New Lasercomb Study Shows Promise
Article by HairlossTalk.com
January 20, 2004
Study released in October shows the lasercomb can stimulate hair growth, and verifies its current FDA approved status as a cosmetic device clinically proven to impove the appearance of hair...
In a clinical study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery
and Aesthetic Dermatology, Volume 5, Number 2, 2003, the efficacy of Low Level
Laser Therapy with the HairMax LaserComb was studied to determine if anecdotal
evidence was supported by clinical data. The authors wished to test the efficacy
of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) using a HairMax LaserComb for the stimulation
of hair growth and also to determine what effect LLLT with this device had on
the tensile strength of hair.
Male and female patients with Androgentic Alopecia, aged 28 to 76, were each given
a LaserComb to use at home for six full months. Hair counts were done in the areas
of greatest hair loss in the temporal and vertex regions at the beginning of the
study and again after six months. Changes in the tensile strength of the hair
were also recorded during this study. Hair counts increased in the temporal area
an average of 55.2% for women, 74.1% in men and 69.1% for all patients. In the
vertex area, the corresponding percentages were 64.9% for women, 120.1% for men
and 111.9% for all patients.
The combined average hair count increase for all men and women in the temporal
and vertex areas was 93.5%.
Additionally, the hair tensile strength was increased 78.9% when all temporal
and vertex patients were considered. 28 males aged 28 to 72 and 7 females aged
46 to 76 were given a HairMax LaserComb to use at home for six full months and
instructed to comb his/her entire scalp hair slowly (advancing one-quarter of
an inch per second) for five to ten minutes every other day. The treatment was
to be carried out when the hair and scalp were clean and the hair was dry. A hair
count in the greatest area of alopecia and a determination of the tensile strength
of the hair was carried out before treatment was started and again, after six
months of treatment.
View the complete study in PDF Format here:
A clear acrylic mold of each patient’s head was created with the front of the
mold positioned at the hairline, and a one centimeter square removed from the
mold in the area of greatest alopecia in either the temporal or vertex region.
For the hair count, the hairs within the one square centimeter space were pulled
through the opening, and then counted using a surgical skin hook and a lens
with five times magnification. Hair counts were carried out by both authors
to confirm the accuracy of the data. The mechanism or mechanisms of action of
LLLT are unknown with regard to the stimulation of hair growth or how the hair
tensile strength is increased so greatly. From wound healing studies, it is
know that LLLT causes an increase in the microcirculation of tissue, and a reduction
in inflammation.
The amount of cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphatase (ATP)
is also increased following LLLT. Perhaps one or more of these beneficial effects
are responsible for the results we were able to achieve. The authors hypothesized
that the early temporary hair shedding experienced by some patients was most
likely related to an accelerated hair cycle in general. Obviously, more research
is required if we are to understand the scientific findings noted in this paper
with greater clarity.
HLT
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