Laser-Based Interventions For Scarring Alopecia: A Meta-Analytic Review Of Clinical Outcomes
April 2026
in “
International Journal of Research in Dermatology
”
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Studysummary This meta-analysis found that laser-based therapies showed promising clinical benefits in treating scarring alopecias, such as disease stabilization and symptom improvement, but highlighted the need for high-quality randomized controlled trials due to serious risk of bias and methodological limitations in existing studies.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This meta-analysis reviewed the effectiveness of laser-based therapies for scarring alopecias, including conditions like lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia. The study included 7 non-randomized clinical studies with a total of 51 patients. Various laser therapies, such as low-level laser therapy and excimer lasers, showed clinical or trichoscopic improvement in all studies, with two studies reporting complete or near-complete disease remission. No significant adverse events were noted. However, the studies had a high risk of bias due to small sample sizes and lack of controls, indicating a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials to confirm these promising findings.
