Use of Fractionated Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

December 2023 in “ Lasers in Medical Science ”

Patrick Jedlowski, Michelle Anthony

fractionated laser therapy androgenetic alopecia hair shaft diameter erbium-glass laser thulium laser topical therapies injectable therapies AGA

TLDR Fractionated laser therapy, especially erbium-glass laser, effectively increases hair thickness in people with hair loss but doesn't increase the number of hairs.

The systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies investigated the use of fractionated laser therapy for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The study found that fractionated laser combination therapy and monotherapy significantly improved hair shaft diameter, with an increase of 2.51 (95% CI 2.37–2.65, I2 = 90.54) and 2.28 (95% CI 2.03–2.52, I2 = 91.20%) respectively. This effect was durable for both erbium-glass (2.36 95% CI 2.01–2.71, I2 = 92.05%) and thulium (1.61 95% CI 1.08–2.15, I2 = < 0.00%) lasers. However, there was no improvement in hair shaft count for any laser modality. The study concluded that erbium-glass laser is an effective modality as either monotherapy or combination with topical/injectable therapies to improve hair shaft diameter in AGA.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

15 / 15 results

A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations, January 2022 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

Using a carbon dioxide laser and platelet-rich plasma together can effectively restore hair and patients are generally satisfied with the results.

research Non-Ablative Er:YAG Laser Is an Effective Tool in the Treatment Arsenal of Androgenetic Alopecia

3 citations, August 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Non-ablative Er:YAG laser effectively treats hair loss with high patient satisfaction and no side effects.

research The Effect of Conditioned Media From Human Adipocyte-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Androgenetic Alopecia After Nonablative Fractional Laser Treatment

10 citations, August 2020 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Conditioned media from stem cells improves hair growth after laser treatment for hair loss.

research The Effect of 1540-nm Fractional Erbium-Glass Laser in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

6 citations, September 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Laser treatment effectively increases hair density and thickness in androgenic alopecia.

A Randomized, Investigator-Blinded, Controlled, Split-Scalp Study of the Efficacy and Safety of a 1550-nm Fractional Erbium-Glass Laser, Used in Combination with Topical 5% Minoxidil Versus 5% Minoxidil Alone, for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Investigator-Blinded, Controlled, Split-Scalp Study of the Efficacy and Safety of a 1550-nm Fractional Erbium-Glass Laser, Used in Combination with Topical 5% Minoxidil Versus 5% Minoxidil Alone, for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

29 citations, April 2019 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

Laser and minoxidil combo promotes better hair growth than minoxidil alone, safely.

research Laser-Assisted Hair Regrowth

5 citations, April 2019 in “Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open”

Fractional lasers could help hair regrowth in androgenic alopecia, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.

research The Effect of the Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser on Improving Minoxidil Delivery for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

6 citations, January 2019 in “Journal of lasers in medical sciences”

Using a fractional CO2 laser helps Minoxidil work better for hair regrowth.

Efficacy of 1,550-nm Erbium-Glass Fractional Laser Treatment and Its Effect on the Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Wnt/β-Catenin in Androgenetic Alopecia

research Efficacy of 1,550-nm Erbium-Glass Fractional Laser Treatment and Its Effect on the Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Wnt/β-Catenin in Androgenetic Alopecia

10 citations, August 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Laser treatment improves hair density and increases growth factors in androgenetic alopecia.

research Fractional Non-Ablative Laser-Assisted Drug Delivery Leads to Improvement in Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

15 citations, February 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

Laser-assisted drug delivery improves hair loss.

research Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of a 1927-nm Fractionated Thulium Laser on Pattern Hair Loss: An Evaluator-Blinded, Split-Scalp Study

21 citations, January 2018 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

The 1927-nm fractionated thulium laser treatment significantly improves hair thickness and count in pattern hair loss patients.

research Enhancing Hair Growth in Male Androgenetic Alopecia by a Combination of Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy and Hair Growth Factors

26 citations, May 2017 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

Laser therapy and hair growth factors significantly improve hair density in male baldness.

research Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment: Associating 1550nm Erbium-Glass Laser with Drug Injections of Active Principles

January 2017 in “Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology”

research Enhancing Hair Follicle Regeneration by Nonablative Fractional Laser: Assessment of Irradiation Parameters and Tissue Response

16 citations, April 2015 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Using a fractional laser can stimulate hair growth, but the intensity and duration of inflammation are crucial. Too much can cause ulcers and scarring. Lower beam energy and fewer treatments are recommended to avoid damage.

research The Effect of a 1550 Nm Fractional Erbium-Glass Laser in Female Pattern Hair Loss

47 citations, August 2011 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Laser treatment increases hair density and thickness safely in women with hair loss.

Morphometric Analysis of the Human Scalp Hair Follicle: Practical Implications for the Hair Transplant Surgeon and Hair Regeneration Studies

research Morphometric Analysis of the Human Scalp Hair Follicle: Practical Implications for the Hair Transplant Surgeon and Hair Regeneration Studies

51 citations, November 2010 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

The research provides specific measurements for hair follicles that can improve hair transplant and regeneration techniques.

Similar Research

5 / 448 results

research A Review of the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss

53 citations, February 2020 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride and minoxidil work best together for hair loss.

research Progress of Clinical Research on Fractional Laser Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review Article

July 2024 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Fractional laser therapy is a promising, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for hair loss.

research Clinical And Preclinical Approach In AGA Treatment: A Review Of Current And New Therapies In The Regenerative Field

August 2024 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

New regenerative therapies show promise for treating hair loss.

research Physical Treatments and Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia

August 2024 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine”

Low-level laser therapy is the most supported treatment for hair loss, but other methods show promise.

research What Do We Know About Hair Growth Induced by Wounding and Its Therapeutic Applications?

August 2023 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Wounding may stimulate hair growth, but more research is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of related treatments.