Fractional CO2 Versus Radiofrequency as Hair Regrowth Enhancers for Female Androgenic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    September 2025 in “ Dermatologic Surgery ”
    Rana F. Hilal, Eman Shaarawy, N. S. Ahmed, Solwan Ibrahim El-Samanoudy
    Studysummary This study found that combining Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency (FMRF) with topical minoxidil significantly increased hair counts and density more than minoxidil alone or combined with Fractional CO2 in women with androgenic alopecia.
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    Research cited in this study 24

    1. Efficacy of Ablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Alone and Combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia QJM: An International Journal of Medicine · 2023
    2. A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Lasers in Medical Science · 2022
    3. Nonablative Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label Study Dermatological reviews · 2021
    4. Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and Men: Italian Guidelines Adapted from European Dermatology Forum/European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Guidelines Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia · 2020
    5. Microneedling Improves Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients by Upregulating Follicular Sulfotransferase Enzymes PubMed · 2020
    6. The Effect of the Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser on Improving Minoxidil Delivery for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of lasers in medical sciences · 2019
    7. Non-Ablative Radio Frequency for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica (Tiskana izd.) · 2019
    8. A Pilot Split-Scalp Study of Combined Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Treating Male Pattern Hair Loss Clinical and Experimental Dermatology · 2018
    9. Evidence-Based Guideline for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and Men – Short Version Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2017
    10. Enhancing Hair Growth in Male Androgenetic Alopecia by a Combination of Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy and Hair Growth Factors Lasers in Medical Science · 2017
    11. Hair Regrowth Through Wound Healing Process After Ablative Fractional Laser Treatment in a Murine Model Lasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2015
    12. Enhancing Hair Follicle Regeneration by Nonablative Fractional Laser: Assessment of Irradiation Parameters and Tissue Response Lasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2015
    13. Guidelines for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia Based on BASP Classification: The Asian Consensus Committee Guideline Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2012
    14. Promising Therapies for Treating and Preventing Androgenic Alopecia PubMed · 2012
    15. Prostaglandin D2 Inhibits Hair Growth and Is Elevated in Bald Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Science Translational Medicine · 2012
    16. The Effect of a 1550 Nm Fractional Erbium-Glass Laser in Female Pattern Hair Loss Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2011
    17. A Randomized, Single-Blind Trial of 5% Minoxidil Foam Once Daily Versus 2% Minoxidil Solution Twice Daily in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 2011
    18. From Telogen to Exogen: Mechanisms Underlying Formation and Subsequent Loss of the Hair Club Fiber Journal of Investigative Dermatology · 2009
    19. Wnt-Dependent De Novo Hair Follicle Regeneration in Adult Mouse Skin After Wounding Nature · 2007
    20. Rapid Onset of Action of Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution in a 4-Month German Observational Study on Both Patients and Physicians Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2004
    21. Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia Experimental Gerontology · 2002
    22. Kenogen Dermatology · 2002
    23. Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Separate Entity Dermatologic Surgery · 2000
    24. Telogen Effluvium: A Comprehensive Review Archives of Dermatology · 1993

    Related research 4

    1. Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition Journal of autoimmunity · 2018
    2. Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis Journal of cosmetology & trichology · 2018
    3. Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata PubMed · 2017
    4. Effectivity of Minoxidil as a Treatment for Alopecia Areata DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · 2013