Alternative Approaches to Treating Hair Loss
LASERCOMB employs a low-level laser therapy technology that has been in use for several years to accelerate healing and hair growth after hair transplant surgery. It returned to the spotlight in February 2007 as Lexington International got its own miniaturised version named HairMax LaserComb approved by the FDA for the promotion of hair growth. There are other laser combs on the market that are less expensive than Lexington International’s HairMax and which claim to be as effective, but none of them has been approved by the FDA for promoting hair growth. LaserComb is said to work by dilating blood vessels and increasing the blood supply to hair follicles, thus encouraging hair to grow. There is some discussion of the quality of scientific data of the clinical study. No reliable independent research has been done yet to confirm the study results claimed by Lexington International. Despite this uncertainty the fact remains that it is only the third FDA-approved hair loss treatment and one that seems to be very safe.
SCALP EXERCISE was developed and promoted by a lifelong hair loss researcher, T. Hagerty. This exercise is accomplished by the alternating contraction of the facial muscles. According to its creator, it quickens the blood flow to the scalp area, strengthens the walls of the capillaries that nourish the hair follicles and increases the flexibility and elasticity of the whole scalp. These three things should halt the shrinking of the hair follicles and even reverse the shrinking process, which in turn should halt hair loss and promote the growth of new hair. Doing this difficult exercise for a minimum of 10 minutes daily requires a high degree of obsession with one’s hair. Nonetheless, it is one of many unproven hair loss remedies that probably will not work but which does not cost anything but the time and effort.