Efficacy Comparison of Photobiomodulation Devices in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

This study compared the efficacy of different photobiomodulation (PBM) devices in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in a cohort of 33 participants (33.3% female, 66.7% male) with Fitzpatrick skin types II-VI. Participants were randomized to use an in-office laser helmet, laser comb, laser band, or combination laser/LED helmet for 4 months, with treatments occurring 3 times per week. Statistically significant improvements in hair growth were observed in males using the in-office laser helmet (p=0.002), laser comb (p<0.001), and laser/LED helmet (p<0.001), and in females using the in-office laser helmet (p=0.028) and laser comb (p=0.005). The laser band did not show significant improvement in either gender, and the combination laser/LED helmet was not effective for women. The study's limitations include its short duration and small sample sizes per device when split by gender. Overall, in-person PBM treatments were beneficial for patients with AGA.