Non-Ablative Fractional Laser as an Emerging Treatment for Alopecia Areata

January 2019 in “ Clinical Dermatology Open Access Journal ”

Junqueira LA

non-ablative fractional laser alopecia areata intralesional corticosteroids cytokines growth factors epidermal repair anagen entry laser therapy steroid injections

Studysummary This report describes two cases of extensive alopecia areata successfully treated with a combination of intralesional corticosteroids and fractionated laser, suggesting the potential of laser treatment to promote hair regrowth. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study reported on two cases of extensive alopecia areata treated with a combination of intralesional corticosteroids and non-ablative fractional laser therapy. Both patients, a 24-year-old female with alopecia totalis and a 59-year-old female with extensive patchy alopecia, showed significant hair regrowth after several treatment sessions. The laser treatment created controlled injuries that stimulated hair regrowth through changes in cytokines and growth factors, rapid epidermal repair, and premature anagen entry. The study concluded that this combination therapy might be a safe and effective treatment for extensive alopecia areata, though further randomized controlled trials are needed to establish optimal protocols.

View this study on doi.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Alopecia Areata: Good Response to Treatment with Fractional Laser in 5 Cases

9 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

This article reviews the characteristics and distribution of alopecia areata and reports no new clinical results.

research Clinical Effects of Non-Ablative and Ablative Fractional Lasers on Various Hair Disorders: A Case Series of 17 Patients

46 citations , March 2013 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This study found that non-ablative and/or ablative fractional lasers promoted hair growth in patients with certain uncommon hair disorders, though effectiveness varied among different conditions.

research Recent Advances in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hair Loss Disease Alopecia Areata

106 citations , January 2013 in “Clinical and Developmental Immunology”

This review discusses the pathogenesis of alopecia areata, highlighting the role of immune privilege collapse in hair follicles but reports no clinical results.

research Alopecia: A Review of Laser and Light Therapies

40 citations , February 2012 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

This review discusses cases and research on paradoxical hair growth after laser hair removal and explores laser and light therapies for treating alopecia, but reports no new results.

research Fractional Photothermolysis Laser Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss

50 citations , December 2010 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study suggests that a 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass laser may stimulate hair growth in both an alopecia mouse model and human subjects with male pattern hair loss, though further research is needed to determine its clinical applications.

research Wnt-Dependent De Novo Hair Follicle Regeneration in Adult Mouse Skin After Wounding

January 2008 in “The Year book of dermatology”

After skin injury, adult mice can grow new hair follicles, and this process can be increased or stopped by manipulating Wnt signals.

research Paradoxical Effect After IPL Photoepilation

11 citations , November 2002 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that IPL treatment in females with facial hirsutism can trigger hair growth in untreated areas near those that undergo photoepilation, especially in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.