Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature
July 2020
in “Skin appendage disorders”
TLDR Low-level laser therapy safely and effectively improves hair growth and coverage for male and female pattern hair loss.
This document is a review of 10 controlled clinical trials that evaluated the safety and efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for male and female pattern hair loss. The studies used different devices, laser parameters, and regimens, but all found significant increases in terminal hair counts, hair growth, and hair coverage in treatment groups. The studies suggest that LLLT devices are a safe and effective form of treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with most subjects reporting only mild side effects that resolved within 2 weeks. However, the authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind LLLT and to optimize treatment protocols.
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Cited in this study
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
LLLT promotes hair growth and improves hair density safely in men and women.
research Efficacy and Safety of a Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Self-Comparison, Sham Device-Controlled Trial
Low-level light therapy safely improves hair coverage, thickness, and count in androgenetic alopecia patients.
research Photobiomodulation therapy for androgenetic alopecia: A clinician’s guide to home-use devices cleared by the Federal Drug Administration
FDA-cleared devices may help treat hair loss, but more research needed; consult dermatologist before use.
research The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
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)
Low-level laser therapy effectively treats female hair loss, increasing hair count by 51%.
research Comparison of the effects of 665 nm low level diode Laser Hat versus and a combination of 665 nm and 808nm low level diode Laser Scanner of hair growth in androgenic alopecia
The laser scanner device was more effective at increasing hair density than the laser hat in treating androgenic alopecia.
research Low level light-minoxidil 5% combination versus either therapeutic modality alone in management of female patterned hair loss: A randomized controlled study
Combining low-level light therapy and minoxidil 5% is more effective for female hair loss than using either treatment alone.
research The growth of human scalp hair in females using visible red light laser and LED sources
Red light therapy is safe and effectively increases hair growth in women with hair loss.
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
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
Red light therapy at 655 nm significantly improved hair growth in men with hair loss.
research Low‐level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss
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
Low-level light therapy safely improves hair growth and thickness for androgenetic alopecia.
research Utilizing Electromagnetic Radiation for Hair Growth
Low-Level Laser Therapy and other light treatments for hair growth lack strong evidence and need more research.
research Effects of the Lexington LaserComb on hair regrowth in the C3H/HeJ mouse model of alopecia areata
The Lexington LaserComb helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human hair loss.
research Automated digital image analysis (TrichoScan®) for human hair growth analysis: Ease versus errors
TrichoScan often makes mistakes and needs improvement for correct hair growth analysis.
research HairMax LaserComb® Laser Phototherapy Device in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia
HairMax LaserComb® effectively promotes hair growth and stops hair loss in males with androgenetic alopecia, with no serious side effects.
research Medical treatments for male and female pattern hair loss
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.
research Human hair follicles contain two forms of ATP‐ sensitive potassium channels, only one of which is sensitive to minoxidil
One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.
research Androgenetic Alopecia
Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.
research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough
Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.
research The psychosocial consequences of androgenetic alopecia: a review of the research literature
Hair loss affects self-esteem and quality of life; treatments can help.
research Psychological effects of androgenetic alopecia on women: Comparisons with balding men and with female control subjects
Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.
research The psychological effects of androgenetic alopecia in men
Hair loss can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in men.
Related
research Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature
Low-level laser therapy safely and effectively improves hair growth and coverage for male and female pattern hair loss.
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
LLLT promotes hair growth and improves hair density safely in men and women.
research Low-level laser therapy for the treatment of androgenic alopecia: a review
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research Low-level laser/light therapy for androgenetic alopecia.
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research A randomized, single-blind trial of 5% minoxidil foam once daily versus 2% minoxidil solution twice daily in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women
5% minoxidil foam once daily works as well as 2% minoxidil solution twice daily for female hair growth and is more convenient.