A Helmet that grows hair? Roll away your acne scars?

A helmet that prevents hair loss and helps grow back what's already fallen out? And can a roller packed with hundreds of needles really remove stretch marks, acne scars, wrinkles, and hyper-pigmentation? iGrow and the MTS Roller both caught our eye at the recent American Academy of Dermatology Convention in New Orleans. So, we had to ask ... Do they really work?

Let's start with the iGrow.  The new iGrow touts itself as the only at-home laser treatment guaranteed to give you fuller, thicker hair.  The inventors of iGrow, Apira Science, say they took clinically proven medically based technology and introduced it over the counter in the form of iGrow.  iGrow inventor Gavin Tucker says you can plug your ipod into the iGrow and listen to music while you rejuvenate the scalp. He says the iGrow should be used 2 to 3 times a week for 20 to 25 minutes, and you shouldn't feel any type of pain or sensation from the low level light therapy.  Gavin says the lasers produce a wavelength of 655 to 670 nanometers that have been shown to increase cellular activity within the follicles.  iGrow is loaded with 5 pre-set regimens, including specially designed treatments for men and women. Gavin says the device is not for men or women who are completely bald, but rather this device should be viewed as a means to prevent hair loss, and help rejuvenate thinning hair.

Hair loss specialist and board certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Rogers says she wants to see more independent studies done on the device, and low level light therapy, to prove how well the device actually works.  She says she has seen studies showing patients have seen improvement from low level light therapy, but says more data is needed. 

The device retails for about $695. For more information, go to www.iGrowLaser.com.

Another device that caught our attention at the AAD Convention is the MTS Roller. The Microneedle Therapy System (MTS) is a roller that comes with about 200 needles embedded in it.  An over the counter version - that uses much shorter needles - and a medical version - which uses much longer needles that can only be used by professionals - are available. 

The creators of MTS Roller, Clinical Resolution Lab, Inc., say the goal of microneedling is to injure the skin just enough to induce the body to produce collagen and elastin.  Basically, the body thinks the skin is hurt, and it tries to heal it.  Clinical Resolution Lab says microneedling can be used to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, acne scars, large pores, and hyper-pigmentation.

The company says the medical grade rollers can cause bleeding (on purpose), and a numbing cream is needed or the procedure could be painful.  One patient we interviewed who is using the over the counter device to help with acne scars and to even out her skin says it's not painful, but it can cause some sensitivity on certain parts of the face.  It's recommended you microneedle at night, since the skin will be more sensitive afterwards. It's also recommended that you use a good broad spectrum sunscreen during the day (which dermatologists say everyone should be doing whether or not you are microneedling!).

The treatment package comes with a "how to" DVD, and it's recommended that you watch this before attempting the procedure at home. There are some definite do's and don'ts when it comes to microneedling, so if you're thinking of purchasing one of the kits, please make sure to read all instructions and watch the DVD.

We asked board certified dermatologist Dr. Patricia Farris what she thought about microneedling. She says she'd like to see more studies done on microneedling and its use to anti-age, but says there is good scientific data out there to support MTS Roller's claims that it works to help with acne scars.  The company does have some impressive before and afters on its website that show how the different systems work to treat various skin conditions, from hyper-pigmentation to acne scars, but Dr. Farris says she'd like to see more independent studies done on microneedling.

The rollers start at about $160, which doesn't include serums and lotions used to treat the skin condition you are trying to address. For more info go to www.microneedle.com.