Category Archives: LLLT

CurrentBody, LED, LLLT, Low Level Laser Therapy

CurrentBody LED Hair Regrowth Device

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I have covered a number of popular laser hair growth devices on this site in the past. While the vast majority of these devices make use of laser diode light, a new FDA-cleared product called CurrentBody LED hair regrowth device uses only light-emitting diode (LED) light.

LLLT and Hair Growth

In general, readers are skeptical about the hair growth benefits of wave based treatments such as low level light therapy (LLLT) and sound therapy for hair loss.

However, LLLT continues to be covered at every single major hair loss conference. Moreover, new studies keep coming out that tout the benefits of light energy and photobiomodulation (PBM) on scalp hair growth and quality. Including a 2021 one from L’Oreal that found LLLT to downregulate scalp inflammatory biomarkers in men with androgenetic alopecia.

Among the things that laser light can do for scalp health and hair quality include:

  • Stimulate the mitochondria via photon absorption.
  • Reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
  • Increase synthesis and production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
  • Increase nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.
  • Impact gene expression in a number of ways.

CurrentBody LED Hair Regrowth Device

The CurrentBody LED hair regrowth helmet device makes use of 120 red LED bulbs that deliver full scalp coverage. The average power of 18 J/cm² compared to an industry average of 6 J/cm² makes this device three times stronger than other devices on the market. It can be used by both men and women suffering from hair loss.

Note that LED diodes are nowadays much stronger than in the past when it comes to wattage output. They can even power car headlights. Historically, laser diodes were always preferred to LED diodes when it comes to LLLT devices. However, this is no longer true due to technological advancements in LED technology. Laser phototherapy (LPT) devices only use laser diodes.

The wavelength of the red light from this device is 640 nm. See my past post on laser therapy for hair loss and wavelength. Red light wavelength ranges from 400 nm to 700 nm.

The device comes in two sizes:

  1. Small/Medium (Head Measurements: 54cm – 58.7cm).
  2. Medium/Large (Head Measurements: 59.7cm – 63.5cm).

It is charged via a USB cord (but no mains plug is provided). You need to use the device for 10 minutes per day for 16 weeks for visible results. The device won “Best New Product” in the “Tools” category for the Marie Claire 2023 Hair Awards. It was also featured on the UK show “This Morning” as one of Nadine Baggott’s top products to beat hair loss.

The company sent me the below before and after image that shows a very good responder to this treatment. Note that this man is also using topical Minoxidil.

CurrentBody LED Hair Growth
CurrentBody LED device hair regrowth results. Before and after.

My Experiences with CurrentBody’s LED Device

I started using the CurrentBody LED hair regrowth device two days ago. I have never used any other laser device in my life. It was extremely easy to use the helmetlike machine right out of the box. It is also relatively lightweight when considering the large quantity of LEDs inside. Note that the device should never be used on wet hair per the user manual instructions.

After my first 10-minute treatment session, I got a slight burning smell, but I did not see any smoke or melted plastic anywhere! After my second treatment, I got a milder burning smell, but it could also be from my shirt as I had been to a bar earlier. No obvious difference in hair texture in just two days of use.

CurrentBody LED Hair
My CurrentBody LED hair growth device on its stand.

The 120 LED lights make this product look very futuristic. I used it for 10 minutes and it then shut itself off automatically based on an in-built timer.

Due to the short duration of treatment, I did not try to connect the headphones with my phone via bluetooth. That in-built option is available in case you want to listen to any music or podcasts during the 10 minutes of daily treatment.

I have not yet needed to recharge the device, but will probably try charging it via my computer USB port. If that does not work or is too slow, I will recharge via using a USB adaptor connected to an electric wall outlet.

Do note that I am also currently using 0.5 mg Dutasteride twice a week and 2.5 mg oral Minoxidil once per day for my hair loss. The oral Minoxidil seems to be working quite well and I only started using it in November 2022. I have been using the Dutasteride for a few years. So my results with the laser device could have some bias when I update this post in the future.

HairMax Lasercomb, Lasercomb, LLLT, Low Level Laser Therapy

HairMax LaserComb 9 vs LaserComb 12

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When it comes to the best laser hair growth devices, the HairMax LaserComb is the oldest well known product on the market. I briefly covered the company a few years ago when its president Leonard Stillman commented on this blog. However, I did not discuss its hair loss treatment products at the time.

HairMax LaserComb

HairMax LaserComb
HairMax LaserComb.

The LaserComb’s inventor and CEO is David Michaels. The first LaserComb device obtained US FDA 501(k) clearance to market for use in balding male androgenetic alopecia sufferers in 2007. Approval for female pattern hair loss patients came in 2011.

A study in 2009 concluded that:

“HairMax LaserComb is an effective, well tolerated and safe laser phototherapy device for the treatment of AGA in males.”

Another study from 2014 found “a statistically significant difference in the increase in terminal hair density” between lasercomb-treated versus sham-treated subjects.

HairMax (part of Lexington International) currently has two laser comb models on the market. The Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb and the Ultima 12 LaserComb. The older cheaper device seems to have slightly better online customer reviews for hair regrowth. Both products come with money-back guarantees and warranties.

A directly competing product is the NutraStim Laser Hair Comb. Other more expensive laser products for hair growth include Theradome and Revian Red.

Dateline covered the LaserComb quite favorably in 2011, with before and after photos and patient feedback included. I even mentioned that story in a post in 2014. Thereafter, a whole bunch of new companies have come out with FDA-cleared low-level laser devices to grow hair. None are laser comb or brush type products that entail combing one’s hair daily or several times a week.

Safety and Side Effects

In 2012, Lexington released the results of its sponsored clinical study on the efficacy of the LaserComb 7 beam model. Laser combs are safe and well tolerated phototherapy devices used to treat androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). I have never heard of anyone complaining about major side effects upon using these products to promote hair growth. However, lasers and light can be dangerous to the eyes, so do not do this type of thing.

Note that almost no-one claims that lasers will regrow hair follicles on totally bald regions of the scalp. At best, they can make existing thinning hair stronger via photo-biostimulation and light energy. And possibly regrow recently miniaturized hair follicles.

Some studies suggest that laser light energy stimulation of the mitochondria and cells can also promote new hair growth. At least in modest quantities. However, some of these same studies are sponsored by laser device manufacturers. Hopefully this does not bias results, but one needs to be careful when analyzing findings in support of LLLT.

HairMax Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb

HairMax Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb.
HairMax Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb.

Recently, I saw the HairMax Lasercomb 9 for sale at Costco for $199 (with bonus shampoo and conditioner bottles). Of the numerous well known brand name low-level laser therapy devices on the market, this is by far the best price. You can purchase lesser known unproven brands at lower prices. Some people even try to made their own laser combs at home.

Update: 2021 — On Amazon, the price of the Ultima 9 is currently $199, with a bonus 15 percent off coupon available as an add-on. The HairMax Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb comes with the following features and properties:

  • FDA Clearance.
  • 9 Medical grade lasers (but no LEDs).
  • Cordless with rechargeable battery.
  • Power cord also available.
  • 11 minute treatment time.

On Macy’s site, the price of this product is currently $199. Make sure to also see this official Lexington video on how to use the HairMax Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb.

Laser Comb Reviews and Ratings

Amazon has 611 customer reviews, with a respectable average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. On Costco’s site, customers in the past gave the HairMax Ultima 9 LaserComb an average review of 3.8/5, but it is no longer on sale. Walmart currently has a refurbished Hairmax Prima 9 Classic LaserComb for sale at just $145. On the manufacturer’s own site, 204 customers have rated the product at 4.3/5 as of today. Best Buy has 4 reviews averaging 4.5/5.

I am honestly quite surprised at these HairMax LaserComb reviews. An average of 4.2/5 across the diverse list of vendors and retailers that I listed above is quite impressive for a laser product. In online hair loss forum reports, a large number of people seem to say that they did not benefit from laser treatment for hair growth.

HairMax Ultima 12 LaserComb

HairMax Ultima 12 LaserComb.
HairMax Ultima 12 Laser Comb.

HairMax’s newest LaserComb model is the Ultima 12. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 97 customers. Current offer comes with a 15% off coupon. An older now inactive page on Amazon had an average rating of 4/5 across 25 reviews in 2019. The price of the Ultima 12 LaserComb is around $395 across various sites.

Average rating on Walmart’s website is a much better 4.4/5, based on 34 customer reviews. Almost the same numbers can be seen on HairMax’s Ultima 12 product page. On Bed Bath & Beyond’s site, the Beyond+ members discounted current price is $317. However, the currently the product is unavailable.

The main advantage of Ultima 12 over Ultima 9 is that while the former has 12 lasers, the latter has 9. Treatment time is just 8 minutes with the Ultima 12, versus 11 minutes with the Ultima 9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about the HairMax LaserComb.

Is HairMax FDA approved?

In 2007, HairMax was granted the first ever FDA clearance as a laser phototherapy device for home use to treat hair loss. Since then, Hairmax devices have received a total of 8 FDA Clearances.

What is the side effect of using laser combs?

Laser combs generally cause no major side effects if used correctly as instructed. In some cases, you can get mild scalp redness and itching. As with all laser devices, a mild burning sensation and smell is also possible, although this is never dangerous. Do not use the device on wet hair.

Does HairMax work for hair loss?

While the HairMax laser comb can improve your hair quality and thickness and even regrow some hair, it is not a cure for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss).

How often should you use the lasercomb?

According to the manufacturer of the device, the HairMax LaserComb needs to be used 3 times a week per the recommendation from clinical trial findings. Each treatment session lasts for 8-15 minutes. Overuse will not garner any further hair growth benefits.