Do Laser Combs Work?

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Both men and women can suffer from hair loss. If you think your hair is falling out, you might be right. However, some hair fall is considered normal. At an average, we can lose 50 to 100 hair strands per day. This happens throughout the day whether you’re taking a shower, combing your hair, or sleeping. Most often than not, people do not notice such hair shedding.

On the other hand, there are also some who have significant hair loss and thinning of hair. That can be stressful and depressing. However, there are a few options to help you stop the thinning of your hair like the use of laser combs and laser caps. Are these systems real, or is it all woo-woo? In this article, we will look closely at the question Do Laser Combs Work?

But before we discuss that, lets first see why you experience hair fall out.

Contents

Hair Loss and Genetics

According to the American Academy of Dermatology or AAD, hair loss is caused by a lot of factors but the most common cause is due to genetics. The hereditary condition called androgenetic alopecia is a condition to which hair loss can start to occur from teens to their early 20s.

For men, this results in a receding hairline until the hair on the crown and front doesn’t grow anymore. Women may also suffer from this, of course. But signs in women are less obvious, and will generally appear as thinning of the hair over the whole scalp. This occurs most especially at the crown.

This hereditary hair loss condition has been continuously researched and they found that this is mostly influenced by the hormone testosterone. This hormone can affect the normal hair cycle, which results in thinner or shorter hair.

At first, only thinner hair can be seen then it stops to grow in some areas until the typical balding pattern appears.

Other Causes Of Hair Loss

Apart from genetics, there are other causes of hair loss. Significantly increasing the amount of shed hair can be due to the following problems:

Using styling products improperly or excessively can lead to hair breakage and hair thinning. Due to the damage on the hair, it could appear thinner and lifeless.
Pulling on hair is another cause of hair loss. Even if you just love a sleek ponytail or tight braids, it can pull on the hair and cause hair loss, too.
Aside from styling products, other hair products like shampoo, conditioner, hair color, chemicals for hair straightening or curling, or bleaching agents can all cause hair loss if it is improperly used. Some people may be allergic to the ingredients even if others are not.
Some diseases could also result in hair loss like thyroid disease.
Use of medication, birth control pills, blood thinners, high doses of vitamins, anti-depressives and many others can also cause hair loss.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also known to cause hair loss as a side effect of the treatment.
The diet or lack of protein, iron, or other eating disorders can also lead to hair loss because the body doesn’t have enough nutrients.

Laser Combs For Hair Growth

One innovative product when it comes to hair loss is the laser comb. A laser comb is a handheld device, that you use to comb your hair as you would a regular comb. The only difference is that it has laser diodes that help deal with hair loss that is brought about by hereditary factors.

The image shown above is of the HairMax Laser Comb, but there are many great options out there. See our article on the Best Laser Combs for recommendations and reviews.

Laser combs only work for hair loss that is due to genetics. It does so by stimulating the hair follicles to grow thicker hair. These products are geared towards home uses. It is compact and simple to use even at home.

Laser combs are also regulated by the FDA to ensure that they don’t cause harm to the user with the technology that it uses.

Technology Behind Laser Combs

The technology used by laser combs is called low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation therapy. Contrary to high-powered lasers that are used to cut dead tissues, low-level lasers are only useful in relieving pain and enhancing cellular function.

This simply means that the laser used for the combs is noninvasive and pain-free.

We’ve written extensively about the power and promise of light therapy for various uses. See our article on the Benefits of Light Therapy for basics. Light Therapy is promising for wrinkes, rosacea, acne, pain, and many other circumstances.

It is a fascinating topic that is getting more and more coverage in the news.

Since 2007, this technology was approved by the FDA as a treatment for slight to moderate male pattern baldness. Through the use of this technology, it is believed that there would be an increase in the blood flow on the scalp and also stimulate the hair follicles so that hair could grow.

Physicians have different views on the effectiveness of laser hair therapy. Some simply reject the idea but others see the possibility of using it to help with men and women with genetic baldness.

There are also some who are thinking of combining it with other treatments for hereditary baldness, like hair transplants, minoxidyl, etc., will greatly help in wound healing and hair regrowing.

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Physicians do not have a clear stand on whether to support laser technology for hair loss because the results that are available are inconsistent. Although the products are approved by the FDA, they are fairly new, and clearly more research must be done.

Regardless, many are excited about this technology and application because of the encouraging results that research thus far has provided.

One study in 2013 shows that the use of LLLT at the 655 nm wavelength has significantly increased the hair count of the participants. Another study done in 2014 notes that not only is the technology effective but also safe to use on both men and women.

Even if the technology is still worth researching to further prove or disprove its effectiveness, the available results make it a worthy product to try. It is safe and there is a great possibility that it works.

How Do Laser Combs Work?

Here is a short video that shows the basics of how a laser comb works. Of course, different models and brands have different designs and systems, but this will give you a general overview of the process.

Advantages Of Using Laser Combs

Can be used by both men and women.
It helps prevent further hair loss and encourages more hair growth.
Strengthens existing hair and helps it grow faster to achieve a fuller look.
It is a noninvasive procedure that isn’t painful or uncomfortable.
It can be conveniently used at home.
Laser combs are small and portable units that are easy to travel with.

Disadvantages Of Using Laser Combs

It takes time to see effects. Users need several sessions before any effects are observable. For some, it may seem like a time-consuming task.
As with research, there are still some users who did not have positive results with laser hair combs. The reason why is still unknown in more research is necessary. If it works, then that’s great, if not, then you just have to find another way to treat your hair loss.
Although the laser is non-invasive and safe, there is still possible that it can photosynthesize some medications or chemicals you are taking in or placing on the skin.

Side Effects Of Laser Combs

When using the laser combs, there are a few side effects that you can experience. The most common of which is slight itching or tingling of the scalp. Some take this as a sign that the product is working because of the increase in blood circulation in the scalp.

Temporary hair loss or shedding can also be a side effect. It could be shocking to experience shedding when your goal is to grow hair but the shedding should only be significant at the first few months of use. After the hair sheds, new hair will eventually grow.

Laser Combs Vs Laser Helmets

A product that is also associated with laser combs is laser helmets and caps like the IRestore we reviewed here. These products are similar because they use the same technology, which is low-level laser therapy, to grow hair.

Choosing between the two products can be affected by the following factors:

Treatment Time

Laser helmets will usually instruct you to have the product sitting on your head for about 25 minutes per session. This is done every other day. On the other hand, laser combs only instruct to use the product for 8-15 minutes for each session. With laser combs, you have to comb your hair slowly and repeat the sessions for about three times a week.

Laser caps take more time to use, but you just have to sit there and place it on top of your head. Laser combs, on the other hand, take lesser time to do but you have to actively comb your hair slowly for it to work.

Cost

Laser helmets are larger units and contain more diodes than laser combs. They are almost universally more expensive than laser combs. If you want a more affordable product that uses the same technology, opt for a laser comb. On the other hand, if you want the most power, and don’t mind the expensive price, then opt for a laser cap or laser helmet.

Convenience

We know that the process of using a laser comb requires more effort. However, it’s still not that bad. Combing your hair is a simple act that anyone can do. Many users feel that the smaller size is more convenient, and certainly the price is typically lower.

On the other hand, laser helmets offer a different kind of convenience. They are much easy to use and can be used hands-free. You can use your hands during treatment so you may not really notice how long treatment sessions are.

Convenience is a personal thing. You need to figure out which would work best for you and for how you want to use it.

Final Words

Laser combs for hair regrowth use low-level laser technology to influence the hair follicles to grow hair. It also helps improve circulation to the scalp so that it can better receive the nutrients needed to grow hair. It is a treatment limited to hereditary hair loss of either men or women.

Like other products, there are different views on the effectiveness of the products. However, there are studies that prove they can work. They are also approved by the FDA as safe. With that, there is no harm in trying such a product to help treat your hereditary baldness.