Comparative Efficacy of Minoxidil Alone Versus Minoxidil Combined With Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

January 2025 in “ Journal of Dermatological Treatment ”

Abdulrahman Alosaimi, Abdullah Algarni, Abdulrahman Alharbi‎, Abdulmalik S. Alotaibi, Anwar Alomairi, Mohannad Alsurayhi, Waleed Alharbi

minoxidil low-level laser therapy androgenic alopecia Rogaine LLLT

TLDR Combining low-level laser therapy with minoxidil doesn't improve hair loss treatment compared to using minoxidil alone.

This systematic review and meta-analysis, which included 4 randomized clinical trials with 188 participants, found that combining low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with minoxidil does not significantly improve the treatment outcomes for androgenic alopecia compared to using minoxidil alone. The study observed no significant differences in hair counts or hair diameter between the two treatment groups at various time points. Despite minoxidil being an effective treatment on its own, the analysis noted limitations such as high risk of bias, short follow-up durations, and lack of stratification, indicating a need for more comprehensive studies to confirm these results.

View this study on tandfonline.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

Comparative Efficacy of 2% Minoxidil Alone Versus Combination With Low-Level Laser Therapy in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chinese Females

research Comparative Efficacy of 2% Minoxidil Alone Versus Combination With Low-Level Laser Therapy in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chinese Females

January 2024 in “Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy”

Using minoxidil with laser therapy is more effective for female hair loss than minoxidil alone.

Efficacy of Minoxidil Combined With Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Double-Blind Half-Head Controlled Trial

research Efficacy of Minoxidil Combined With Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Double-Blind Half-Head Controlled Trial

May 2021 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Minoxidil and photobiomodulation together improve hair growth better than minoxidil alone.

Efficacy and Safety of a New 10% Topical Minoxidil Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Trichoscopic Evaluation

research Efficacy and Safety of a New 10% Topical Minoxidil Versus 5% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Trichoscopic Evaluation

14 citations, August 2019 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

10% minoxidil solution better promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss without significant side effects.

HRQoL in Hair Loss-Affected Patients with Alopecia Areata, Androgenetic Alopecia, and Telogen Effluvium: The Role of Personality Traits and Psychosocial Anxiety

research HRQoL in Hair Loss-Affected Patients with Alopecia Areata, Androgenetic Alopecia, and Telogen Effluvium: The Role of Personality Traits and Psychosocial Anxiety

29 citations, November 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Personality traits and anxiety affect hair loss patients' quality of life.

research The Effectiveness of Adding Low-Level Light Therapy to Minoxidil 5% Solution in the Treatment of Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

14 citations, January 2018 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Adding low-level light therapy to minoxidil improves hair growth and patient satisfaction.

Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

research Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

34 citations, May 2017 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Combining low-level light therapy and minoxidil 5% is more effective for female hair loss than using either treatment alone.

research Minoxidil May Suppress Androgen Receptor-Related Functions

24 citations, April 2014 in “Oncotarget”

Minoxidil can reduce functions related to androgen receptors.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for Treatment of Hair Loss

165 citations, August 2013 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Low-Level Laser Therapy is effective and safe for hair growth with minimal side effects.

research Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Multicenter Trial

106 citations, April 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Low-level light therapy safely improves hair growth and thickness for androgenetic alopecia.

research Alopecia: A Review of Laser and Light Therapies

40 citations, February 2012 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

Lasers might help hair growth in some alopecia cases, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.

research Quality of Life Assessment in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Study

101 citations, January 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Men with hair loss experience lower quality of life, worsened by factors like age, severity, and treatment history.

research Types of Hair Loss and Treatment Options, Including the Novel Low-Level Light Therapy and Its Proposed Mechanism

46 citations, September 2010 in “Southern Medical Journal”

Hair loss treatments include medications and new methods like low-level light therapy, which may work by boosting cell activity and blood flow.

research Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

212 citations, September 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations, August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

203 citations, December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Early diagnosis and treatment, using finasteride, minoxidil, or hair transplantation, improves hair loss outcomes.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

269 citations, August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations, September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Evidenced Based Meta-Analyses and Systemic Reviews of Androgenic Alopecia and Treatments

diego8895 in Research/Science 14 upvotes 4 years ago

Evidence-based treatments for androgenic alopecia, such as minoxidil, finasteride, low-level laser light therapy, dutasteride, platelet-rich plasma, and topical ketoconazole. It discusses the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of these treatments, as well as future developments in understanding this polygenic condition.

community Oral min 2.5mg closing in on 3 months

_the_orange_box_ in Progress Pictures 372 upvotes 1 year ago

_the_orange_box_'s experience using oral minoxidil, with discussion about finasteride and the potential side effects of both treatments. Other users shared their own experiences related to hair loss treatments.

community Why are there no posts about LLLT (Low-level laser light therapy) laser caps?

psykitt in Technology 13 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation is about the lack of discussion on Low-level laser light therapy (LLLT) laser caps for hair loss. One user questions their effectiveness, and another asserts they don't work.

community cheapest and best low level laser therapy device

Naive-Ad8377 in Product 3 upvotes 9 months ago

The conversation is about finding an affordable and effective low level laser therapy device for hair loss, with a preference for a cap but open to a comb.

community Dutasteride 2 years 3 month results

Combfromhell in Finasteride/Dutasteride 251 upvotes 1 year ago

The user tried dutasteride for hair loss for 2.5 years but experienced drastic thinning and receding hairline. They decided to switch back to finasteride, along with minoxidil, LLLT, and ketoconazole, due to dissatisfaction with dutasteride's results and side effects.

community 21F AGA - 4 month hair growth progress (Minoxidil 5%, finasteride 1mg, theradome LLLT, viviscal vitamins, PRP twice)

Throwwawayy3929t in Progress Pictures 256 upvotes 3 years ago

A 21-year-old female shared her 4-month hair growth progress using Minoxidil 5%, finasteride 1mg, Theradome LLLT, Viviscal vitamins, and PRP treatments twice. Commenters praised her progress and discussed other treatments like microneedling, but she noted her dermatologist advised against it due to potential scalp damage.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: Therapeutic Update

March 2023 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia”

Topical minoxidil is the best-supported treatment for female hair loss, but personalized plans are needed.

research Hair Loss and Hair Restoration in Women

4 citations, April 2020 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America”

Hair loss in women is complex to diagnose and treat, and hair restoration should be done by experts. Using minoxidil before surgery can help manage post-surgery hair shock loss. The Follicular Unit Transplantation method is recommended for women due to its speed, no need for shaving, and better graft quality. Strategies like L, T, and reverse L patterns can help restore central hair density, and regenerative methods can improve graft survival in hair transplants.

research Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Alopecia in Women

June 2003 in “Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey”

Hair loss in women can be treated with hormone therapy.

research Efficacy and Safety of Laser Therapy and Phototherapy in Cicatricial and Non-Cicatricial Alopecia: A Systematic Review Study

November 2024 in “Health Science Reports”

Light/laser therapy can effectively increase hair density in some types of alopecia, especially androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata.

research Combination and Rotational Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia

April 2023 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

Using different hair loss treatments at various times can improve results and reduce side effects for people with chronic hair loss.