Supplementary Material for: Lasers and Energy-Based Devices in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    May 2026 in “ Figshare ”
    figshare admin karger, Alahmadi M., Alghamdi S., Albyali S., Alharbi R., Alanazi D., Altamimi A., Aldahash R., Alharithy R.
    From the encyclopedia
    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    Platelet-Rich Plasma →

    growth factors taken from your blood and injected into your scalp to stimulate hair

    Low Level Laser Therapy →

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

    Image
    Studysummary This study reports that low-level light therapy and fractional lasers are effective and safe treatments for androgenetic alopecia, with more pronounced results when combined with other therapies. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of lasers and energy-based devices (EBDs) in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), involving 3,298 patients across 37 studies. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) increased hair density by 18.56 hairs/cm² and shaft thickness by 10.62 µm compared to sham treatments. Fractional laser monotherapy showed a more substantial increase in density (102.23 hairs/cm²) and a moderate increase in thickness (5.93 µm). Combination protocols with fractional lasers and agents like minoxidil, PRP, or growth factors resulted in even greater improvements in hair density (+33.6 hairs/cm²) and thickness (+11.22 µm), with global photographic improvement rates of 77.2% for monotherapy and 95.3% for combination treatments. Adverse events were mild and transient, indicating that LLLT and fractional lasers are effective and safe for AGA, especially when combined with other treatments.
    Discuss this study in the Community →