Low‐level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss
August 2013
in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”
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 onlinelibrary.wiley.com →
Cited in this study
research Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device–Controlled Multicenter Trial
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 (CIA)
Low-level laser treatment helped rats regrow hair faster after chemotherapy.
research Minoxidil Use in Dermatology, Side Effects and Recent Patents
Minoxidil treats hair loss, promotes growth, has side effects, and has recent patents.
research Alopecia: A review of laser and light therapies
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 (Light) Therapy
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
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
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
Hair loss treatments include medications and new methods like low-level light therapy, which may work by boosting cell activity and blood flow.
research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
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
HairMax LaserComb® effectively promotes hair growth and stops hair loss in males with androgenetic alopecia, with no serious side effects.
research Medical treatments for male and female pattern hair loss
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.
research Hair follicle stem cells: Walking the maze
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
Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.
research Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.
research Thymosin β4increases hair growth by activation of hair follicle stem cells
Thymosin β4 promotes hair growth by activating stem cells in hair follicles.
research Control of hair growth and follicle size by VEGF-mediated angiogenesis
VEGF helps hair grow and determines follicle size by increasing blood vessel growth.
Related
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
Finasteride and minoxidil mix works better for hair growth than minoxidil alone, with similar safety.
research Тіе Modern treatment of androgenetic alopecia
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.
research Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients
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
MorrF improves hair growth better than minoxidil alone.