Well I took the bait...

I wrote a previous review for this device based on my research as to its effectiveness and summed it up with a cautiously positive opinion. That review discussed the FDA approval (based on the device being safe but not necessarily effective) independent peer-reviewed studies and the Dateline show that followed a HairMax user for one year (note that he was using it in combination with drug treatment). I received a few comments disregarding my review because i hadn't used the device so here's a new one based on my actual experience.



Yes I took the bait. I'm a user now. I figured that I'd rather spend the money on a non-invasive non-chemical treatment that will leave me with a device to sell rather than a prescription to a drug that reportedly has the same odds of success.





First impressions:

It shipped out late (2+ weeks) with no alert from the manufacturer (I ordered direct). The package I received was missing the instructional DVD and the second set of combs. The DC plug was difficult to fit into the device and the lasers were not aligned very precisely (the beams diverged noticeably at two feet away - I doubt that this matters at all other than an overall indication of precision). Hmmm... not a great first impression.





First 10 weeks:

The process is fairly straightforward... drag the comb across your entire scalp at least twice taking enough time to make sure the laser penetrates the scalp. Half an inch every four seconds with the entire process taking twenty minutes or more. It's not at all painful or unpleasant but it does require a commitment to make the time in a busy schedule. I chose mornings right after my shower on M-W-F for the procedure and this worked well. The manual mentions that more treatments probably won't hurt but they still recommend the prescribed 3-day treatment every week. The manual also mentions that wet clean hair (before gel treatments spray etc.) is preferable. Makes sense... water makes tissue more translucent. Drop some water on a piece of paper and hold it up to a light for an example of the principle.



I experienced accelerated hair loss in the first 10 weeks which was mentioned in an online report. It didn't bother me too much... the combing process involves working the hair against the nap and using a comb to clear it away as you progress. My hair wasn't used to this type of disruption.



I also experienced increased body to my hair which was also mentioned in the report. I attributed this to the same combing process... the device gives out a very small amount of heat and as you comb through your hair it dries in a fluffed position. That leads to increased body much like blow-drying might.



The report also mentioned reduced gray hair with some users. Lately I think I may be seeing this as well and I'm not complaining. Perhaps the thinner weaker gray hairs are falling out.



Unfortunately what I didn't see in the first 10 weeks was convincing hair growth. And this is the tricky part... how do you know for sure? I mean even without any kind of treatment my hair looks thinner on certain days when I haven't washed it or if I've worn a hat or my mother-in-law is around. And when the stars align just right it can sometimes seem thicker as well. So how do you know whether the device is really working given our subjective perception? You can choose to believe the independent studies (while wondering who paid for them) you can choose to believe the personal testimonies (while wondering about their compensation as well) or you can choose to just believe. Or maybe not and return the thing (they give you 20 weeks for a return). I chose to keep going based on desperation more than belief.





Next five weeks:

I'll update this review (if it stays up on Amazon) as long as I keep the device and so far I've used it for approximately fifteen weeks. I've neglected to use it maybe four times in those fifteen weeks due to a lack of time (four out of forty-five... not too bad).



The lasers seems solid but the beeper seems to go haywire now and then either sticking on or going silent for awhile. Hmmm.



I've had a bit of an uptick in my opinion. It may have been just the planets aligning again but my hair seems thicker overall and definitely less gray. Then again days later it seems thinner. Again this is really a tough thing to gauge given so many variables. For now I'll keep forging on but if I don't see more certain results by the holidays you'll see my LaserComb on eBay. It'll be easy to spot - the one without the CD and with only one set of combs.





Final update:

Forgive me for not concluding my review... it's been quite some time since I wrote my original comments but I stopped using the Hairmax after about five months of use (and too late to take advantage of their 20-week return policy). In the end I found I was fighting time (in more ways than one) and time is one tough cookie. Although I think the HairMax probably does work to some extent I just couldn't take the time needed to consistently use the device. Perhaps that's a sorry statement about the busy nature of life in America but I think it's better seen as the ultimate comment regarding this device: I couldn't find the time to fight time itself.



If you think you might have more commitment to the battle than I the HairMax might be worth the effort. I chose to work out a peace agreement (okay I surrendered). My hair is thinner than ever but I no longer mind as much. I've accepted the fact that I'm getting older and I welcome the clarity that comes with the decision.



I'll be selling mine on eBay. As soon as I can find the time...More detail ...

Works great so far

To give you some background I have fair skin and thick dark hair. When I shave stubble is still visible at the skin surface and when I shave my armpits it always look like I haven't even shaved. So I'm one of those people. I'm cursed.



I've tried most hair removal methods like shaving Nair wax and epilation. Chemicals burn my skin so I scrapped that back in my teens. Since then I've used a combination of epilation and shaving but because the epilator hurts and hurts far too much to treat my underarms or bikini line I've been toying with the idea of laser for a long time. I decided to buy this before I invested $3-5k in a series of treatments (for pretty much everything).



When I first received the SensEpil I did most of my body: underarms legs bikini area arms and a bit of my stomach. The bulb was shot by the time I finished my arms but I did get my full body covered. It takes a while about as long as it takes to use an epilator maybe a little less.



It can hurt in some areas. For most of my body at the highest setting it only stings periodically (sort of like a light rubberband snap) but in some sensitive areas it was tough to take. But bear in mind that's the highest setting - there are five. At the lowest setting I didn't really feel it at all.



The initial effect was minimal. On my arms which I didn't shave the hair was singed a bit. Elsewhere it left me a little stubbly - I later shaved and it was fine. My guess is that the flash of the light singes surface hairs but treats the roots. So the first three days it didn't look like anything was happening but by the fourth day or so I noticed that when I shaved my legs were extremely smooth. Then I noticed that my underarms looked a hundred times better - after shaving there was very little visible stubble which was a first for me.



When I noticed improvement I bought a new bulb and then went over my body again two weeks later (it recommends a treatment every two weeks). Again the bulb lasted through my whole body and it hasn't burned out yet though I bought another for backup. Overall I'm noticing a gradual reduction in hair. My armpits look great there's significant hair reduction on my arms and legs. The only area that's showing only a slight reduction is my bikini line possibly because the hair is so coarse and dense. But I am noticing a reduction and I'm going to keep it up.



The only reason why I've given it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it does cost a bit given that aside from the initial cost you should expect to buy a bulb for each treatment. It's nothing compared to professional laser costs - consider $50 a treatment vs. $500 and up (for the whole body). I'll update my review over the next few months with remarks on its effectiveness.



Update: It's still working great and I'm officially in love with this machine. I have essentially no stubble under my arms - I've never seen them like this before - and the hair on my arms and legs has gone way down. Pubic hair area is fading out at a slower rate but I'm still happy with the progress.



Another update (a few months in): It's still pretty great. For me (and this could just be my body) it takes really really well to the underarms and arms. After that it works reasonably well on my legs. One quirky effect: I take great care to cover the entire area sometimes overlapping and hitting the same place twice (even though it says you shouldn't do that) and I'll still get a few patches of hair growth. So for example I'll do my legs and they'll become totally smooth except for a patch here or there where the hair will look totally unaffected. Maybe I am missing those places but anytime I've noticed it I've been especially careful to be thorough. I haven't seen this happen on my arms or my underarms though. Also it does work on the pubic region but that hair is very very stubborn for me. So the main benefit in that area is that it really reduces the density so that when I do shave it's smooth. But after a day or two there's stubble.More detail ...

Let's just say... I don't take quick showers anymore!! Taking care of my skin is a life-long investment.

PROS

+ Easy to use easy to handle not heavy. Clarisonic is like a mechanical toothbrush.

+ There are two buttons one to turn it on/off and the other is good for the speeds. For the "Pro" Model there are 3 speeds for the faces and 2 speeds for the body.

+ 60-Second timer for your face which is plenty of time to fully remove make up so my white towels stay white when drying off. I can no longer be lazy to wash my make up off before going to bed. I can see that my pores are clean and it feels like my facial products like moisturizers can work more effectively now.

+ 3-Minute timer for your body so I will focus on one part of the body each day or use it multiple times in one long shower. I hate scrubbing my body with a loofah sponge or a face towel. Let's just say... I don't take quick showers anymore!!

+ Clarisonic claims that the battery life is good for 30 minutes (or washing twice a day = 2 weeks). I found it lasted a few days when washing the face twice per day plus a few times for my body which did not last during my 1-week vacation so I was out of luck for a few days since I did not bring my charger.

+ Comes with plastic covers/caps one for the facial brush head and another one for the spot body brush head which are handy when traveling or trying to dry the brush heads. By the way buying replacement brush heads usually include a new plastic cover/cap.

+ Battery life indicator (4 green dots) is on the back of the handle.

+ The brush heads are easy to rotate remove clean and replace. The brush heads are supposed to last 3-4 months but I have only had it since February. After I clean off my foundation make up I rinse the brush head wash it for a few seconds with hand soap and then leave it out to dry. By the way the brush heads can be found for $20 nowadays (save $5 off retail price).

+ Waterproof so it can be used in and out of the shower.



CONS (or room for improvement)

- The power cord is permanently connected to the docking station (charging base) so it's not easy to wrap up for traveling.

- Does not come with a travel bag but there is a Spot Therapy Kit on sale for $50 which includes the Spot body brush head exfoliating Clarisonic Body Polish (6 oz full size) and a travel bag.

- The brush head does not seem to dry overnight so make sure to tilt or face it down to drain the water. I suggest removing the brush head once in awhile to get any trapped dirty water out.

- I don't always leave it in the docking station because a tiny bit of water collects at the bottom even though there is a small hole for draining.

- The retail price of $225 is pricey so I bought my first one on eBay which included extra brush heads but now Amazon is offering it at a competitive price so I plan on buying a second one to keep at my boyfriend's place. Please note that Clarisonic sells the "Plus" version which is 3-speeds since the "Pro" version with 4-speeds is supposed to be used by professional. But can you really put a price on your skin?? Consider this a life-long investment. Maintenance is much cheaper in the long run and much less painful than face lifts and botox. I still get monthly facials but the Clarisonic is an effective tool for everyday use like a mini facial in the privacy of my own home.

- The size of the docking station for travel purposes.



Overall I love my Clarisonic brush and definitely recommend it to friends and family!More detail ...