Just to remind everyone, about $250 bucks is all it really takes…

By OverMachoGrande
Oct 23, 2008

Hey guys… you know you don’t HAVE to spend an arm and a leg to make very effective laser helmets, right??  You do know that a cluster of 68 moved three times still works great, don’t you?  If you can’t (or don’t want to) spend the money on a “full coverage” device… DON’T!  Spend about $250 instead… that’s all it takes for you to make a great device that is still pretty effective!

Listen up… while the “Laser Messiah” indeed is a truly great helmet and it covers all the bases that I feel a really good helmet MUST HAVE:

1) It has diode spacing based on the “gutter guard” mesh, which is about as good as we can ever hope for with the spacing, and it allows for the diodes to be as close as reasonably possible without overlapping.

2) With the brush bristle supports, the diodes are a uniform distance from the scalp that allows for equal coverage on a curved head, even going down the sides a bit.

3) With the brush bristle supports, we can “diffuse” the diodes for the most coverage possible.

4) It allows for “multiple zones”, which most of us that have used this feel is an added benefit to all of this.

5) The “full coverage” aspect makes it so the “multiple zones” don’t overlap, as well as gives you the option to do it all at once (time saver).

6) It’s very comfortable.

...I think it’s popularity has made some forget that there is a much CHEAPER alternative out there that is still very effective, and it’s based on the same design that I used for about 8 months, jdp710 used for four and a half, Justme123 has still been using for over four months, and several others that contact me by email have been using for various lengths of time -and we have had STUNNING results (check Regrowth.com for recent photo threads from both jpd710 and myself).

The “Laser Messiah” is definitely a luxury helmet that is on par with -if not better than- the $40,000 laser clinic devices, but it does cost somewhere probably $650 - $700 or higher to make if you want over the “magic number” of 200 diodes (which is what a HairMax Laser Comb used to cost a couple of years ago for only NINE DIODES! LMAO!!!). I absolutely realize that price is definitely high for some people (even though it’s, ummm… a LOT LESS than $40,000!), and I hate it that some people think this stuff is only reserved for those with a lot of money.  Well, THIS IS NOT A TREATMENT ONLY FOR THE SUPER RICH! Unlike the hair loss industry would have you believe, this stuff can be done VERY CHEAPLY and still give you amazing results if, of course, you do-it-yourself, and do it right! [Don’t worry… I’ll spell out what the do-it-yourself community has determined as “right” down below.]

I think the problem is that forum members ebb and flow all the time, and there always seems to be a new cycle of members that weren’t present during our “discovery process” of this and aren’t aware that it wasn’t that expensive at all for me to make my first helmet (and less expensive now because the diodes are $3 instead of $4).  So yes… let me spell it out for you:  you don’t have to spend $650+ on a helmet… you can still make a very effective device for about $250!

I will give this disclaimer, and this answers a question that you might have already: “If it was working, why did some of you guys build bigger devices??” Easy… we’ve figured out without a doubt that the MORE LASERS YOU HAVE, THE BETTER IT WORKS!!!  That’s why!  lol… And more than likely, once *you* taste what a cheaper laser device will do for you, you’ll end up making a stronger device, too!  But that’s sort of a problem you want to have... especially if you’ve been fighting hair loss for a decade like most of us have been.

Basics of what we’ve observed since December 2007...

Ok, I’m going to first cover some basics -that you need to read, dammit!  So many people ask me these questions in the forums, and it’s spelled out many places but I’m going to spell it out again! lol…

First, we’ve found that yes… it seems like 200 diodes -or the equivalent of 200 diodes (meaning a moveable cluster of a lesser amount!)- is the “magic number” for great results.  “But OMG, but OMG… the laser clinic devices only have an average of 100!” Yes, I’m aware of that!  We aren’t directly comparing our helmets to the laser clinics, though.  We CAN’T!!!  There aren’t a bunch of forum members running to the laser clinics because they cost too much! lol…

Listen, we already know that our helmets use the same diodes (the EXACT SAME diodes if you use the AiXiZ ones) as the laser clinics, and we know how to replicate their designs pretty well.  Therefore, since there is no “je ne sais quoi” with these laser clinic devices -it’s just diodes and power like all other laser devices- we know that a 100 diode device of ours will be similar to a 100 diode device of theirs, right?  Duh!  So this is where it gets interesting… with our helmets, we are comparing the actual results of everyone’s helmets, and it seems like the ones with the most diodes are the most effective, and it takes 200 to really hit the sweet spot where people say “Oh my gosh… this stuff really works”, and fairly quickly, too.

So, even though it’s not exactly “scientific”, it leads me to believe ALSO that yes… our helmets are more effective than clinical laser devices.  No, I can’t prove that -HELLO, we’re all amateurs here that have to go off observations- but hey, I’m just basing that on what we know to be true about laser clinic devices and what we’ve seen about our helmets.  Worst case scenario, it’s “as effective”, but like I said… it seems like the more the better, and that’s coming from people that started with the equivalent of 200 and moved up all the way to the equivalent of over 400!

Ok, you’ll notice that I’m using the phrase “equivalent of” quite a bit.  I want to explain that… it TOTALLY COUNTS that you can total up the lasers if you use multiple zones, as long as the cluster is a big enough size.  See… we’ve also found that for the best results, not only does the total amount of diodes matter, you need a minimum cluster size! Whether that’s because it requires a certain amount of area to be stimulated for the best results, whether it requires a certain “light intensity” that only a larger cluster can bring, or what… I don’t know the reason, but when you check what all of the pioneers have said, the ones with the best results have at least a cluster of 68 diodes that is moved three times (68 because it’s a good size in gutter guard… about 4” x 3")!  Even the ones with clusters around 50 don’t have as good of results.  Also, notice please that 68 diodes moved three times is the equivalent of 204 diodes… it’s over the magic number!

The “Rule”...

So, here is the “rule” that we have established from our observations, and it really would benefit you to follow it: You need at least a cluster of 68 diodes in “gutter guard’ type spacing moved at least three times (20 minutes a section) for the cheapest but yet still most effective device you can make. That’s what we’ve found after months of looking at this.  Yes, the diodes should be diffused -with the lense caps completely removed- and resting at a height of somewhere between 1.5-2cm off of the scalp.

Advantages/Disadvantages of “Full Coverage” vs. “Moveable Clusters”

Of course, like I said, there are drawbacks to a “moveable cluster” sort of design compared to a “full coverage” device like the “Laser Messiah”, so I’ll spell them out for you:

1) First and foremost, without a doubt the biggest advantage of a “full coverage” device is that you eliminate the overlapping problem.  With a “moveable cluster”, you often (either inadvertently or because you have space issues) end up overlapping the borders of the zones.  Yes, that means that there are certain areas that get way too many joules, and it could be causing a bit of bio-inhibition in those areas.  However, I must remind everyone that I still got great results with it, and I was definitely overlapping areas!

2) A “full coverage” device does provide much more consistent coverage.  Since you build the “full coverage” device to cover your balding areas, there’s no guessing here… you’re going to get coverage in the areas you need it consistently, every time. 

3) With a “full coverage” device, you do have the option of doing either “switchable zones” (that don’t overlap), or all-at-once.  That can be a time saver, and if time is an issue for you… then a quicker usage time may be a benefit for you.

Now, are those advantages worth the extra price???  That is completely dependent on YOU and what you can afford!  Also, if you’re one of those people that’d rather prove it to yourself first -like I was- then you probably want to start with the “moveable cluster” design, too.  Once again though, lol… go ahead and assume that you if you build a “moveable cluster” design, you will one day want even more and eventually make a “full coverage” device because you will not only have seen results, you will completely understand the gravity of the benefits/advantages that I just spelled out!

Oh, let me tell you some good things about the “moveable cluster”, too… Besides the obvious price advantage of being only $250 vs. $650-$700, the advantage of the “moveable cluster” design would be the POWER SUPPLY!  It’s difficult to find a power supply for a few hundred diodes, without a doubt!  With a cluster of 80 or less, you can use the 2.4 amp Chinese adapter on my power supplies page, which is not only readily available, it’s only about $18 plus shipping (maybe $5-$10?), and you get it in about a week!  THAT is great!

So now what?  Design considerations...

Well, I don’t have nice PDF instructions for this right now, and I might not do that at all… I might only make another blog entry that “sums” up how to do this with some hand drawn graphics, and you can reference the bigger “Laser Messiah” instructions for the details.  So, you have to use your own creativity a bit.

These are the main elements you have to have, and ALL OF THEM were pretty much invented, tested, and honed by Jdp710 and his “tennis visor”:

1) You need a headband for support.  Jdp710 used a tennis visor in which he cut the front down a little so he could target his temples a little better.  That is absolutely fine!  Here is his page so you can see some pictures (pops up in a new window): “Jdp710’s tennis visor!”

Or -and this is what I’d probably do even though I do love visors- I personally would chose to make a headband out of foamies and velcro, very similar to the bottom part of the “Laser Messiah” except without the 3mm foam to hold the eyelets.  Mainly, just for some extra support and comfort, and the fact I can get it a little “snugger” on my head.

Take a look at this picture from my “Laser Messiah” instructions:

This is how I’d make the base, except that I WOULDN’T put in the layer of foam with the arrows drawn to it that says “It’s getting covered with my hair...”.

Here’s an animated picture, and once again… you’d leave out that wider, horshoe-shaped piece of foam:

2) As you can see by the “Jdp710’s tennis visor!” pictures, you will need velcro strips along the outside the headband.  On my design it’s be the same… just put a strip around the outside!

3) The cluster needs to be at least 68 diodes (a good arrangement is 8x7x8x7x8x7x8x7x8) can be directly mounted in the gutter guard, and it needs to have foam mounts glued around the edge that need to be somewhat close to two centimeters to space it properly off of the scalp.  I would probably use three of the 6mm foam spacers.  This cluster is small enough that the foam spacers should be enough and you won’t need the brush bristles.

4) The cluster may or may not “bow"… jdp’s didn’t but my original one did.  I’ll think of something for this, like a bit of wire coat hanger or something.

5) Put strips of the velcro around the design so you can position that sucker into place -once again, just like jdp710’s!  Remember, you will move it three times:

As many of you know, I have been referring to this design as the “Laser Messiah, Jr.”, and like I said… I intend to at least have some graphics in a blog coming soon to help people with the design!

Total cost??

68 diodes are $3 a piece, so that’s $204.  The adapter is $18 plus about another $5-$10 shipping.  The gutter guard is about $1 - $1.50.  The rest, whether you use a tennis visor or foamies/velcro can be easily done for under $15.  If you want to add the “hobby adaptaplug” ends, then add another $5 or so.  If you already have the extra wire, wire strippers, and a couple of other things, then that’s IT!  If you don’t, you need to add another $15 or $20 bucks to it or something.

All-in-all… it’s going to be somewhere around $250, which is CHEAPER than most standard laser brushes out there… but you will actually have something that will work as well as the clinical laser devices!

Do you get that?!  $250 for results that you would get at a freaking laser clinic!  WTF are you waiting for?! It’s something that ACTUALLY WORKS.  MAKE IT! lol…

-O.M.G.