The HairMax Laser Comb is designed to work for androgenetic alopecia – or male pattern baldness. This is the most common type of baldness in men, even though there could be other medical reasons why you are losing your hair.

Specifically, the laser comb should be used to treat those with male pattern baldness with Norwood Hamilton Classifications of IIa-V and Fitzpatrick Skin Types I to IV. So – what does this actually mean and how do you know if your hair loss and skin fall into those classifications?

First of all, there were two doctors, a Norwood and a Hamilton who are credited with contributing to the classification system. In the 1950’s, Hamilton defined certain patterns of baldness as frontal and frontotemporal (i.e. receding hairline) recession and vortex thinning (i.e. bald spot on your crown). Then in the 1970’s Norwood added on to this by creating a classification system of Hamilton’s patterns of hair loss based on severity.

Type I is basically a normal hairline, even though there may be a slighting receding hairline in the frontotemporal region. Type II is slight recession on the frontal temporal areas. This is where you can start to see the classic “m” shaped that defines male pattern baldness.

Type III is when there is the minimum amount of hair loss needed to be considered baldness. Type III classification consists of hair loss only in the vortex, or crown, region.

Types IV-VII consists of a receding hairline and a bald spot. The severity increases as the classification progresses until there is complete baldness and no hair in between the hairline and the crown (Type VII)

Basically, you can just look at your hair and decide how your hair loss is classified. As you can see, the laser comb is intended for people with moderate hair loss. The laser comb probably will not help you if you have minimal hair loss or severe hair loss.

Fitzpatrick skin type is a similar classification system to determine what type of skin you have. There are six categories ranging from pale skinned people to dark skinned people. It is not just how your skin looks that determines your classification but also how your skin reacts to sunlight. Answer the questions on this simple questionnaire to see what skin type you are.

People with higher Fitzpatrick classification tend to be darker skinned. They are darker skinned because they produce more melanin than lighter skinned people. It may seem counter-intuitive but it is recommended that people with Fitzpatrick skin types of V or VI do not use laser therapy because of this. They could produce enough melanin to have permanent scarring or discoloration.

Hair loss in men can be caused by several factors.  Understanding why your hair is thinning is the first step to fixing the problem.  Once you recognize the underlying source of your hair loss, then you can address the issue accurately.

There are some things you should look for first if you start to lose your hair.  There are some situations that can cause hair loss that are temporary or can be fixed.  If you recently have had surgery or a major illness, the stress on your body can cause temporary hair loss.  However, once you have recovered your hair will start growing back as it did before.

 Some medications can cause hair loss as well.  Antidepressants and birth control pills are common medications that cause hair loss in some people.  Another obvious medication are ones used during chemotherapy cancer treatments.  Additionally, blood thinners, gout treatments, and excessive vitamin A can call cause hair loss.  The good news is, once you stop taking the medication your hair will grow back to normal. 

 There are diseases and infections that can result in hair loss as well.  You could get a fungal infection of the scalp that would cause hair loss.  Additionally, hormone imbalances can cause hair loss.  Male and female hormone imbalances, thyroid problems, and pregnancy are all situations where hormones can cause hair loss.

 The good news with all of these types of hair loss is that the thinning hair is just a symptom of a treatable issue.  However, the most common type of hair loss in men is Androgenetic alopecia; or male pattern baldness. 

 The cause of male pattern baldness is not 100% figured out.  It is known that genetics and hormones are involved.  That is why there are some successful treatments out there for it, but no “cures”.

 This is an interesting article that goes in depth about how the hormones affect hair growth and hair loss in men.  However, hormones are not always the only issue.  The other main cause of male-pattern baldness are genetics.

 There have been some large studies that seem to indicate that male-pattern baldness is a recessive gene on the X chromosome that is passed down on the maternal side.  Chances are, if you are young and experience male-pattern baldness it is because you inherited it.

 So can you treat baldness?  Obviously, for some people you can.  There are many treatments out there such as the laser comb and Rogaine.  These treatments vary from hormone therapies, follicle treatments, and phototherapy with a laser comb.  The first step to finding the right treatment is to determine exactly what your cause of baldness is.

It appears that the LaserComb is not FDA approved for hair growth and it has not been proven to work with peer-reviewed research.  Does it work?  Maybe, I think the jury is still out.  However, I would take the FDA approval marketing scheme with a grain of salt.  Be aware that the approval is based on safety, not necessarily effectiveness.  
The Hairmax LaserComb is a product that is developed by Lexington International, LLC. 
Here is a brief summary about what the LaserComb can be used for, and if it really works.   The HairMax LaserComb is a Laser Photo Therapy (LPT), medical device to treat androgenetic alopecia in males.
Ok, so what is LPT?  According to Wikipedia,
“devices are sold that use a low level laser shone directly on the scalp with the intent to stimulate hair growth through “Photo-Biostimulation” of the hair follicles. One product of these low level laser therapies is the Hairmax Lasercomb. There is some debate over the FDA’s acknowledgment of the Lasercomb.[24] Under the looser standards applicable to medical devices, the HairMax LaserComb was cleared by the FDA as being “substantially equivalent” to predicate devices legally marketed before May 28, 1978. The devices that the lasercomb proved itself equivalent to were a variety of FDA approved non hair growth/laser based devices intended for hair removal and pain relief, and two non FDA approved non laser based/hair growth devices such as the Raydo & Wonder Brush and the Vacuum Cap. These last two devices were sold in the early 1900s and are well established as medical quackery, but they were legal to market at the time which does satisfy the FDA’s minimal 510k SE criteria. The 510k number for the Lasercomb is K060305.”
None of these claims have been substantiated by peer-reviewed evidence.
So what is androgenetic alopecia?  This is male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic “M” shape. Hair also thins at the crown of the head, often progressing to partial or complete baldness.
Here is the bottom line on what exactly the LaserComb is.  It is a device that is FDA approved as “substantially equivilant” to devices that were not intended for hair growth.  Additionally, it is intended for males suffering from male-pattern baldness and not any other type of hair loss issues.

It appears that the device is not FDA approved for hair growth and it has not been proven to work with peer-reviewed research.  Does it work?  Maybe, I think the jury is still out.  However, I would take the FDA approval marketing scheme with a grain of salt.  Be aware that the approval is based on safety, not necessarily effectiveness.