Update: October 2024
New Laser Combs
It seems like we finally have another FDA cleared laser comb for sale on Amazon that is also popular and inexpensive. It is made by PUPCA and is currently on sale for $120 for a limited time (the usual price is $180). Moreover, it comes with an in-built electric scalp massager. PUPCA also makes a FDA cleared red light therapy laser cap that is currently on sale for $196 (after a coupon and brand promotion offer).
The PUPCA laser comb is unique because it has both red and blue light settings that you can toggle between. Click on the image below for more info. The red light wavelength is the norm when it comes to almost all laser hair growth devices, but some reports suggest benefits to using blue light too.
In the past, a number of lower-cost laser combs have come to the market and then disappeared. The vast majority were never FDA cleared, not that it means anything when it comes to efficacy. Consequently, the HairMax LaserComb Ultima 9 and Ultima 12 models have monopolized the laser comb market for over 15 years.
January 2023
When it comes to the best laser hair growth devices, the HairMax LaserComb is the oldest well known product on the market. And it is a lot cheaper than laser helmets and laser caps. I briefly covered Lexington International (the company that owns Hairmax) a few years ago when its president Leonard Stillman commented on this blog.
HairMax (part of Lexington International) currently has two laser comb models on the market. The Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb and the Ultima 12 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. At the time, they had three devices: HairMax LaserComb Advanced 7; HairMax LaserComb Lux 9; and HairMax LaserComb Professional 12.
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 currently has two laser comb models on the market. The Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb and the Ultima 12 LaserComb. Both products come with money-back guarantees and warranties. A directly competing product is the NutraStim Laser Hair Comb, although it seems to have become unavailable in recent years. Other more expensive (non-comb) low-level laser therapy (LLLT) products for hair growth include Theradome and Revian Red and iRestore.
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.
HairMax Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb
On Amazon, the price of the Ultima 9 is currently $190. The sometimes also offer a bonus coupon available as an add-on. The combined LaserComb 9 and 12 models have an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 1,630 customers. On the manufacturer HairMax international’s own site, 204 customers have rated the product at 4.4/5 stars as of today based on 395 reviews.
Recently, I saw the HairMax Lasercomb 9 for sale at $180. 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.
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 the Best Buy, Costco and Macy’s websites, the price of this Ulima 9 product is currently $190-$200 (Edit: no longer available for sale on those sites). Walmart currently has a refurbished Hairmax Prima 9 Classic LaserComb for sale at just $145.
Make sure to also see this official Lexington video on how to use the HairMax Ultima 9 Classic LaserComb.
HairMax Ultima 12 LaserComb
HairMax’s newest LaserComb model is the Ultima 12. On Amazon, the combined LaserComb 9 and 12 models have an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 1,630 customers. The Ultima 12 is currently priced at $348 after a discount.
The average rating on Walmart’s website in the past was a much better 4.4/5, based on far fewer customer reviews. Almost the same rating 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.
Laser Comb Reviews and Ratings
I am quite surprised to see so many positive HairMax LaserComb reviews considering its weaker strength compared to more expensive LLLT devices such as laser caps and laser helmets. An average of 4.0/5 across the diverse list of vendors and retailers that I listed above is quite impressive for a laser comb product.
In online hair loss forums, a large number of people seem to conclude no significant hair growth benefit from using laser combs for hair growth.
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.
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.
