a scam without using it. I haven't heard anybody who used it say it doesn't

work. this device has been on dateline and other

news coverage. it obviously does something.

[noeldnz]

what's plateau effect?I hear it for the first time.Could you inform shortly?

[alanbauman]

The recommendataion of a medication that is 'off label' is done with careful consideration of risks and benefits. For many patients, since dutasteride is not fda-approved for hair loss, the risks outweigh the benefits. Others gladly accept the risks. It is a careful, informed decision made by with communication between doctor and patient.

[alanbauman]

Remember that it usually takes at least six months to see visible changes with non-invasive treatments. Because you are using several treatments, it would be difficult to tell which is working the best, but my guess is that it would be the Propecia.

[jerryaltman]

Some doctor said that finasteride and minoxil lose the effect after some years and the hair will be lost anyway, like the clinic treatments could only late, turn slower the hair-loss process. Why some doctor have this position about the hair treatments of minoxidil (rogan) and finasteride (propecia)???

[alanbauman]

The confusion you describe is a common misconception. Minoxidil and Propecia work to enhance and protect the hair you have---they do not have an effect on hair that is 'dead and gone.' At some point in time, the improvement in coverage seen with Propecia will plateau. However, continued use of propecia means that the hair will be protected. If you stop Propecia, miniaturization will continue.

[jerryaltman]

Sorry to persist, but some respected doctors said clear that propecia and mixodil can recover fragile hair for a time, making it stronger, but after about 5 or 6 years would lose effect (even if still using it) and the miniaturizatioin would restart and the hair would die. Other doc said that finasteride alone don't save the hair forever, and it will be lost anyway buy more late only, and just a good combination of several drugs would keep the hair for entire life.

[alanbauman]

The data on Propecia alone shows that 90% of men look 'the same or better' after five years.  Adding additional therapies like minoxidil/rogaine, laser or hair transplantation makes the odds even better.

[jerryaltman]

I see you with HairMax laser hairbrush device. Is the HairPro laser hairbrsuh as good as HairMax device? Did you tested HairPro device?

[jerryaltman]

Hairgrow methods (minoxidil/propecia/lasaer) revitalizes the surviving follicles, that was thin or almost invissible as small fluff hair. If the follicle had already dead, it will not grow. Follicles takes several year to die afer start to get weak, about 4 to 10 years (variable. So the surviving follicles had fine chances to be revitalized, and that's why manytimes the hair is just partially recovered, since it will recover the survivors.

[alanbauman]

Of course, the earlier you seek treatment the better. Medications will help prevent hair loss and hair transplant procedures restore hair to the thinning/balding area. Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan, based on their hair loss status and goals. Start at w-w-w-baumanmedical-dot-com for a preliminary consultation. --Dr. Bauman

[Drabgrey]

are their parts of the head that it works better one? crown, front. does it matter if you've been bald a long time or are bald"ing?" does it work on everyone or just a percentage? anything you've noticed between your patients who have higher chances of growing more or less hair?

[alanbauman]

Laser therapy (in-office or at-home devices) typically work better where there is more hair. If the area is severely low density or bald, I wouldn't expect much of a visible change in coverage. The laser (and other non-invasive treatments, like rogaine & propecia) typically work best where the thinning is just starting to occur. --Dr. Bauman

[alanbauman]

Laser therapy works on follicles in a way similar to minoxidil: thinn, wispy hairs tend to grow longer, thicker and more pigmented. Dead hair follicles are gone forever.

[Drabgrey]

doesn't propecia do that though already? i dont think someone who's been using propecia for a few years is going to see much of a difference with the lasers even if he is only barely thinning, right?

[alanbauman]

There's no published scientific data on Propecia plus LLLT. However, we do know that rogaine plus propecia has a synergistic effect. Since laser, minoxidil and propecia all work through a different mechanism, it would appear that synergy is possible...

[misao1311]

cool!

[alanbauman]

It sounds like you are experiencing alopecia areata that is progressing towards alopecia totalis.  Unfortunately, there are no treatments that work consistently for that type of hair loss. Sometimes the condition reverses on its own or with cortisone injections. At Bauman Medical, we focus mainly on hereditary hair loss or hair loss due to trauma/accidents.

[alanbauman]

The results certainly vary between patients. You can usually see the baseline density measurements increase between 8-20 weeks. Visual changes (on a photograph, for example, take about six months or more to develop). Of course the changes in 'coverage' will be determined by the amount, quality, and length of hair in the treatment area.

[jamal22066]

are you the real Dr. Bauman?

[alanbauman]

Who else would I be?

[g3mmersl9]

BTW, I am male.

[g3mmersl9]

Dr. Bauman, you say that hairloss is now optional - what are some ways that I can start preventing and combating hair loss now? I am 20 years old, and I have a dad who is bald, as well as grandparents who are bald. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to be bald, and I don't wanna live. I also don't want my g/f to leave me.

[alanbauman]

g3mmersl9, If you have a significant amount of hair loss in your family, probably the most important step is to seek an evaluation from a doctor who specializes in the treatment of hair loss. Physicians who focus exclusively in hair restoration, and the latest treatments and procedures, will be able to give you the best advice. Typically, we would use Propecia and/or Minoxidil to start with.

[jerryaltman]

Hi. I know people who use minoxil and finasterid (popecia), and stiull are losing hair, despite of be young and had not nutritional problems or alopecia areata. Why this happen?

[alanbauman]

Jerry, Unfortunately, medical treatments don't work 100% on everyone. For example, the clinical data from Propecia shows that 90% of men look the 'same' or 'better' after five years.

[jerryaltman]

My personal problem is the higly excessive oil production, and I even tried isotretinoin, twice (double dosage in second try), but the excessive oil back. The hair treatment (minoxidil propecia) had effect when the oil was low during isotretinoin using, but when the oil back to get excessive the hair had become weak again. What alternative I have to control the higly oil on my skin, since Isotretinoin is dangerous in high dosages and medical shampoos or lotions had good results.

[jerryaltman]

Just a final question. Is the compact laser hair grow devices so effective as the expensive ones from clinics? Have the compact models the some power? I know the clinics uses devices with about 50 to 100 laser spots, like a helmet, while the hand devices are ike a hairbrush with 36 spots only that need to applied around the are moving up and down.