Laser and Light-Based Therapies in the Treatment of Hair Loss

September 2019

Rachel Fayne, N. Sanchez, Antonellá Tosti

laser therapy light-based therapies fractional photothermolysis low-level laser therapy LLLT HairMax LaserComb Wnt/beta-catenin growth factors cellular activity male pattern hair loss female pattern hair loss HairMax

Studysummary Laser and light therapies can help regrow hair but need more research for best results.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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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”

This study found that 1,550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser treatment increased hair density and shaft diameter in patients with androgenetic alopecia, but did not up-regulate Wnt10A and IGF-1 mRNA expression.

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”

This study concluded that 12 sessions of fractionated thulium laser treatment improved hair density and thickness in patients with pattern hair loss, with further benefits from adding a growth factor solution post-treatment.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Review

41 citations , December 2017 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This study found that low-level laser therapy may significantly improve androgenic alopecia in both men and women, either alone or alongside treatments like minoxidil and finasteride.

research Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Lichen Planopilaris

16 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that low-level laser therapy may reduce inflammation and increase hair thickness in patients with lichen planopilaris after six months of treatment, though the small sample size limits the findings.

research Photobiomodulation Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Clinician’s Guide to Home-Use Devices Cleared by the FDA

15 citations , October 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This review identifies FDA-cleared home-use photobiomodulation devices for androgenetic alopecia treatment and highlights their excellent safety profile but notes the lack of long-term comparative studies.

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.

Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

research Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

34 citations , May 2017 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that combining low-level light therapy with topical minoxidil 5% may lead to better hair regrowth and patient satisfaction in treating female pattern hair loss compared to using each treatment alone.

research A New Path in Defining Light Parameters for Hair Growth: Discovery and Modulation of Photoreceptors in Human Hair Follicle

70 citations , April 2017 in “Lasers in surgery and medicine”

This study found that blue light at a wavelength of 453 nm promoted hair growth ex vivo, potentially through interacting with OPN3 receptors in human hair follicles.

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 An Unusual Case of Contact Dermatitis

5 citations , January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

In this case report, the authors linked acute psoriasiform contact dermatitis of the forehead and scalp to a low-laser light cap, identifying DMDE in the fabric as a likely cause.

research Photobiomodulation or Low-Level Laser Therapy

160 citations , December 2016 in “Journal of biophotonics”

This review discusses the evolution and potential of photobiomodulation therapy, highlighting its transition from skepticism to recognition in medical research; it reports no new experimental findings.

research Alopecia Areata: Good Response to Treatment with Fractional Laser in 5 Cases

9 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

This article reviews the characteristics and distribution of alopecia areata and reports no new clinical results.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Treatment Options

20 citations , January 2016 in “Intractable & Rare Diseases Research”

In this clinical experience, treating frontal fibrosing alopecia with oral finasteride, hydroxychloroquine, tacrolimus, and excimer laser was associated with optimal results in patients with active inflammation.

research Applications of the Excimer Laser

47 citations , October 2015 in “Dermatologic surgery”

This review discusses the applications of the 308-nm excimer laser in treating various dermatologic conditions and suggests treatment is generally well tolerated, but calls for larger long-term studies.

research Hair Regrowth Through Wound Healing Process After Ablative Fractional Laser Treatment in a Murine Model

26 citations , May 2015 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study concluded that ablative fractional lasers may induce hair regrowth in mice by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

research Erbium: YAG Laser (2,940 nm) Treatment Stimulates Hair Growth Through Upregulating Wnt 10b and β-Catenin Expression in C57BL/6 Mice

11 citations , January 2015 in “PubMed”

This study found that the 2,940 nm erbium: YAG laser may promote hair growth in C57BL/6 mice by speeding up transitions in the hair cycle and increasing hair follicle numbers.

research Transepidermal Drug Delivery: A New Treatment Option for Areata Alopecia?

40 citations , September 2014 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

This case series found that combining ablative fractional resurfacing and acoustic pressure ultrasound with triamcinolone treatment led to complete recovery in patients with areata alopecia.

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.

research Cold X5 Hairlaser Used to Treat Male Androgenic Alopecia and Hair Growth: An Uncontrolled Pilot Study

15 citations , February 2014 in “BMC Research Notes”

This study found that male androgenic alopecia patients using the X5 hair laser device showed a statistically significant increase in hair growth over a 26-week period.

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 Use of Low-Level Laser Therapy as Monotherapy or Concomitant Therapy for Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia

45 citations , January 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This study found that low-level laser therapy may improve hair growth in patients with androgenetic alopecia, either as a standalone treatment or combined with minoxidil or finasteride, without reported adverse reactions.

research Excimer Laser: A Module of the Alopecia Areata Common Protocol

17 citations , December 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

The excimer laser may help hair regrow in alopecia areata patients.

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 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”

This study found that treatment with a 1550 nm fractional erbium–glass laser increased hair density and thickness in women with female pattern hair loss, suggesting it may be an effective and safe option.

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.

Long Pulsed Nd: YAG Laser with Inbuilt Cool Sapphire Tip for Long-Term Hair Reduction on Type IV and V Skin: A Prospective Analysis of 200 Patients

research Long Pulsed Nd: YAG Laser with Inbuilt Cool Sapphire Tip for Long-Term Hair Reduction on Type IV and V Skin: A Prospective Analysis of 200 Patients

10 citations , January 2010 in “Indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology”

This study found that long pulsed Nd: YAG laser is a safe and effective method for hair reduction in individuals with skin types IV and V, with significant improvements observed over six sessions.

research 308-nm Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children

79 citations , September 2009 in “Pediatric dermatology”

This study found that the 308-nm Excimer laser was effective and safe for treating patchy alopecia areata in children, with hair regrowth observed in 60% of treated scalp patches.

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.

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

research 308-Nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Alopecia Areata

85 citations , November 2004 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The 308-nm excimer laser helps hair regrowth in some alopecia areata cases but not all.

research Hair Regrowth and Increased Hair Tensile Strength Using the HairMax LaserComb for Low-Level Laser Therapy

75 citations , August 2003 in “International journal of cosmetic surgery and aesthetic dermatology”

This study found that low level laser therapy with a HairMax LaserComb improved hair counts and tensile strength in patients with androgenetic alopecia, particularly in males and vertex areas.