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    Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Topical Minoxidil Combination vs. Topical Minoxidil Monotherapy in Androgenetic Alopecia Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

    August 2025 in “ Lasers in Medical Science ”
    Ferra O. Mawu, Oktavia R. L. Sondakh, Tara Sefanya Kairupan, Paulus Mario Christopher
    Studysummary In this study, the combination of low-level laser therapy and topical minoxidil was found to improve hair density and diameter more effectively than minoxidil alone in treating androgenic alopecia, with similar safety profiles observed in both groups.
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    Research cited in this study 22

    1. Investigating the Relationship Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Hair Shape, Color, and Thickness: A Case-Control Study Health Science Reports · 2025
    2. 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 Journal of Dermatological Treatment · 2025
    3. Efficacy and Safety of Laser Therapy and Phototherapy in Cicatricial and Non-Cicatricial Alopecia: A Systematic Review Study Health Science Reports · 2024
    4. The Synergistic Effect of Phototherapy and Active Substances on Hair Growth Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology · 2024
    5. 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 Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy · 2024
    6. Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil and Oral Spironolactone Versus Minoxidil and Finasteride in Androgenic Alopecia Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2023
    7. Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update JAAD International · 2023
    8. Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update Drugs · 2023
    9. Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia – A Randomized Controlled Trial International Journal of Trichology · 2023
    10. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of United States Food and Drug Administration-Approved, Home-Use, Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy Devices for Pattern Hair Loss: Device Design and Technology PubMed · 2021
    11. Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Self-Esteem in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia JAMA Dermatology · 2021
    12. Efficacy of Minoxidil Combined With Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Double-Blind Half-Head Controlled Trial Lasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2021
    13. Low-Level Light Therapy Downregulates Scalp Inflammatory Biomarkers in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia and Boosts Minoxidil 2% for Sustainable Hair Regrowth Lasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2021
    14. Role of Low-Level Light Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery · 2021
    15. Comparison of Low-Level Light Therapy and Combination Therapy of 5% Minoxidil in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss Lasers in Medical Science · 2020
    16. Minoxidil And Its Use In Hair Disorders: A Review Drug Design Development and Therapy · 2019
    17. Comparative Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Adult Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Lasers in Medical Science · 2019
    18. The Effectiveness of Adding Low-Level Light Therapy to Minoxidil 5% Solution in the Treatment of Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology · 2018
    19. Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study Lasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2017
    20. The Nuts and Bolts of Low-Level Laser Therapy Annals of Biomedical Engineering · 2011
    21. Effects of the Lexington LaserComb on Hair Regrowth in the C3H/HeJ Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata Lasers in Medical Science · 2011
    22. Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth British Journal of Dermatology · 2004

    Related research 8

    1. Tolerance and Safety Profile of Sublingual Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas · 2024
    2. Efficacy and Safety of Microneedling Radiofrequency in Patterned Hair Loss Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery · 2024
    3. Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy · 2024
    4. Minoxidil Sulfotransferase Enzymatical Activity in Plants: A Novel Paradigm in Increasing Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2023
    5. Tretinoin Enhances Minoxidil Response in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients by Upregulating Follicular Sulfotransferase Enzymes Dermatologic Therapy · 2019
    6. The Use of Minoxidil in the Treatment of Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Story of More Than 30 Years Italian journal of dermatology and venereology · 2018
    7. A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 2002
    8. Androgenetic Alopecia: Treatment Results with Topical Minoxidil Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 1987