HairMax: I’ve Been Scammed!

I am one of the millions of individuals who is desperate to find ways to solve the growing condition of hair loss. I have tried various products that 'claim' to effectively help fight hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth. I've been constantly active in forums, online communities, social networking sites and blogs which deal with hair loss and its treatments.

One day, I came across a forum discussing a hair loss treatment (HairMax LaserComb) that claims to effectively stimulate hair regrowth. Upon reading various comments from members, I found out that there were more negative comments than positive ones.

Out of curiosity, I began reading the arguments and counter arguments of different individuals. At first, I was basically confused as to 'whom' I should believe. I mean there are different sides to every story and we are all aware that the internet can be a good place to sell stuff, advertise or even do a black propaganda.

It is possible that the positive comments were from those individuals who sell the product. It is also possible that the comments and feedbacks were from people who were paid by the company to gain internet popularity or to tempt others to buy their products, thereby accumulating greater sales. On the other hand, it might also be possible that the negative comments were given by individuals who have experienced bad results when they used the product. I mean what would they get if they would post negative comments regarding a product? Unless of course if they are just certified skeptics or plainly troublemakers.

So I figured out that they probably gave these negative comments due to the fact that they have experienced the product (HairMax LaserComb) firsthand. Usually, those people who have bad experiences about something end up voicing their frustrations publicly in order to help others be aware that a certain product should be avoided or that a product they are about to purchase can generate negative effects.

With that argument reaching greater hypes in the forum, I began spending a great amount of time surfing the internet to read other blogs and forums about the HairMax LaserComb. I visited forums and online communities that talk about the HairMax LaserComb. I was amazed to find various negative comments about its ineffectiveness to stimulate hair regrowth. The negative comments are far too many compared to those who commented on the positive side.
After reading everything, I told myself not to buy this particular hair regrowth product because it would only mean a waste of my time, effort and money.

Indeed, I am among those individuals who are very anxious to find a product to help me get rid of my hair loss. However, I am not among those individuals who are not wise enough to choose a product that is not worthwhile.

Why would I put my trust on a product which has earned negative reviews on the internet? When I can spend my time, effort and money on other products which can really help me stop my hair loss. Really, I won't settle for anything less when it comes to saving my hair and stopping my hair loss.

Source : HairMax: I’ve Been Scammed

The HairMax LaserComb’s Misleading Advertising Strategy

HairMax first caught my attention while I was looking for a hair loss treatment that would help me stop my balding condition. Among the products on the market, the HairMax LaserComb ‘claims’ that they are the ‘only FDA-approved’ laser device for treating hair thinning and stimulating hair regrowth.

When I saw the word ‘FDA-approved’, it made me think of trying out the product because it might effectively regrow my hair. As a consumer, I was convinced to buy the product; hence, I paid out $500 to get hold of this so-called hair growth device.

When I received the package a couple of days later, I was very excited to use it as part of my hair loss treatment regimen. However, my excitement turned to frustration when in the 4-month period of my treatment I still wasn’t able to see any improvement.

With that, I began to search for consumer reviews about the HairMax LaserComb. During my research, I have read tons of comments, some of them are positive and others are negative, some even reacted that HairMax LaserComb is not at all effective—as it claims to be. I also discovered something interesting posted in a forum. One of the users found out a report from the FDA about the HairMax LaserComb.

‘The FDA Granted Class II Clearance 510(k) K103368 of these medical devices for sale in the USA for the “Treatment of Hair Loss and Promotion of Hair Growth” in males’.

If you are considering buying the HairMax LaserComb, you should read the FDA report first. There are beliefs that Lexington International, LLC—manufacturer of the HairMax LaserComb—is using misleading advertising strategies to convince the consumers that the product has the support of the FDA that their product can effectively regrow hair.

The truth is, FDA does not grant ‘approval’ on a product based on a 510(k) submission, it only CLEARS the product for marketing. It is, therefore, NOT LEGAL to advertise a 510(k) cleared device as ‘FDA-approved’.

Based on that statement, HairMax is only permitted to be advertised or marketed as a product intended to grow hair. However, the FDA did not state that the product is EFFECTIVE in hair regrowth. An FDA-Approved or Premarket Approval (PMA) submission is used to demonstrate to the FDA that a new or modified device is SAFE and EFFECTIVE. This standard is higher than is required for 510(k) submissions.

With that, we can arrive at a conclusion that the HairMax LaserComb is ‘cleared’—not ‘approved’—as a product that may be promoted to treat thinning hair and that any other laser device on the market could apply for the same ‘approval’ and the FDA would undoubtedly offer the same rights.

When I read this report, I began to wonder if the HairMax LaserComb is indeed effective to stimulate hair regrowth. I mean with the 4-month hair treatment period that I have undergone, surely if a product is effective, I could have seen some positive result no matter how small, right?

Source : The HairMax LaserComb’s Scam Misleading Advertising Strategy

Hair Loss Tips from a Trichologist

‘If you can find the cause of hair loss, you can do something about it and perhaps help to reintroduce it (the hair), although that isn’t always the case’, trichologist Katie Philips shares.

Today baldness is still heavily connected with men, but when women suffer from hair loss, it seems that society does not always know how to help them.

After a thorough assessment, Katie’s help for clients can range from scalp treatments to vitamin advice and even wigs or hair extensions as short-term solutions.

Katie commented, ‘Some people say women now have a far more stressful life, I don’t know if that is true but women in business can be under stress; some people believe that can lead to hair loss. There are so many reasons now but I think there are a lot of people who don’t do anything about it’.

The connection between hair loss and diet is also often not widely understood, according to Katie.

She said, ‘Vitamins are widely important, you can take a vitamin but if you don’t have the right combination, then it can lead to problems’.

One obstacle to sufferers can be the dizzying array of hair loss solutions advertised through the media. Katie is quick to emphasise, that although people may sometimes find the solution this way, often certain products will not work if there is an underlying issue which needs to be identified.

She said, ‘There may be something people can buy at the chemist but the cause could be something they are taking already.

‘Blood tests are really important too. A lack of ferritin (a protein which stores iron in the body) will affect hair loss.

‘Hair loss can be stress related, linked to vitamins and health, even something like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) can affect the absorption of nutrients. Then there are health changes like menopause and a change in weight range you need to consider; perhaps someone will be suffering from anorexia or have been on a diet; even losing something like three stones very quickly can cause hair loss’.

Minoxidil for Male Hair Loss: Is It Effective and Safe?

When it comes to a hair loss treatment for men, there’s nothing quite like minoxidil. Minoxidil is the first and only FDA-approved hair regrowth foam. It contains 5 percent minoxidil and in clinical testing, minoxidil regrew hair in 85 percent of men after four months when used twice daily. And because it’s a foam, there is no hassle and no mess. It goes on easy and dries quickly, so your daily routine is never interrupted.

What Causes Hair Loss in Men?

Although there are several causes of hair loss, male pattern baldness (also referred to as androgenetic alopecia or hereditary hair loss) accounts for about 95 percent of hair loss in men. It is usually triggered by a combination of hormonal activity and heredity, which together cause the hair follicles in your scalp to shrink. Over time, the progressive shrinking of certain scalp follicles leads to a shortening of the hair’s growing cycle. Hair becomes thinner and shorter, until there is no growth at all. The active ingredient in minoxidil reinvigorates shrunken hair follicles, which increases their size and helps regrow thicker hair over time.

A Pioneer in Hair Regrowth

Like many great discoveries, the power of minoxidil to regrow hair came about by chance. In the 1980s, scientists discovered that minoxidil, being studied for other indications, actually showed signs of regrowing hair.

Minoxidil applied this discovery to produce the first topical hair loss treatment approved by the FDA to regrow hair. Since then, minoxidil has empowered millions of people to take control of their hair loss with a series of breakthroughs.

Results and Innovation

Minoxidil is the first topical treatment approved by the FDA to regrow hair in both men and women. With more than 20 years of results and over 20,000 people in clinical trials, minoxidil is the number one dermatologist-recommended solution for hair regrowth. Minoxidil helps reverse the progression of hereditary hair loss.

Drawbacks

Although proven to be very effective in stopping hair loss in men, it has also been reported that the application of minoxidil causes negative systemic effects such as swelling of the face, severe itchiness of the scalp, and trigger for rashes and allergies.

Hair Loss in Men: Remedies and Risks

Drugs frequently prescribed to treat hair loss or an enlarged prostate may contribute to sexual dysfunction in men. Use of dutasteride and finasteride has been linked to erectile dysfunction, depression and loss of libido in a review of existing studies.

Finasteride and dutasteride have been approved for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms with marked clinical efficacy. Finasteride comes in a pill form that can effectively lower DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels in the scalp, hence stopping hair loss and preventing baldness from spreading throughout the scalp. Finasteride is also approved for the treatment of hair loss (androgenic alopecia). Although the adverse effects of these agents are thought to be minimal, the magnitude of adverse effects on sexual function, gynecomastia, depression, and quality of life remains ill-defined.

To look into the potential persistent side effects of finasteride and dutasteride on sexual functions among men, researchers searched the available medical literature for reports of sexual side effects associated with finasteride and dutasteride.

It was found that about 8 percent of men taking the drugs reported erectile dysfunction, and 4 percent reported reduced libido compared with 4 percent and almost 2 percent of men receiving placebo, respectively. Reduced ejaculation and semen volume and depression were also reported by some men.

The drugs, prescribed to treat a common urological condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and baldness, work by blocking the male hormone androgen. In patients with BPH, this helps reduce the enlarged prostate, making urination easier.

The findings show that use of drugs used to treat hair loss and enlarged prostrate may lead to side effects on sexual function such as erectile dysfunction, diminished libido, testicular pains, enlargement and tenderness of breast, and low sperm count.

Hence, although these drugs have been proven to remedy baldness or alopecia, they pose long-term harm to the body of men.

Treatment Tips for Hair Loss

Natural hair loss treatment is one of the best options for treating hair loss problems. Using natural products as a remedy for hair loss may not only be effective for this type of problem, it can also save you a lot of money from buying commercial products. Natural hair loss treatment uses products and materials that can be easily found in your residence or they can be easily bought at nearby supermarkets so they are convenient to obtain too. In addition, if they are not effective for you, you do not have to be anxious about their side effects because they are minimal.

The simplest hair loss treatment that you can administer is utilizing natural, plant-based shampoo and conditioner for your hair. Regular shampoos that are bought on the supermarket contain harsh chemicals that damage the hair roots and further cause hair loss. Switching to an all-natural shampoo and conditioner allows you to nourish your hair without having to worry about its negative effects since they are milder. However, be more careful in choosing all-natural hair products if you have skin allergies as it can further aggravate your hair loss problems.

A longer-term solution is to have a healthy diet, eating food full of vitamins for hair growth . Vitamins A, C and E are all essential for maintaining a healthy head of hair.

Another natural hair loss treatment that you can use is massaging your scalp on a regular basis. Massaging your scalp three times a week will encourage hair growth. You can utilize coconut oil, mustard oil, castor oil, and almond oil when massaging your scalp since they are also effective hair growth stimulants. You may also rub your scalp after you have taken a bath or washing your hair. These methods enhance the blood flow to the scalp and activate the sebaceous glands, which will then rejuvenate the hair.

The final natural hair loss treatment that you can do is making a paste out of natural ingredients which is then put on the scalp in order to stimulate hair growth. You can try out different variations of this paste. You can make use of hot olive oil combined with honey and cinnamon. Ground lime seeds with black pepper, pigeon pea, coconut oil mixed with lime juice, black beans combined with fenugreek, and licorice.

7 Steps to Stop Hair Loss

In fact, nearly half of all middle-aged women will experience some degree of hair loss. Menopause can cause changes in a woman’s body which can cause her to shed hair in clumps. A lot of people spend a fortune on a variety of hair regrowth products. Some of them work better than others and it’s probably dependent on the person using it and how his body responds to these products. Nonetheless, those who have no intention of digging into their pockets shouldn’t lose all hope.

1. A good massage of the scalp promotes blood circulation in the area and thus more nutrients are supplied to the hair roots. Moreover, the dead skin cells that block the scalp pores are eliminated. Thus, the rate of hair growth increases. Move the tips of your fingers all over the scalp in gentle circular motions for at least five minutes daily.

2. Eating a diet that is rich in protein (lean meat) and getting enough iron so that you don’t become anemic is essential for healthy hair and will also help prevent hair loss. Altmedicine.about.com recommends eating the skins of cucumbers, red and green peppers and potatoes because the skins are rich in silica, a mineral that is crucial in maintaining your hair and the health of your hair.

3. Olive oil is probably one of the most effective home remedies when it comes to regrowing lost hair. This has also become very popular because of its accessibility; most homes will have a bottle of olive oil in the kitchen. If not, you can drop by any grocery or convenience store and purchase a small bottle. Not only does olive oil improve the scalp’s overall condition, but it also has the ability to reduce hair loss. After washing your hair, apply a couple of drops on your scalp and immediately, you will be able to see the difference.

4. Biotin is one of the most important and effective vitamins for treating and stopping alopecia problems. Biotin is required by your body to build strong and healthy hair. Foods like eggs, cereals and brewer’s yeast as well as malt-made foods are good sources of biotin. Alternatively, you can also take a good nutrition supplement that contains biotin.

5. Dirt and debris on the scalp surface often block skin pores on the scalp and is responsible for slowing down the hair growth process. The best way to regrow hair naturally is by cleansing the scalp regularly with a good quality organic shampoo. Those shampoos that have aloe vera and mint are suitable for fast growth of healthy hair.

6. Essential oils are not only integral ingredients in bath salts and lotions, as well as for aromatherapy purposes, they also have therapeutic value and are believed to enhance hair growth. One natural treatment for alopecia (hair loss) consists of mixing essential oil of thyme, lavender and cedarwood (three drops each) with one-eighth cup of grapeseed oil and then apply a couple of drops to your hair and scalp, particularly the thinning and balding areas, and massage for a few minutes. Do this every night and in a few months’ time you should see some improvement in your hair’s volume.

7. One home remedy that does seem to be effective for a lot of people is the use of red henna. You can smear the red henna on your scalp and then massage it for fifteen to twenty minutes. Before washing it off, leave it on for an hour or two to maximize its effect. Don’t worry if your hair turns red; you can easily wash it off once you get in the shower.