Topical 5% Minoxidil Versus Combined Erbium YAG Laser and Topical 5% Minoxidil in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In a randomized controlled trial with 30 male patients suffering from moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia, the combination of erbium YAG laser treatment and topical 5% minoxidil was found to be more effective than using minoxidil alone. The combination treatment group showed better outcomes as indicated by higher dermoscopy scores. The study also found a negative correlation between disease duration and treatment response, with patients having a lower Hamilton–Norwood scale score and shorter disease duration showing better responses. Adverse effects were reported in both groups, but there were no significant differences in the number of cases experiencing these effects. The study's limitations included a small sample size and lack of objective assessments such as hair density and thickness measurement.