Category Archives: Low Level Laser Therapy

Low Level Laser Therapy, Theradome

The Theradome Laser Helmet

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Theradome PRO LH80 Laser Helmet
Theradome PRO LH80 Laser Helmet for Hair Growth.

You can purchase the wireless Theradome PRO LH80 laser hair growth helmet from Amazon after reading the reviews. Also available is the cheaper Theradome EVO LH40.

Both devices can be discounted when on sale. Make sure to also search for coupons expiring in 2020 and beyond.

Theradome Laser Helmet

Among the various laser hair growth devices and systems, the Theradome helmet stands out for its unique appearance. Other well known laser helmets include the iRestore and iGrow.  On this blog, I interviewed this product’s inventor Dr. Tamim Hamid in 2015.

Since the HairMax Lasercomb first became popular a decade ago, a number of new laser products and contraptions have entered the market. The Theradome (released in 2013) was the first one that received as much publicity. As of 2020, they now have two models that are discussed further below. More product details and historical information can be seen on the FAQ page on the company website. Also see their Instagram page for regular updates.

Theradome Laser Helmet
Theradome Laser Helmet for Hair Growth.

Low-Level Laser Hair Growth Popularity

What really strikes me about low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is that so many people are willing to splurge for these devices. The proven benefits of LLLT when it comes to hair growth are limited. Even today, there are disputes about the appropriate wavelength of low-level laser devices.

Theradome raised close to half a million dollars via crowdfunding on Indiegogo in 2013. Quite surprising, considering that it was a new device with few ratings and reviews at the time. On the campaign home page, you can see a tab for number of founders, and the total is 1,266. The vast majority of those names are “anonymous” with no country of origin displayed.

All the people who bid $395 in the campaign were given a Theradome unit in return. The campaign’s initial funding goal was $50,000, which I thought as somewhat optimistic. Perhaps my opinion is clouded by seeing the weak results of numerous other kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns.

Theradome EVO LH40 vs. PRO LH80

As of 2020, there are two models of the Theradome available for purchase:

  1. Theradome PRO LH80 with 80 diodes. Priced at around $900. Use for 20 minutes per day, twice a week.
  2. Theradome EVO LH40 with 40 diodes. Price usually around $600. Use for 20 minutes per day, four times a week.

Reviews and Ratings

The Theradome PRO LH80 currently has 90 reviews on Amazon averaging 3.5 out of 5 stars. The Theradome EVO LH40 has 369 reviews on Costco’s website, averaging 4.1 out of 5 stars. Clinical trials for the PRO LH80 were completed in December 2016. On Ekomi, the average rating is 4.3/5, and I assume included both product models.

Theradome FDA Clearance

The Theradome laser is advertised as being the “First and Only FDA OTC Cleared Clinical Strength Laser Hair Therapy for Home Use”. It has been given FDA 510(k) clearance and is not likely to result in any serious side effects with correct use. The device comes with a 1-year warranty, and you can order replacement parts and batteries from the manufacturer.

For more information, see the manufacturer’s Youtube channel and Twitter.

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 male androgenetic alopecia sufferers in 2007. Approval for female pattern hair loss patients came in 2011.

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 loss and regrowth. Both products come with money-back guarantees and warranties. A competing product is the NutraStim Laser Hair Comb.

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.

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 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 on HairMax’s Ultima 12 product page. On Bed Bath & Beyond’s site, Beyond+ members current price is $317.

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.