If you are considering investing a HairMax laser hair growth device, you'll want to make sure that it can help with your type of hair loss. We've taken a look at the specific types of hair loss that the HairMax laser devices can and can't help with.
Types of hair loss
HairMax laser devices are indicated for use by both men and women to treat the most common form of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia which is also known as hereditary hair loss, or male / female pattern balding / hair loss. This means that Hairmax laser devices can be successfully used to treat male and female pattern hair loss as well as hair loss or thinning hair caused by aging, menopause, post-partum, alopecia, hormonal changes or genetics.
The laser devices treat hair loss over the entire head, back, front, top and sides, unlike drugs that seem to work best only on the top of the head.
You are most likely to see success if you have mild to moderate hair loss or thinning, and are looking to regrow lost hair and help prevent further progression. The laser devices are not intended for people who have severe hair loss. Whilst HairMax laser devices can ‘awaken’ dormant hair follicles, once the hair follicle is no longer functioning, it cannot be revitalised. It is always best to start treatment at the first sign of hair loss, because the earlier you start, the better your results will be.
HairMax laser devices are not likely to be effective for treating alopecia areata or any of its variants.
HairMax laser devices will not prevent hair loss during chemotherapy and whilst there have been no clinical studies carried out on helping to return hair after chemotherapy, some individuals have used the devices in this regard and have reported some benefit.
Male and female pattern hair loss
The HairMax laser devices have been clinically proven to effectively and safely treat pattern hair loss and promote hair growth in both men and women. Users experience an average hair growth of 149 new hairs per square inch with results seen in 12 to 16 weeks.
Hair loss at all ages
Clinical studies have shown that HairMax laser devices are effective in both men and women 18 years or older, and that age is not a factor as to how they work. We recommend that if you want to use the device on an individual below the age of 18, you consult a doctor first.
Stages of hair loss
The different stages of hair loss can be categorised into the either the Norwood or Savin scale depending on gender. Male Pattern Baldness stages and patterns are seen in the Norwood scale, while Female Pattern Baldness is categorised in the Savin scale.
The pictures below show a representation of the Norwood and Savin scales. They show the specific classifications of hair loss studied in the clinical trials with the shaded areas showing the type of hair loss that can be treated effectively with HairMax laser devices.
The Savin scale
The stages of Female Pattern Baldness fall into 3 main stages, which a few variations within each stage.
Female Pattern Baldness will start along the central parting and widen from there. Stage 1 has 4 separate steps to it, with the central parting getting wider and wider with each step.
When we move to Stage 2 of the scale the widening of the parting has become significant and at this stage would be noticeable to the untrained eye.
Stage 3 of the Savin scale takes us to a large amount of loss across the entire top of the head. In some advanced cases Stage 3 can progress to almost total thinning or loss across the entire top of the scalp.
An additional variation on the Savin Scale is frontal hair loss. In this hair loss stage, the loss is concentrated more towards the front/hair line. The hair loss pattern will follow a Christmas tree shape and start to taper off the closer to the vertex that we get.
The Norwood scale
The Norwood Scale of Male Pattern Baldness has 7 stages.
Stage 1 is where all men start off initially with no significant hair loss or recession of the hairline.
Stage 2 shows a slight recession of the hairline. Slight recession of the hairline is perfectly normal as the hairline matures with time. The hairline will recede into the temples, which can panic some men, but is a natural thing to happen as they move into adulthood.
Stage 3 is where we first start to see the signs of clinically significant hair loss and balding. Stage 3 is split into 2 variations depending on where the hair loss is seen. The hair loss is either seen with a further deepening of the hairline at both temples or on the top of the scalp (the vertex). Stage 3 Vertex hair loss will maintain the hairline at the same point as Stage 2.
Stage 4 sees both Stage 3 variations combine and worsen. There is still significant hair left separating the hair line and vertex hair loss. The temples will now have a deep U shape to them.
Stage 5 sees the vertex area of hair loss worsen and increase in size. The hair line recession will continue to recede back towards the vertex. The hair left separating the hair line and vertex hair loss has become narrower but it still bridges across the entire top of the head.
As we move to Stage 6, we lose that bridge across, with also sparse hair left in this area. As well the hair loss from the vertex continues to worsen and work its way further down the sides and back of the head.
When we reach Stage 7, we are at the final picture of what Male Pattern Hair Loss will look like. The only hair left is the hair on the sides and the back of the head. For some reason these hairs aren’t affected by genetic hair loss like the hair on top of the scalp is.
The genes that we inherit from our parents will determine at what age we see the onset of Male Pattern Baldness and at what stage of the Norwood scale our hair loss will finish. If left untreated not all of us will progress all the way to Stage 7. Some lucky few may only see hair loss as far as Stage 3 or 4.
Hair loss and different ethnicities
HairMax laser devices were studied in light to brown skin tones (Types 1,2,3,4) as described in the Fitzpatrick Scale below.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification Guide is a way to describe your skin type based on your complexion and what happens to your skin in sunlight.
If your skin tone is Type 1,2,3 or 4 and your hair loss falls into one of the categories described above, a HairMax laser device should work for you. However, it is important to note that HairMax laser devices were only tested on light to medium skin tones as it was easier to visualise and analyse the hair against a light background. This does not necessarily indicate that the HairMax laser device won't work on darker skin tones. Many people with darker skin tones have used a HairMax laser device successfully, and many physicians recommend the devices for darker skin tones.
* Adapted from Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. McGraw-Hill Professional; 5th edition.
Hair loss and colour treated hair
HairMax laser devices can be used on all hair colours, but it is recommend that you wait for 2 – 3 days after any hair colouring process prior to using the device.
Do HairMax laser devices really work?
While results vary from individual to individual, over 90% of participants in the clinical trials regrew hair. You can find more information about the clinical studies and the results of the HairMax laser therapy hair growth devices in our blog: HairMax Laser Therapy Hair Growth Clinical Results.
HairlossPal stocks the HairMax Hair Growth Lasercomb 9 and HairMax Hair Growth Lasercomb 12 together with the HairMax Hair Growth Laserband 41 and the HairMax Density 3piece Bio-Active Hair Therapy Set.