I don't think it is reasonable to expect the general public to really understand exactly what to expect from ANY type of therapy (minox, fin, transplants, laser, etc.) until they've spoken with a physician who can evaluate their current situation and goals.

It's kind of like the average guy going to the gym and thinking he's just a couple of sit-ups away from six-pack abs. His personal trainer will let him know it's going to take more than just sit-ups and that it's going to take months, not weeks. The analogy works becasue a good personal trainer (or hair doc) will help his clients (patients) set appropriate goals, realistic expectations and time-frames.

When Propecia was first approved 10 years ago, and the studies were published, most of us hair docs didn't really know exactly what to expect from the therapy. We knew it was beneficial, but by how much? Certainly, I learned what kind of reversal of miniaturization I could expect to see from prescribing it a few hundred times and following the patients' results.

Some patients surprise us by how much they respond to the non-invasive therapies, some because they don't realize how much they've responded, and some because they don't respond, period.

--Dr. B.

__________________
Alan J. Bauman, M.D.
Medical Director
Bauman Medical Group
Boca Raton, FL USA
http://www.baumanmedical.com

bezane,

Thanks for the response...

First let me say, that generally speaking, I don't disagree with you. I have not seen anything from posters over the years on this, or other forums, or even back when I was researching alternative methods 5+ years ago, state that they have had any benefit from laser therapy, whether a hand-held device or from a clinic. I have never tried it first hand, nor do intend to, especially after having 3 transplants.

You said...

I can certainly understand why you are miffed especially because you were duped once into trying something that didn't work for you and wasted your money...but please understand ...this board is not MAKING new readers BELIEVE anything. All the arguments are thrown out on the table and readers make a choice as to what to believe.

I must state this: EVERYONE, including Dr. Bauman is in AGREEMENT that laser therapy is NOT a cure for hair loss. There is no false advocacy being made here from gimic companies that laser therapy will help ANYONE regrow a full head of hair. Making a statement like that is preposterous. That conversation is not happening here. The converstion that IS taking place here is whether or not laser therapy will help anyone at all regarding hair loss. But even Dr. Bauman who is stating that laser therapy has merit is stating that there are many limitations.

I'm simply stating straight out that if I have not made a full conclusion one way or the other. I tend to agree with Dr. Feller on his stand and don't actually see how lasers could do anything to stimulate any new growth, even if it is minimal. Yet on the other hand, Dr. Bauman's claim to have seen it first-hand knowing he is a respectable doctor in his field does peek my interest a bit.

If you read Dr. Bauman's posts, you can see he is not advocating it like those commercialized scam companies that promise the world and deliver nothing. BUT, he is stating that in some patients there might be some benefit. So is it possible? Maybe...maybe not.

As I said...I will not advocate laser therapy until I see evidence that it works...BUT, I will not close my eyes to REAL research.

Heck...if everyone closed their eyes to new possibilities, there will NEVER be new developments in hair loss treatment nor will there ever be a cure. So I'm not quick to scoff at reputable doctors who are making REAL efforts to understand potential treatments, no matter what they are.

Bill

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Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

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To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

Hey Bill....yeah....very reasonable. All your points valid and valuable. Just don't want anyone to think that the LASER COMB is a new product that is waiting on results. For most of us it is old news, nothing good in the way of results and some shady past practices to get in the public eye.

My final point on the matter is on to bigger and better things, alternatives and maybe just good old fashioned skilled labor.

I agree...the lasercomb has been around for a long time. To be honest, IMO, I'm very uncomfortable with the fact that something that's been around for so long has only NOW just become FDA approved. JoTronic, another member of our community and employee of Hasson and Wong posted a very educational (and alarming) thread about FDA approval for medical devices. The link can be found here: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.co...d.php?t=154259.

Thanks for the debate

Bill

__________________
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

View our hair loss articles on EZineArticles.com

Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Subscribe to our Newsletters | How We Recommend Physicians

-----

To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

I would question the opinion of some doctors on their take on the lasers to some extent. One doctor who promotes lasers is a paid consultant and apparently charges over 1000 dollars per hour to speak with the companies etc.People should be asking how much money these docs are being paid? Is there a conflict of interest?
The fact is that the 510K approval is based on a previous device and to my knowledge no new claims were made compared to the previous device. According to Dr Walter Unger the previous device was allowed to state that it "promoted hair growth'
My understanding is that the lasers MAY be as effective as Rogaine
Low level light lasers have been shown to have some effect on wound healing but the data on hair growth is scant to some extent. At the same time I am impressed by the commitment of the Hair Max comb company to try to ascertain the possible biologic mechanism of action.I believe that Michael who own Lexington is sincere in his belief in the laser.
Hypotheses that affects on ATP seem questionable. How can 15 minutes of therapy cause a long lasting effect?. I believe that the mechanism is more likely associated with apoptosis (controlled cell death, if the lasers really work.
Also we need to be sure we are comparing apples to apples etc. Are the frequencies the same? Is the power generated the same?
We need to know if the longterm results hold up.
Studies of massage to the scalp show a TEMPORARY response in terms of hair growth.
Our approach needs to be open and scientific.

__________________
Paul T. Rose, MD, JD
President ISHRS
Board of Trustees ISCLS

Dr. Paul Rose is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians

Be fair to Dr. Unger. He unequivocally states on his website that he is in no way affiliated with laser comb. And that has been on his site well before FDA approval. And has told me personally many times that it was something he considers to be unproven and lacked any significant results. They tried to use a small portion of his review in an out of context manner as though he said it worked. Very unethical.

Paul Rose presents the best perspective on this debate- and that is, we clearly have a device that has, at best, some marginal efficacy. There is no debating that it is not the cure for hair loss. Furthermore, I find there to be a paucity of photos or patient testimonials adequately proving the efficacy of what is an expensive therapy.
There is a difference, a definite difference, between minoxidil and lasers, and that is the financial incentive for proprietors- whether physicians or non-medical hair clinics- to sell this technology. I have heard too many patients report that they were sold laser therapy as an additonal $1000 plus adjuvant therapy to their hair transplant. According to a patient who consulted with me, the clinic with whom he had his hair transplant told him that the reason he did not get full growth from a hair transplant was because he did not comply with the post-procedure laser therapy regime that cost somewhere around $1000. In addition, these lasers are promoted to physicans and hair clinics as "profit centers"- making me question the motives of those who provide them to patients. I am not saying the device doesn't work- only that we need more evidence before we elevate the expectations of our patients who pay all this money.

Science commands objective analysis- which all too often is thwarted by financial incentives. Almost all reputable scientific meetings and journals require authors/presenters to reveal any financial incentive he/she has with a specific technology. This allows the listener/reader to put the information provided in perspective. This is not to accuse any doctor of being disreputable - only that it puts the entire situation in focus.

I can provide my financial relationships with companies: none.

__________________
My Coalition Membership Profile

Case closed.

Dr Epstien, can I copy your post and post it elsewhere?

This debate is going on in several forums.

Thanks,
J

__________________
Go Cubs!

6721 transplanted grafts
13,906 hairs
Performed by Dr. Ron Shapiro

Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Paul Shapiro are members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

Dr. Epstein,

I appreciate your take on LLLT. I, too, share a similar stance: it could work, but it is sold at a great mark-up (as it is basically a bunch of laser pointers focused on your scalp or one laser pointer and a bunch of plastic mirrors attached to a comb).

What I have said and continue to say is that I believe that LLLT COULD have some benefit, but I want a LOT more information and studies to be done and I think it is horrible to sell this unproven therapy at this kind of mark-up.

I guess I am saying that I believe all things are possible, but I will question all things.