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Hair-growth remedies have lagged behind other cosmetic treatments in recent decades, with few solutions available that actually work and don’t cost a fortune. Like, we can send robots to Mars and map the human genome, and yet there’s no magic pill or topical treatment that makes you sprout hair overnight? (To be sure, people with male pattern baldness can take prescription finasteride tablets and, over time, stop further genetic hair loss and possibly regrow some lost hair—I digress.)
All that said, the science on hair is starting to catch up. If you want something easy that you can do at home, the Hairmax LaserBand 82 ComfortFlex is worth considering.
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What Is the Hairmax LaserBand 82?
It’s essentially a headband-style device with 82 red light lasers that emit a wavelength of 655 nanometers (nm) at hair follicles on the scalp to encourage hair regrowth in thinning areas over time.
The Hairmax is FDA-cleared, meaning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deemed it as safe and effective as an equivalent product already on the market. According to the brand, its clinically proven technology has a 93 percent success rate.
How Does It Work?
The Hairmax delivers “laser light energy” to hair follicles to stimulate growth while stopping and potentially reversing thinning. It uses “narrow-band light” to target the follicle directly, preventing the energy from being uselessly dispersed. This process is called photobiostimulation or low-level laser therapy (LLLT).
How Long Does It Take?
Using the Hairmax LaserBand 82 to regrow hair is a commitment, but each treatment session is a breeze. The brand says to use it on each section of thinning hair for at least 30 seconds three times a week—so less than five minutes a week, though you can extend your sessions if you’d like.
Within four months, you might notice reduced shedding and the beginnings of new hair growth, with finer, lighter hairs at first. In six months, as the new hairs mature, most people experience visibly fuller hair. If the rest of your hair is longer, you might notice a frizzy, halo-like appearance on the crown of your head before new hairs thicken and reach their full length.
Don’t stop at six months, though. You’ll want to keep using the Hairmax, possibly indefinitely, to continue stimulating your follicles, growing healthy hair, and staving off hair loss.
My Experience With the Hairmax LaserBand 82
I lost a decent amount of hair with each of my two pregnancies, but have always had relatively fine strands.
I started using the Hairmax in March 2024 and noticed less shedding within a couple of months. In about five months, I saw new hairs sprouting up across my entire head, giving that fuzzy, halo look. It’s now been over a year, and my hair is undoubtedly fuller all over.
The baby hairs around both my frontal hairline and at the nape of my neck (that historically never grew more than a couple of inches) have grown out, now framing my face and long enough to tie back into a ponytail—no bobby pins needed! With these areas now the same length as the rest of my hair, plus additional thickness throughout, I feel like I’m working with much more than before.
My husband started a couple of months after me. It took him a little longer to see results, but after a year, his thicker hair is undeniable. After I finish my nightly session, I hand the Hairmax over to him so he can do his while we watch a show in bed.
Part of why the device is effective is that it’s really easy to commit to and stick with. At just a few minutes a week (compared to similar products that call for 10 or more minutes per session), there’s almost no excuse not to fit it into your routine.
Sometimes, I walk around my house with the Hairmax on my head (one hand holding it in place, well aware of how ridiculous I look to the untrained eye) as a way of habit-stacking—treating my scalp while getting my steps in. I’ve even done a quick 90-second session at 4:30 a.m. before heading to the airport for a crack-of-dawn flight.
I’ve noticed zero side effects and personally don’t see any significant downsides to this product, aside from the steep price. I also use the Hairmax on my eyebrows, and it seems to be working there too.
Does It Work?
If you ask me, it absolutely works. The Amazon reviews are promising, too. Many people say how surprised they were that it actually works, citing how quick and easy it is to use and noting that they saw new hairs crop up after a few months.
Still, it’s a long game—even healthy hair growth is only a half-inch or so a month, and it might take a few months before new hairs even begin to grow from your follicles. So, for some, it could be a full year for thinning areas to reach three inches long.
My hairstylist says he can tell it’s working. He’s had to mix more dye to cover my whole head compared to a year ago.
How Much Does It Cost?
The LaserBand 82 ComfortFlex isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s expensive. This model will run you $849.
Hairmax has a less expensive version, the LaserBand 41 ComfortFlex ($599). This one has fewer red light lasers and requires a minute or more per section, with at least three sessions per week. There’s also the pricier PowerFlex 272 Laser Cap ($1,699), which covers the whole scalp for a more efficient, hands-free treatment (and the downside of hat hair).
Should you buy it? If you can swing the premium price and are willing to commit to the long game, I say yes.
Design Specs:
- FDA-cleared for men and women.
- Intended for all types of hair loss and thinning.
- 655 nanometers red light wavelength.
- 82 medical-grade lasers
- 8.7 x 5.9 x 3.5 inches
- 1 pound.
- Includes charging cradle, power adapter, and charging cord.
Pros:
- Science-backed technology.
- Energizes hair follicles to stimulate hair growth.
- Noticeable results with consistent use.
- Less shedding and fuller, thicker hair in six to 12 months.
- Quick sessions—minimum of 90 seconds, three days a week.
- No side effects.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Takes months to see results and calls for indefinite use.
- Can’t use hands-free while doing most tasks.
