A Critical Assessment of the Evidence for Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Hair Loss
February 2017
in “Dermatologic Surgery”
TLDR The evidence for using Low-Level Laser Therapy for hair loss is limited and more thorough research is needed.
The document critically evaluates the evidence for using Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in treating androgenetic alopecia, highlighting the variability in study designs, measurements, and the small sample sizes of the nine trials identified, including five randomized controlled trials (RCTs). It points out the lack of direct comparisons with established hair loss treatments and the need for standardized protocols, visual evidence, and longer trial durations in future research. The paper also discusses the importance of treatment regimen, light dose, and individual differences affecting LLLT efficacy, noting that while LLLT devices are user-friendly and free of side effects, the clinical efficacy evidence for hair loss treatment is limited. Therefore, only a moderate recommendation for LLLT use in hair loss can be made, and more rigorous clinical studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base.
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