Special Report: Women’s Hair Loss

From Hollywood to local hair salons gorgeous hair helps women feel beautiful.

Jacqueline
"Hair really is something that makes a person who they are."

Jacqueline
"I used to have very, very full even curly hair and now it's oily and thin. It's just not who I am."

"Laura", not her real name, lost so much hair she had to wear hair pieces.

"Laura"
"You feel like a freak. You feel like you are the only one going through this and you have no idea how far it is going to go. Are you going to wake up bald one day. It's pretty scary."

Nearly 30 million women experience hair loss, that is one out of every four women. Jacqueline and Laura are in the majority, they most likely inherited their hair loss from a family member. But it can also be a sign of a serious health problem.

Dr. Wendel
"Hormonal problems, thyroid problems, other kinds of endocrine problems, excess types of certain hormones like testosterone… Nutritional problems can cause hair to fall out."

Even pulling hair back too tightly over the course of many years can cause hair loss. Here in Worcester, a first of its kind center for women just opened.

Dr. Wendel
"We can address the medical, the cosmetic, the emotional."

Jacqueline is hoping this LaserComb will help grow her hair back.

Jacqueline
"It's totally painless."

Here's how it works, laser-light energy stimulates and increases blood flow to the scalp. It's the same technology used in laser treatments at clinics but you can use the comb at home and it's cheaper.

A year of laser treatment at the clinic is anywhere from $1,000 to $3000. The comb costs around $600. The company is trying to get FDA approval.

An international study just released shows promising results for 35 patients, who used the LaserComb for six months.

Dr. Mary Wendel, Women's Hair Loss Center
"All but one had increased density. Actually new hair growth. Plus the hair was strong."

Jacqueline is also using special shampoos, Rogaine and taking iron pills.

As for Laura, her solution, hair transplant surgery, which costs between $3,000-$5,000.

"Laura"
"It's phenomenal. It's phenomenal. It's the most liberating thing."

It's tough to treat women, who have lost too much hair, so researchers are working on ways to clone hair. So one day you may be able to replace the hair you lose with your own lovely locks.

It's important to note that it's normal to shed up to 100 hairs a day, but if you notice more than that you should see a doctor.

Women's Hair Loss Center
10 Winthrop Street
Worcester, MA 01604
1-800-980-4247
508-438-0553

For more information on the LaserComb log onto www.lasercomb.net.