February 2007 saw the 'Hairmax LaserComb' gain the approval of the American Food and Drug Administration. After many years of research and clinical studies the low level laser therapy was approved for use as an hair retention aid.

The history of low level laser light therapy is synonymous with the work of the Hungarian scientist Endre Mester. During the 1960s, Mester studied the effects of low level radiation and found that it had profound effects on wound healing and pain relief.

Studies using rats and rabbits found that the use of low level radiation increased wound healing more quickly than controls. One of the reasons for this is that the laser improves vasodilatation (blood flow) to the area of the wound which is also the principal behind the use of Minoxidil as a hair loss treatment because Minoxidil is a chemical vasodilator.

Laser light therapy has been used for the treatment of hair loss in many salons and health clinics for many years but  until now the treatment was inaccessible to many due to the cost of treatment and the size of the machines used made home use impractical. The introduction of the Hairmax LaserComb has made the treatment of hair loss for both men and women safe and cost effective for use at home.

Like many drugs, Minoxidil originally started life as a treatment for something else. In the case of  Minoxidil, it was taken orally (brand name - Loniten) for the treatment of high blood pressure. A side effect was discovered i.e.  the slowing down or even the reversal of hair loss and balding.

A 2% and 5% Minoxidil topical version was developed by Upjohn Corporation for the treatment of Baldness with the brand name Rogaine in the United States and Regaine in Europe.

It is believed that Minoxidil helps hair grow because it acts as a blood vessel vessel dilator or vasodilator. This means it allows more oxygen get to the hair follicle which helps it grow.