rp1979

Just updated my weblog and photo album with my results at 12 months.

I'm very happy with the results and highly recommend Dr. Cooley.

Thanks again to everyone for the support!

RP

Well written piece as always, Jason, with great photos depicting your amazing transformation.

Congrats and thanks again!

Cheers,

-RP

Janna, Jason, JOBI and Bill,

Thanks for the comments! Hope you're all doing well.

Just wanted to add that for me the "cosmetic change" started to come about after the 6th month mark.

Hi all,

It's been a while that I've posted. How's everyone doing? Just been really busy with my last semester of grad school to really worry about hair . Well, it's been 7 months now since I've had my procedure with Dr. Cooley and I'm very happy with the results so far. At this point, I feel that I look better than I did pre-HT (what do you think?) so it was all worth it. Once again I'd like to thank Dr. Cooley, who I whole-heartedly recommend!

Here are my results at the 7th months mark after 2700 grafts (5100 hairs). I welcome your comments. Thanks.

I think being on finasteride a year prior and after your HT as well as tranplanting at a lower density will reduce shock loss, but there is no guarantee that it will not be noticeable. The harsh reality is plan on having some noticeable temporary shock loss and go from there. Perhaps, try to hide the shock loss with concealers like dermmatch/toppik.

Originally posted by spoon:

I wish I had started on finasteride earlier. Like say when I was a teenager. Or a child. Oh hell someone should have put it in my formula when I was an infant.

Something to think about when I have my first son...

Benihana, in my opinion if you:

1). don't have signifcant miniturization elsewere beside the hairline

2). acknowledge the fact that you might need more work further down the line

3). commited to taking medication to halt/slow down further loss

4). definitely decided that the shave look is not for you

then I say go for it. Dr. Rahal is an ethical doctor. Have a great transplant!

Bill, I have a question. If this guy had significant hairloss at the age of 26 do you think he would have been a better candidate?

Originally posted by nobuzz4me:

RP1979,

 

I question the FDA, remember Vioxx?

Reassuring right? Knowing that the maker of Vioxx (Merck) is also the maker of Propecia and Proscar LOL

You bring up a good example though. Yes the FDA is not perfect but it has a very good track record IMO.

But let's not lose sight of why the FDA, a Federal body established indirectly by us as citizens of this great country, is there.....It is there to protect us.

BTW how's your HT coming along? Did you know that your doc, Dr. Vogel trained my HT doc?

I was just trying to reiterate my opinion that scientific proof verified by the FDA should be the first and most important criteria before we can even begin to look at what you referred to as public evidence.

The fact still remains that the FDA ACCEPTED the clinical trial performed by Hairmax. We can question all we want about the validity of that trial but to do so we would be questioning the FDA's acceptance of it.

Like I said earlier, I don't think it's fair to call it a scam like snake oil and I feel comfort in telling peole that if you think lasers work buy one. If not, don't.

.

Originally posted by Bill:

I feel that visual proof (what I call public evidence) is more substantial than scientific documentation.

You think that "public evidence" is more substantial than scientific documentation?

Are you saying that we need "a lot" of people posting pics of themselves before we can come to a conclusion of anything?

I mean should we be weeding through Internet forums looking for pics to see if viagra works?

Sorry I just don't understand that logic, perhaps you can further elaborate.

No one in their right minds would pop a pill without seeing some scientific documentation/evidence *first* verified by the FDA.

Think about it. If there were no scientific documentations in the FIRST place about propecia what would make people take it? Unverified pics on the Internet?!

Originally posted by Bill:

But there is evidence that suggests that 510(k) clearance is only about safety and "substantial equivalence"

Now, to address your concerns about the validity of the 510(k) clearance. What you posted was accurate but doesn't tell the whole story.

So that people won't use the "substantial equivalence" accusation against them, Hairmax conducted a clinical trial that the FDA accepted here:

Satino JL, Markou M. Hair regrowth and increased hair tensile strength using the HairMax LeserComb for Low-level laser therapy. Int J Cosm Surg and Aesthetic Derm, 2003; 5(2):113-117.

If you go read that, you will see that it was a 6 months clinical trial in 4 US sites where 93% of the paticipants age 30-60 had an increase in the number of terminal hairs by the end of that trial.

The reason why Hairmax didn't go for pre-market approval is because it wasn't worth it for them. Kinda like how dutasteride wasn't worth it for GSK.

So the next question you might ask is where are the trialist pics of those participants in the Hairmax clinical trial? Well, we don't have them and that is what Jacob is trying to articulate....we don't have them for propecia or rogaine either.

.

Originally posted by Bill:

I'm simply a hair loss sufferer demanding proof of its efficacy.

 

See "efficacy" is really the operative word here.

Well first of all, do you agree that we must first see scientific proof before we can even begin to look at public proof posted on the forums?

If so, I really want someone to explain these points to me then:

1). The Hairmax lasercomb has obtained 510(k) clearance by the FDA.

2). In order to obtain 510(k) clearance the company MUST submit both safety and EFFICACY data. (You can read about 510k clearance on the web)

3). So the question boils downs to do we trust the FDA's judgement on "efficacy" for the Hairmax lasercomb? If not, should we be analyzing/questioning and reading the fine prints of all FDA products we use?

Again I personally don't own a laser comb since I don't feel it's worth it for me. But I don't think it's fair to call it a "scam" like snake oil. That would imply that the FDA is a fraudulent organization.

.

Originally posted by YODA:

HEY RP1979.

 

I get all my drugs through the mail. No worries.

 

Japan Post is probably the best postal service in the world.

 

I have been here 14 yrs (in Osaka) and I have never missed a parcel.

 

Yes I am teaching English to the kids..very fun!

 

Give me your mail addres and I'll tell you where i get all my drugs from!

 

I don't think Bill likes us posting links to websites that get financial gain.

Cool. Just sent you a PM. Thanks.

?????©?????? ????????????????????? ?????’???????????? 

.

Originally posted by YODA:

I'm a kindergarten teacher in japan....I like to tinker with electronics..now tell me how the heck do i have a financial interest in giving away a laser comb that I made for FREE???

That's cool. Are you an English teacher there? How do the kids understand you?!

Funny thing that you bring up Japan... I'm actually going to be stationed there (at Fukuoka, Japan) for 6 months and I'm worried about how I'm going to get all my hair loss supplies such as finasteride, rogaine, nizoral etc.. I guess I can bring some along but can you buy them in the stores there? I mean how are you getting your Dr. Lee's minox and Dutas? Are they being shipped from the US?

Oh just curious, I love tinkering with stuff too being an engineer... How did you learn how to build a lasercomb? How much did all the parts cost? Is there a site that you can go to that will teach you? I might rig one up just for the fun of it...

Originally posted by pushing 40:

That's weird. My hair was exactly opposite; the hairs on the back and sides were VERY much thicker than those on top.

I was actually going to say the same thing. Where in the back did you specifically pluck it from?

Thanks for posting those links. They were very helpful.

A lot of those links are from Hairlosstalk (HLT). Do you post there as well?

What's HTN affiliation with HLT? Seems like the coalition doctors are being advertised there.

Are the info on HLT endorsed by HTN as well as by you and Pat? If so, does it concern you that HLT is listing the lasercomb as one of the "proven" treatments here:

http://www.hairlosstalk.com/research/men/treatment1men.htm

.

Bill,

I think, generally speaking, what Jacob is trying to say is that if we are in agreement that finasteride and minoxidil are both unquestionable treatments for hair loss then let's do what you preach and ask why? If the answer is because there's a plethora of proofs and pics, then let's have a reality check and ask for the benefit for those who don't know: where specifically are they?

See what worries me is that dedicated members like BeHappy will post some pics and then people will start slamming him by saying things like:

-"Oh, but you're taking proscar also, that's not legit"

-"Oh, those photo are not high resolution enough"

-"Oh, your hairstyle is different, that's not a fair test"

etc etc etc

Then he would feel so overwhelmed by the accusations that it would not be worth anymore of his time defending himself. I agree with him, he doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. I mean it's pretty obvious that BeHappy is not an employee of Hairmax and he is saying that is has gotten good results. Shouldn't that opinion count for something? Kinda like how JOBI feels that Revita is worth the extra money over generic Nizoral. If you go to other forums that are more "hair loss regimen-oriented" versus "hairtransplant-oriented" like this one, they are many posters claiming that the treatment works for them. Are all these posters employees of Hairmax? Perhaps, I guess..

BeHappy, thanks for taking the time to document your results. Perhaps you can make the experiment as "controlled" as possible to silence all your critics.

I do not own a lasercomb since I feel it is not worth it for me but I've read the study from the FDA website as well as read the opinions of some of the other respected coalition/recommended doctors such Dr. Bernstein, Dr. Charles and Dr. Bauman who do not feel that the lasercomb is a complete scam. Thus, I just have to stand back for a sec and scratch my head.

I also applaud Dr. Feller for making some valid rebuttals so I think this is an area of legitimate disagreement.

I apologize for being presumptuous, but you have to look at the contituency of this forum where most people are at a more advanced stage of hairloss i.e. NW4+ and thus even minoxidil would have neglible impact on them let alone lasers.

There're some things photos cannot articulate clearly such as whether or not a particular treatment is slowing down hair loss or if it has any synergistic effects with other treatments.

Personally, I really don't think it's fair to call any FDA-approved products a "scam" and would not put the Hairmax lasercomb in the same category as products such as Nisim, Fabao 101D, Kevis, Hair Genesis, and Viviscal

which were truly designed to deceive people, IMO.

I mean some people are already forking out $50+ every few months on Nioxin shampoos and things like that which have not been scientifically proven to be any better than your average CVS shampoo so I just have a hard time understanding why paying a few hundred dollars one time fee for an FDA device approved to treat hair loss is so unacceptable.

This has been a long standing debate where both sides have made some valid points so I think NervousNelly has articulated things really well when he says:

"If you think that lasers work--buy one. If not, don't."

There was some initial negativity towards the ABHRS and some criticism still exists. Some feel that the term "Board" was not a good choice because the ABHRS is not an ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) recognized board. Perhaps "subspecialty certificate" would have been a better choice but at least "board certification" is a term that everyone understands. Examples of ABMS recognized boards are the American Board of Dermatology, the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The ABMS system involves a minimum three year residency program and a subsequent examination. In a residency program, faculty members can evaluate a candidate for three years or more prior to the examination process. Unfortunately, at the present time, there are no residency programs devoted to hair restoration that can train and produce a competent hair restoration surgeon. In addition, there are no ABMS boards with an examination dedicated to hair restoration. I should mention that meetings have taken place with the ABMS and the American Board of Dermatology to discuss board certification in hair restoration surgery that would be ABMS recognized. While this may never be achieved, initial discussions were encouraging and efforts towards this goal will continue.

Alluding to the points bolded in the above quotation:

What will it take to start a hair restoration residency program as well as an ABMS board with an examination devoted/dedicated to hair restoration?

At the present time, what ABMS-recognized medical specialty is "most" closely related to hair restoration according to the ABMS? The above quote seems to imply that it's Dermatology?

For me luckily, the donor scar pinkness was gone by around 2 months. I posted some pics of my scar in my weblog. I think in general it takes much longer for most people for the pinkness to go away.

its752,

yes I ordered some gentle copper peptide shampoo/conditioner from them to use after 5 days post-op, which I liked. However I did not order their spray. My HT doctor gave a custom post-op spray for me to use that contained copper peptides.

giants,

Perhaps what you can do first is to ask a doctor/dermatologist to check for miniturization in the frontal area where you are receding every 6 months or so. That should give some sort of an indicator of the severity of your hairloss and its rate.

Hey Mike,

I really don't think you need another HT at all... for now at least. Sorry to hear that you're experiencing some sides from the meds. Your hair looks great! Thanks for sharing your progress.

Anyways, just needed to ask. Is there really a suuplement called "Horny Goat Weed"? Where did you hear about that?

its752,

Try this place. The last item on the list:

http://www.skinbio.com/quickhairtransplants.html

Juan,

The fact that you see a bunch of baby hairs/peach fuzz is a good sign. If you are not already, perhaps you can use minoxidil to try to encourage growth. Furthermore, I've read that some patients don't see their full result until after 14 months post-op. Your attitude is a good one. Stay positive. Dr. Rose is a fine doctor and I'm sure he won't let you down.

I did an online consultation with Dr. Paul Rose and I was impress with his response to me. To tell you the truth, he was one of the top three doctors on my list when deciding about who to choose for my HT. This is what I like about Dr. Paul Rose:

1). Attention to detail on the hairline eg. selection of finer single hairs to be placed on the hairline.

2). Great reputation and results for donor trico closure where he trims the under edge vs. upper.

3). Great reputation for both Strip and FUE and in general technically fluent with a wide range of techniques/methodologies in his arsenal.

I mean if his clinic is just a step away from where you live, why not go for a free consultation? Good luck.