Photobiomodulation for Alopecia: Mechanisms of Action

January 2024 in “ Updates in clinical dermatology ”

Michael R. Hamblin

photobiomodulation alopecia androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata cytochrome c oxidase low-level laser therapy LED therapy ATP production cellular metabolism hair follicle cycling inflammation reduction randomized controlled trials minoxidil microneedling PBM LLLT LEDs Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Microneedling →

technique to create small wounds in skin to activate collagen production and hair growth

Studysummary Photobiomodulation effectively stimulates hair growth and reduces hair loss.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviews photobiomodulation (PBM) as a treatment for alopecia, highlighting its ability to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss through mechanisms like enhancing cellular activity and activating cytochrome c oxidase. PBM, using low-level lasers or LEDs, increases ATP production and improves cellular metabolism, showing efficacy in treating both androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. It also reduces inflammation and promotes hair follicle cycling. Studies, including randomized controlled trials, support PBM's effectiveness, and its combination with treatments like minoxidil or microneedling shows enhanced results. PBM is a promising non-invasive option for hair loss, with further research needed to refine treatment parameters and understand long-term effects.

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research Photobiomodulation With a Continuous Wave Red Laser (660 Nm) as Monotherapy for Adult Alopecia Areata: A Case Presentation

July 2023 in “Journal of lasers in medical sciences”

This case report describes the first use of photobiomodulation therapy with a continuous wave red laser (660 nm) as monotherapy for alopecia areata, resulting in significant hair regrowth within 7 days, though further research is needed for conclusive evidence.

research The Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Photobiomodulation Therapy and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Androgenetic Alopecia

November 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

In this study, combining photobiomodulation therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy over 24 weeks significantly increased hair density in androgenetic alopecia patients compared to a sham device control, with minimal side effects reported.

research Photobiomodulation Effectiveness in Treating Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations , June 2022 in “Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery”

In this study, photobiomodulation notably increased hair density in men with androgenetic alopecia after 5 weeks, though no further gains were observed with additional sessions.

research Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia Using PRP to Target Dysregulated Mechanisms and Pathways

5 citations , March 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

This review analyzed 17 recent clinical trials on platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia but reports no new clinical results; the authors seek a consensus on optimal PRP use.

Low Level Laser Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Randomized Controlled Intra-Patient Comparative Study

research Low Level Laser Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Randomized Controlled Intra-Patient Comparative Study

1 citations , January 2022 in “Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences”

This study observed that PRP treatment resulted in greater improvement in hair thickness and density in alopecia areata patients compared to LLLT, with benefits sustained over 12 weeks.

research Regenerative Biotechnologies in Plastic Surgery: A Multicentric, Retrospective, Case-Series Study on the Use of Microneedling with Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy as a Hair Growth Boost in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia

4 citations , December 2021 in “Applied sciences”

This study observed that a combination of micro-needling and low-level light/laser therapy significantly increased hair density in patients with mild to moderate androgenic alopecia, showing an increase of 12 hairs/cm² after 16 weeks, compared to baseline.

Efficacy of Minoxidil Combined With Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Double-Blind Half-Head Controlled Trial

research Efficacy of Minoxidil Combined With Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Double-Blind Half-Head Controlled Trial

May 2021 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that combining photobiomodulation with topical minoxidil did not produce additional hair growth benefits in males with androgenetic alopecia compared to using minoxidil alone.

Factors Influencing the Effect of Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Analysis of Summary-Level Data

research Factors Influencing the Effect of Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Analysis of Summary-Level Data

2 citations , August 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study found that increasing energy fluence, session duration, and using pulsed irradiation significantly enhance hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia when using low-level laser therapy, while the number of diodes does not affect outcomes.

research Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy for Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

March 2020 in “Journal of Laser Applications”

This meta-analysis reported that photobiomodulation therapy may improve hair density and stimulate hair growth in patients with androgenic alopecia compared to sham treatments, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

research Autologous Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma (AA-PRP) and Non-Activated (A-PRP) in Hair Growth: A Retrospective, Blinded, Randomized Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia

44 citations , February 2020 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy”

In this study, autologous non-activated platelet-rich plasma was associated with greater hair re-growth than autologous activated platelet-rich plasma over long-term follow-up.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

39 citations , March 2019 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study's meta-analysis reported that PRP injections significantly increased hair density compared to baseline and placebo in androgenetic alopecia patients, supporting its use as a beneficial treatment.

research The Role of Photobiomodulation When Associated with Microneedling in Female Pattern Hair Loss

7 citations , March 2019 in “Medicine”

This protocol outlines a study aiming to determine if combining 660 nm red laser photobiomodulation and microneedling increases hair density in female pattern hair loss, but it reports no results yet.

Comparative Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Adult Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

research Comparative Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Adult Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

21 citations , January 2019 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This review found that low-level laser therapy significantly increased hair density in adults with androgenic alopecia compared to sham treatments, with greater effects observed at lower treatment frequencies.

research Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Preparation and Composition for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

37 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This review analyzed clinical trial protocols for platelet-rich plasma preparation in hair loss treatment, finding inconsistent and insufficient reporting that complicates comparison and efficacy determination.

research Systematic Review of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Adult Androgenic Alopecia

13 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This study evaluated the use of low-level laser therapy for treating androgenic alopecia in adults, finding it a promising and safe at-home option for stimulating hair growth compared to sham devices, though further research is needed to confirm its clinical effectiveness.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: A Review

41 citations , December 2017 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This study found that low-level laser therapy may significantly improve androgenic alopecia in both men and women, either alone or alongside treatments like minoxidil and finasteride.

research A Review of Monochromatic Light Devices for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

28 citations , December 2017 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This review assessed evidence on laser therapies for alopecia areata, reporting that the 308-nm excimer laser showed hair regrowth in several studies, while more research is needed for other laser types.

research Comparison of the Efficacy of Homologous and Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Androgenic Alopecia

24 citations , November 2017 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery”

In this study, researchers found that homologous PRP (h-PRP) significantly increased hair density more than both nonactivated (n-PRP) and activated (a-PRP) autologous PRP in patients with androgenetic alopecia, suggesting h-PRP as a potentially more effective treatment option for hair loss.

Comparison of the Effects of 665 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Hat Versus a Combination of 665 nm and 808 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Scanner on Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia

research Comparison of the Effects of 665 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Hat Versus a Combination of 665 nm and 808 nm Low-Level Diode Laser Scanner on Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia

24 citations , May 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

This study reported that a new laser scanner using 655 nm red and 808 nm infrared lasers significantly improved hair density in patients with androgenic alopecia compared to both a laser hat and no treatment, without observable adverse effects.

Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

research Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

34 citations , May 2017 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that combining low-level light therapy with topical minoxidil 5% may lead to better hair regrowth and patient satisfaction in treating female pattern hair loss compared to using each treatment alone.

research A New Path in Defining Light Parameters for Hair Growth: Discovery and Modulation of Photoreceptors in Human Hair Follicle

70 citations , April 2017 in “Lasers in surgery and medicine”

This study found that blue light at a wavelength of 453 nm promoted hair growth ex vivo, potentially through interacting with OPN3 receptors in human hair follicles.

research Novel Approach to Treating Androgenetic Alopecia in Females With Photobiomodulation (Low-Level Laser Therapy)

33 citations , March 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this clinical study, low-level laser therapy using the HANDI-DOME LASER device increased hair counts by 51% compared to controls, indicating its potential as a safe and effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia in women aged 18 to 60.

Promotion of Anagen, Increased Hair Density, and Reduction of Hair Fall in a Clinical Setting Following Identification of FGF5-Inhibiting Compounds via a Novel 2-Stage Process

research Promotion of Anagen, Increased Hair Density, and Reduction of Hair Fall in a Clinical Setting Following Identification of FGF5-Inhibiting Compounds via a Novel 2-Stage Process

27 citations , February 2017 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

In this study, a topical formulation with compounds from the monoterpenoid family significantly improved hair growth indicators like anagen:telogen ratio, hair fall, and visual hair density in men and women with pattern hair loss.

Various Wavelengths of Light-Emitting Diode Light Regulate the Proliferation of Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Follicles via Wnt/β-Catenin and the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathways

research Various Wavelengths of Light-Emitting Diode Light Regulate the Proliferation of Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Follicles via Wnt/β-Catenin and the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathways

33 citations , January 2017 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This study suggests that LED light may promote the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells through the activation of specific signaling pathways.

research Mechanisms and Applications of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Photobiomodulation

520 citations , January 2017 in “AIMS biophysics”

This review discusses the effects of photobiomodulation, particularly its potential to reduce inflammation in various conditions, but it does not report new clinical findings.

research Platelet-Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Indications, Technique, and Potential Benefits

18 citations , November 2016 in “Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery”

This review discusses platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia and reports beneficial effects on hair density and quality, but suggests more rigorous studies are needed for conclusive evidence.

research The Role of Lymphocytes in the Development and Treatment of Alopecia Areata

60 citations , September 2015 in “Expert Review of Clinical Immunology”

This study suggests that CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes play a crucial role in the development of alopecia areata, based on observations in rodent models that mimic human autoimmune disease.

research Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy Versus Photobiomodulation Therapy

433 citations , April 2015 in “Photomedicine and laser surgery”

This editorial discusses the terminology and distinctions between Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy and Photobiomodulation Therapy but reports no new clinical findings.

research Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

74 citations , January 2015 in “Asian Journal of Transfusion Science”

This study found that platelet-rich plasma injections led to improvements in hair counts, thickness, and strength in patients with androgenic alopecia, showing promise as an effective treatment with no major adverse effects.

research The Growth of Human Scalp Hair in Females Using Visible Red Light Laser and LED Sources

81 citations , August 2014 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that low-level laser therapy significantly increased hair growth in women with androgenic alopecia, achieving a 37% greater increase in hair counts compared to placebo.

Efficacy and Safety of a Low-Level Laser Device in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Multicenter, Randomized, Sham Device-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

research Efficacy and Safety of a Low-Level Laser Device in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Multicenter, Randomized, Sham Device-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

147 citations , January 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This study found that low-level laser treatment with the HairMax Lasercomb significantly increased terminal hair density in both men and women with pattern hair loss, with no serious adverse events reported.

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This review discusses clinical features, differential diagnosis, and treatments for female pattern hair loss, emphasizing the use of 2% topical Minoxidil and exploring alternative off-label therapies.

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117 citations , September 2013 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that low level laser therapy at 655 nm significantly increased hair counts in males with androgenetic alopecia.

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165 citations , August 2013 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This review discusses the potential mechanisms and evidence supporting low-level laser therapy for stimulating hair growth in men and women, while noting its safety and effectiveness but needing further study on specific parameters.

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21 citations , August 2013 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This review discusses the mixed evidence and high risk of bias in studies on low-level light therapy for treating androgenetic alopecia and calls for rigorous randomized controlled trials to assess its efficacy.

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106 citations , April 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that low-level light therapy significantly increased hair density and diameter in androgenetic alopecia patients compared to a sham device, suggesting it could be an effective treatment option.

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

In a rat model of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, this study found that low-level laser treatment significantly accelerated hair regrowth without affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy.

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

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51 citations , December 2011 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This review discusses updated treatment guidelines for alopecia areata in Japan, highlighting new options like corticosteroid pulse therapy, but reports no new clinical results.

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

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

This study found that using a low-level laser comb led to hair regrowth in a mouse model of alopecia areata, while sham-treated mice showed no hair regrowth.

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

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