Lasers, Lights, and LEDs

May 2023 in “ Elsevier eBooks ”

Frances M. Walocko, Bianca Y. Kang, Yung Hao Chang, Jeffrey S. Dover, Murad Alam

low-level laser therapy light therapy photobiomodulation androgenetic alopecia minoxidil finasteride hair transplantation Fitzpatrick skin types LLLT Rogaine Propecia

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Low Level Laser Therapy →

laser therapy for anti-inflammatory and likely insignificant hair regrowth effects

Studysummary This study found that low-level laser/light therapy is effective and safe for treating mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia in individuals with certain skin types, especially when combined with other treatments, although further research is needed to refine protocols and verify long-term outcomes.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document discusses the use of various laser and light-based interventions for treating androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss. The most studied among these is low-level laser/light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation. This therapy has been found effective in treating mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia in both men and women, and is safe for Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV. The therapy is most beneficial when used alongside other treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, or surgical interventions like hair transplantation. However, further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols, understand patient selection, and confirm long-term safety and efficacy.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

24 / 24 results

research Proposed Mechanisms of Low-Level Light Therapy in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

8 citations , October 2020 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This review suggests that low-level light therapy can promote hair growth in patients with androgenetic alopecia, but more research is needed to standardize treatment parameters and assess long-term safety and efficacy.

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

11 citations , June 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study suggests that combination therapies including minoxidil with either finasteride, low-level laser light therapy, or microneedling are more effective than minoxidil alone for treating androgenetic alopecia.

Comparative Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Adult Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

research Comparative Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Adult Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

21 citations , January 2019 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This review found that low-level laser therapy significantly increased hair density in adults with androgenic alopecia compared to sham treatments, with greater effects observed at lower treatment frequencies.

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

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 , June 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this randomized, double-blind trial, researchers observed that low-level laser therapy led to significantly greater hair regrowth on treated areas compared to a sham treatment in patients with androgenetic alopecia over 24 weeks, suggesting it as a potentially effective and safe option.

research Evidence-Based Guideline for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and Men – Short Version

145 citations , November 2017 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This guideline review by the European Dermatology Forum evaluates current treatments for androgenetic alopecia but reports no new research findings, aiming to assist dermatologists in selecting safe and effective therapies.

research Efficacy of Fractional Lasers in Treating Alopecia: A Literature Review

25 citations , August 2017 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This literature review reported that fractional lasers, like the 1550-nm nonablative erbium-glass laser, may enhance hair regrowth by stimulating a wound healing process, but more randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness and optimize treatment parameters.

Comparison of the Effects of 665 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Hat Versus a Combination of 665 nm and 808 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Scanner on Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia

research Comparison of the Effects of 665 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Hat Versus a Combination of 665 nm and 808 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Scanner on Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia

24 citations , May 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This study reported that a new laser scanner using 655 nm red and 808 nm infrared lasers significantly improved hair density in patients with androgenic alopecia compared to both a laser hat and no treatment, without observable adverse effects.

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

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

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy significantly improve hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, while minoxidil is also effective for women, compared to placebo.

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

33 citations , March 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this clinical study, low-level laser therapy using the HANDI-DOME LASER device increased hair counts by 51% compared to controls, indicating its potential as a safe and effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia in women aged 18 to 60.

research A Review on Laser and Light-Based Therapies for Alopecia Areata

16 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This review highlights that laser and light treatments could serve as safe and effective alternatives to current therapies for alopecia areata, with the excimer laser showing positive results, though further randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish optimal treatment protocols.

research Meta-Analysis of Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

57 citations , May 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This analysis suggests that platelet-rich plasma therapy may be promising for treating androgenetic alopecia, but further controlled trials with standardized measures are needed to confirm its efficacy.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy and Hair Regrowth: An Evidence-Based Review

60 citations , December 2015 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This review concluded that FDA-cleared low-level laser therapy devices are safe and effective for patients with male and female pattern hair loss who do not respond to or tolerate standard treatments.

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”

This study found that low-level laser therapy significantly increased hair growth in women with androgenic alopecia, achieving a 37% greater increase in hair counts compared to placebo.

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

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”

This study found that low-level laser treatment with the HairMax Lasercomb significantly increased terminal hair density in both men and women with pattern hair loss, with no serious adverse events reported.

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”

This study found that low level laser therapy at 655 nm significantly increased hair counts in males with androgenetic alopecia.

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”

This study found that low-level light therapy significantly increased hair density and diameter in androgenetic alopecia patients compared to a sham device, suggesting it could be an effective treatment option.

research Clinical Effects of Non-Ablative and Ablative Fractional Lasers on Various Hair Disorders: A Case Series of 17 Patients

46 citations , March 2013 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This study found that non-ablative and/or ablative fractional lasers promoted hair growth in patients with certain uncommon hair disorders, though effectiveness varied among different conditions.

research The Nuts and Bolts of Low-Level Laser Therapy

1057 citations , November 2011 in “Annals of Biomedical Engineering”

This review discusses the applications of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in wound healing, pain reduction, and treating various conditions, but reports no new clinical results; the authors highlight the need for randomized controlled trials for serious diseases.

research Fractional Photothermolysis Laser Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss

50 citations , December 2010 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study suggests that a 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser may stimulate hair growth in both an alopecia mouse model and human subjects with male pattern hair loss, though further research is needed to determine its clinical applications.

research The Use of Low-Level Light for Hair Growth: Part I

90 citations , January 2009 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

In this study, low-level laser therapy showed no statistically significant improvements in hair growth measures, despite some patients experiencing increases in terminal hairs and shaft diameter.

research HairMax LaserComb Laser Phototherapy Device in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

160 citations , January 2009 in “Clinical Drug Investigation”

This study found that the HairMax LaserComb® significantly increased hair density and was safe and well tolerated for treating androgenetic alopecia in men compared to a sham device.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

203 citations , December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the historical developments in understanding and treating male pattern hair loss, emphasizing the role of dihydrotestosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

139 citations , June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This article reviews androgenetic alopecia in women, highlighting diagnosis criteria and noting that topical minoxidil is currently the only proven treatment for hair growth; it reports no clinical trial findings.

research Possible Mechanisms of Miniaturization During Androgenetic Alopecia or Pattern Hair Loss

116 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study suggests that miniaturization in pattern hair loss may occur abruptly and can be reversed with treatment, as supported by histologic evidence in finasteride-responsive patients.