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

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.

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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.

Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

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.