Low-Level Light Therapy and Minoxidil Combination Treatment in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature

December 2022 in “ Skin appendage disorders ”

Michael Kaiser, Stephanie Krause Almeida, Mario Rodriguez, Najy Issa, Naiem T. Issa, Joaquin J. Jimenez

low-level light therapy minoxidil androgenetic alopecia topical minoxidil hair regrowth hair density LLLT Rogaine AGA

TLDR Combining low-level light therapy with minoxidil helps hair regrowth better than using minoxidil alone, especially early on.

The review analyzed five randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of combining low-level light therapy (LLLT) with topical minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The studies used wavelengths of 600–1,100 nm and treatment durations of at least 16 weeks. Results showed that combination therapy of LLLT and minoxidil (either 2% or 5%) was either superior or equivalent to minoxidil monotherapy in promoting hair regrowth. Some studies indicated that the combination therapy improved hair density more than monotherapy, especially in the early months, but this advantage diminished by the end of the study periods. Overall, the combination therapy appears to offer some early benefits over monotherapy.

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