The Effectiveness of Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy on Hair Loss

September 2021 in “ Facial plastic surgery & aesthetic medicine ”

Pietro Gentile, Simone Garcovich

low-level light therapy low-level laser therapy LLLT male pattern hair loss MPHL female pattern hair loss FPHL randomized controlled trials RCTs laser therapy light therapy

TLDR Low-level light/laser therapy is effective in treating male and female pattern hair loss without side effects.

A systematic review of 298 articles was conducted to assess the effectiveness of low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT) in treating male pattern hair loss (MPHL) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Out of these, 136 articles focused on MPHL and FPHL, and 36 of these specifically on LLLT. After excluding systematic reviews, seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were analyzed. The conclusion from these seven RCTs was that LLLT had a positive effect on treating MPHL and/or FPHL, with no reported side effects.

View this study on art.torvergata.it →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

28 / 28 results

research A Randomized Blinded Retrospective Study: The Combined Use of Micro-Needling Technique, Low-Level Laser Therapy, and Autologous Non-Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Hair Re-Growth in Patients with Androgenic Alopecia

20 citations , July 2020 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy”

Using micro-needling, low-level laser therapy, and platelet-rich plasma together significantly improves hair growth in people with hair loss.

research Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

65 citations , April 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

PRP injections may be a safe, effective alternative for hair loss treatment compared to minoxidil and finasteride.

research Photobiomodulation for the Management of Alopecia: Mechanisms of Action, Patient Selection, and Perspectives

34 citations , September 2019 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

Light therapy can stimulate hair growth and is more effective when started early, but more research is needed on its long-term effects and optimal use.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Thai Men and Women: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

45 citations , August 2019 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

LLLT promotes hair growth and improves hair density safely in men and women.

research Autologous Cellular Method Using Micrografts of Human Adipose Tissue Derived Follicle Stem Cells in Androgenic Alopecia

88 citations , July 2019 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Using human fat tissue derived stem cells in micrografts can safely and effectively increase hair density in people with hair loss.

research Advances in Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy in Androgenic Alopecia and Hair Loss: Wnt Pathway, Growth Factor, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Signaling Impact Analysis on Cell Growth and Hair Follicle Development

136 citations , May 2019 in “Cells”

Stem cell therapy, particularly using certain types of cells, shows promise for treating hair loss by stimulating hair growth and development, but more extensive trials are needed to confirm these findings.

research Efficacy of Non-Surgical Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

54 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Low level laser therapy works best for hair loss, followed by PRP, finasteride, and minoxidil.

research Efficacy and Safety of Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Self-Comparison, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

31 citations , November 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Low-level light therapy safely improves hair coverage, thickness, and count in androgenetic alopecia patients.

research Systematic Review of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Adult Androgenic Alopecia

13 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

Low-level laser therapy can stimulate hair growth more effectively than fake devices, but patient satisfaction is similar for both. Results should be taken with caution due to small study sizes and differences between studies. More research is needed.

research The Effectiveness of Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

178 citations , July 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy effectively treat hair loss.

research Novel Approach to Treating Androgenetic Alopecia in Females With Photobiomodulation (Low-Level Laser Therapy)

33 citations , June 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Low-level laser therapy effectively treats female hair loss, increasing hair count by 51%.

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 Evaluation of Non-Activated and Activated PRP in Hair Loss Treatment: Role of Growth Factor and Cytokine Concentrations Obtained by Different Collection Systems

136 citations , February 2017 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

PRP treatment improves hair growth, and the device used can affect results, with some being more effective.

research The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Hair Regrowth: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

214 citations , September 2015 in “Stem Cells Translational Medicine”

Platelet-rich plasma injections significantly improved hair regrowth and thickness in patients with hair loss.

research The Growth of Human Scalp Hair in Females Using Visible Red Light Laser and LED Sources

81 citations , August 2014 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Red light therapy is safe and effectively increases hair growth in women with hair loss.

research Use of Low-Level Laser Therapy as Monotherapy or Concomitant Therapy for Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia

45 citations , April 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Low-level laser therapy helps male and female hair loss alone or with other treatments.

research Efficacy and Safety of a Low-Level Laser Device in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Multicenter, Randomized, Sham Device-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

147 citations , January 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Laser device increases hair density, safe for treating hair loss in men and women.

research The Growth of Human Scalp Hair Mediated by Visible Red Light Laser and LED Sources in Males

117 citations , September 2013 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Red light therapy at 655 nm significantly improved hair growth in men with hair loss.

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

106 citations , August 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

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

research Effects of the Lexington LaserComb on Hair Regrowth in the C3H/HeJ Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata

81 citations , July 2011 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

The Lexington LaserComb helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human hair loss.

research Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

235 citations , February 2011 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

Men with baldness due to androgenetic alopecia still have hair stem cells, but lack specific cells needed for hair growth.

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 , September 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.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.