Lichen Planopilaris and Low-Level Light Therapy: Four Case Reports and Review of the Literature About Low-Level Light Therapy and Lichenoid Dermatosis

February 2020 in “ Dermatology and therapy ”

Michael Randolph, Waleed Al Salhi, Antonella Tosti

Lichen planopilaris scarring alopecia Low-Level Light Therapy LLLT inflammation hair regrowth LPP light therapy

TLDR Low-Level Light Therapy significantly reduced inflammation and promoted hair regrowth in patients with Lichen planopilaris.

In 2020, a study was conducted on four female patients, aged between 28 and 65, suffering from Lichen planopilaris (LPP), a type of scarring alopecia. Despite previous systemic treatment, their LPP remained active. The study found that Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) significantly reduced inflammation, eliminated symptoms, and promoted hair regrowth without side effects. The LLLT treatment duration varied from 6 to 18 months, with daily use of the device. All patients showed improvement after 3 months. However, the study concluded that larger controlled studies are needed to fully understand the benefits of LLLT on LPP treatment.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Lichen Planopilaris

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

Low-level laser therapy may reduce symptoms and increase hair thickness in lichen planopilaris patients.

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Low-dose naltrexone helps reduce symptoms and slow down lichen planopilaris without side effects.

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Treatments for permanent hair loss from scarring aim to stop further loss, not regrow hair, and vary by condition, with partial success common.

research A Case Series of 46 Patients With Lichen Planopilaris: Demographics, Clinical Evaluation, and Treatment Experience

47 citations, June 2014 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Most treatments for lichen planopilaris were found to be generally unsatisfactory.

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220 citations, June 2013 in “The Journal of Pathology”

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160 citations, March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

New insights show Lichen Planopilaris is a rare, scarring hair loss condition, hard to treat, mainly affecting middle-aged women, and significantly impacts mental health.

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