Low-Level Laser Therapy for Treatment of Hair Loss

August 2013 in “ Lasers in Surgery and Medicine ”

Pinar Avci, Gaurav Gupta, J. E. Clark, Norbert Wikonkál, Michael R. Hamblin

Low-Level Laser Therapy LLLT hair loss Androgenetic Alopecia Alopecia Areata epidermal stem cells anagen phase minoxidil FDA approval laser therapy AGA AA Rogaine

TLDR Low-Level Laser Therapy is effective and safe for hair growth with minimal side effects.

The 2013 document reviews evidence supporting Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) as a treatment for hair loss, including its potential mechanisms and clinical trial results. It highlights that LLLT has been shown to stimulate hair growth in animal models and in humans with different types of alopecia, such as Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) and Alopecia Areata (AA). Clinical trials, including one with 110 male AGA patients, have reported positive outcomes like increased hair density. The therapy works by stimulating epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle and inducing the anagen phase of hair growth. While LLLT is considered safe and effective, with minimal side effects, more research is needed to determine optimal treatment parameters. The document also compares LLLT to other hair growth treatments like minoxidil and discusses the FDA approval of LLLT devices for hair loss treatment.

View this study on europepmc.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

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”

Low-level light therapy safely improves hair growth and thickness for androgenetic alopecia.

research Low-Level Laser Treatment Accelerated Hair Regrowth in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

43 citations, June 2012 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

Low-level laser treatment helped rats regrow hair faster after chemotherapy.

research Minoxidil Use in Dermatology, Side Effects, and Recent Patents

152 citations, April 2012 in “Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery”

Minoxidil treats hair loss, promotes growth, has side effects, and has recent patents.

research Alopecia: A Review of Laser and Light Therapies

40 citations, February 2012 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

Lasers might help hair growth in some alopecia cases, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.

research The Nuts and Bolts of Low-Level Laser Therapy

1057 citations, November 2011 in “Annals of Biomedical Engineering”

Low-level Laser Therapy may help reduce inflammation, pain, and aid healing, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and establish standard treatment guidelines.

research Home-Use Laser and Light Devices for the Skin: An Update

19 citations, September 2011 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

At-home laser and light skin devices are less effective than professional ones, with limited scientific evaluation, but some show promise for wrinkles, hair growth, and acne.

research Effects of the Lexington LaserComb on Hair Regrowth in the C3H/HeJ Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata

81 citations, July 2011 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

The Lexington LaserComb helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human hair loss.

research Types of Hair Loss and Treatment Options, Including the Novel Low-Level Light Therapy and Its Proposed Mechanism

46 citations, September 2010 in “Southern Medical Journal”

Hair loss treatments include medications and new methods like low-level light therapy, which may work by boosting cell activity and blood flow.

research Effect of Helium-Neon Laser Irradiation on Hair Follicle Growth Cycle of Swiss Albino Mice

36 citations, December 2009 in “Skin pharmacology and physiology”

Helium-neon laser treatment can stimulate hair growth in mice.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Emotional Distress and Mitigation Strategies

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

Scalp cooling might reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, but evidence is weak and other treatments are being tested.

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

160 citations, January 2009 in “Clinical Drug Investigation”

HairMax LaserComb® effectively promotes hair growth and stops hair loss in males with androgenetic alopecia, with no serious side effects.

research The Use of Low-Level Light for Hair Growth: Part I

90 citations, January 2009 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

Low-level laser therapy might help hair growth, but more research is needed.

research Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

212 citations, September 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.

research Hair Follicle Stem Cells: Walking the Maze

165 citations, June 2007 in “European Journal of Cell Biology”

Hair follicle stem cells are key for hair and skin regeneration, can be reprogrammed, and have potential therapeutic uses, but also carry a risk of cancer.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Clinical Features, Classification, and Treatments

103 citations, June 2007 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America”

Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

151 citations, February 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.

research Thymosin Beta 4 Increases Hair Growth by Activation of Hair Follicle Stem Cells

98 citations, December 2003 in “The FASEB Journal”

Thymosin β4 promotes hair growth by activating stem cells in hair follicles.

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”

The HairMax LaserComb made hair grow more and get stronger for people with hair loss.

research Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis

520 citations, February 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

VEGF helps hair grow and determines follicle size by increasing blood vessel growth.

Related Research

5 / 5 results

A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations, July 2018 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Finasteride and minoxidil mix works better for hair growth than minoxidil alone, with similar safety.

research The Modern Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

February 2017 in “Vestnik dermatologii i venerologii”

Hair loss can be treated with common methods like minoxidil and finasteride, but new potential treatments include growth factors, cytokines, and platelet-rich plasma injections.

Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients

research Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients

32 citations, June 2015 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Finasteride and minoxidil together work best for male hair loss.

research A New Topical Formulation of Minoxidil and Finasteride Improves Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

5 citations, January 2015 in “Journal of clinical & experimental dermatology research”

MorrF improves hair growth better than minoxidil alone.

research Effectivity of Minoxidil as a Treatment for Alopecia Areata

January 2014 in “DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)”

Minoxidil can effectively treat patchy hair loss by stimulating hair growth.