My name is Dong Ngo, and I am not LaserComb-friendly

Almost two months ago, I said I would personally try the HairMax LaserComb to see if it worked. Try it I did. Did it work? Not so much.

Since the blog was posted, I have received multiple e-mails from CNET readers asking if I would personally recommend the product.

This guy might not look so confident, but he actually is.

(Credit: Erick Franklin/CNET Networks)

My quick answer is no. And there are a couple of reasons.

First, it is expensive (I have the Premium edition of the comb that costs $545), yet feels very cheap. The whole comb's chassis is made out of third-rate-looking plastic.

During the course of using the device, sometimes when I turned it off, a high pitched mosquito-like noise still came out of it. (This could be good news, as it means I am not too old, but that's a different story entirely.) I then would need to unplug the comb from the wall for the noise to go off. I am not sure if the noise is a feature or a defect, but it sure was annoying.

Second, it doesn't seem to work. I left the comb plugged in at my desk and used it almost every workday, except for one week in September, when I worked in the New York office for four days. When it was on my head--supposedly stimulating the follicles and making the hair grow thicker and fuller--I did feel a little sensation at the spot where it passed by, possibly from the laser beams.

It was really a painless experience and pretty convenient. It almost became a habit when I needed to talk on the phone or watched a clip of CNETTV. My hair has been mainly thinning in the front, and the result? It was like that three months ago, and it still is now. My colleague, Eric Franklin, said he saw no difference.

Last but not least, I believe it's a misconception that your hair should affect your confidence. It shouldn't, at least for men, though that is what companies that make hair-treating products sure want you to believe. Hey, I would love to have my hair back to what it was when I was in my early 20s. It is how it is now, however, and come check me out on the Inside CNET Labs podcast if you ever want to question my manliness.

At least this little device helped me realize I should just come to terms with how I am made to look. Confidence is what you, not your LabserComb, make of it. That lesson was a small price to pay, considering I got to use the gadget for free.

[robertorosco]

hairGrowth = (Minoxidil + (Finasteride or Dutasteride));
Plain and simple.

I honestly believe that the only success one would experience with laser therapy is retaining their current hair count. I really wish men wouldnt give up the fight. I guess the main thing here is if you are truly happy with the way you are.

[ServedUp]

It actually works best in people who initially start to lose their hair, from what I've understood from this product. I'n not endorsing the product by any means but you have to wonder why the FDA approved it in the first place.

Its a pain staking process, but does this mean your giving up on the product? Three months doesn't seem to be a very long time at all and it seems you've been losing your hair for a long time Don.

[sinerasis]

Good for you! This is the first negative review I've ever seen on CNET (that doesn't mean there aren't others).

Kudos.

You look good bald by the way (just shave it and go pick up the ladies at the bar).

[7aji88]

All of these companies try to sell us their products to grow hair back, lose weight, or something else that they try to shake our confident with. Will I say to hell with them. As long as I don't care about that, I'll be able to focus on the more important things in my life and so everyone else should do.
good for you Don :)

[ServedUp]

Why not try it for a full year and see what happens? I hear you can do it while you watch TV. Whats the big deal you already spent $700 on it. I say don't give up on it. Its comb. How hard is it to comb your hair for few minutes?

[LexingtonInt]

Thank you for taking the time to evaluate the HairMax LaserComb and for posting your initial (almost 2 month) results on the blog.

However, using a product or device to evaluate hair growth or cessation of hair loss ?less than 2 months? is neither realistic nor reasonable. A hair product needs to be evaluated for at least 5-6 months for a fair assessment.

Moreover, it appears as if you maintain a buzz cut for your hair style. It would have been helpful if you let you hair grow a bit to evaluate what effects the HairMax LaserComb would have had on the condition, quality and manageability of your hair as these are also potential benefits.

The HairMax is manufactured in the U.S. using quality materials under strict, ISO Quality Assured, standards. Furthermore, since the HairMax LaserComb has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to market, we manufacture the device in accordance to the government?s own mandated quality standards and inspections. We can assure you that the HairMax LaserComb uses only the finest materials and electronics in the device?s manufacture to assure a long, trouble-free life span of at least ten years.

To address the issue of the efficacy of the HairMax LaserComb, it is important to understand the positive results that were found in the key clinical trial conducted to measure the efficacy of the device. The trial design was reviewed and approved by an Investigational Review Board (IRB) that assured that the study complied with GCP?s (Good Clinical Practices). Over 160 individuals with hereditary hair loss were evaluated into the study at five research centers. The study was 26 weeks in duration evaluating the change in hair counts and overall hair regrowth.

Results of the study showed that subjects in the HairMax group had significantly greater increases in mean terminal hair density (+19.8 hairs/cm2) than subjects in the sham group (-7.60 hairs/cm2). Subjects in the HairMax group also had significantly better subjective assessments of overall hair regrowth than subjects in the sham group.

Theses results provided conclusive proof that in this well controlled study, the HairMax was effective in regrowing hair on those subjects assigned to the device.

When all is said and done though, the final measurement of satisfaction is the fact over 95% of all people who have bought the HairMax LaserComb, kept the device for use. This spans over 7 years that the device has been marketed with our liberal money back guarantee

Lexington collaborates with leading hair researchers and clinics across the world. What we?ve found is that the experts who actively use and/or recommend the HairMax LaserComb have become enthusiastic about the device?s efficacy; those who have not remain unconvinced.

This seems to be the same issue we encounter with non-users of the HairMax LaserComb who are quick to complain that the device is ineffective, but are unwilling to give the device a chance to work by using the HairMax for the proper length of time.

The HairMax LaserComb has been on the market since 2001, and one of the key factors in marketing a medical device is user experiences. We believe the HairMax LaserComb has one of the highest levels of customer satisfaction of any hair treatments. In addition to positive changes in hair growth, the quality, condition, tensile strength and manageability of the hair is enhanced. `If HairMax was not at all effective the device would be in the archives of snake oil remedies by now.

We encourage you to make a fair/realistic assessment of the HairMax LaserComb device. We would also suggest speaking with noted physicians & experts in the field of hair restoration who have experience using lasers to treat hair loss to gauge and include a professional?s perspective.

As a recognized product evaluator writing on behalf of a credible ethical web site we urge you to be cautious in your evaluations. We recommend that you apply a professional standard to them as not doing so is a disservice to your readers.

Sincerely,

Lexington Int LLC