Photobiomodulation Therapy and 5% Minoxidil in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Case Series Focusing on Hair Growth Phases Over a Shorter Timeframe

December 2025 in “ Lasers in Medical Science ”

Denise S. Rodrigues, Gabriel Lazzeri Cortez, Ediléia Bagatin, Martha S. Ribeiro

photobiomodulation therapy 5% minoxidil female pattern hair loss telogen-phase hairs red laser treatment PBMt MIN FPHL

TLDR Combining red laser therapy with minoxidil improves hair growth more effectively than minoxidil alone in women with hair loss.

This study investigated the effects of combining photobiomodulation therapy (PBMt) with 5% minoxidil (MIN) on female pattern hair loss (FPHL) over a 12.5-week period, involving 9 women aged 30 to 50 years. Participants applied MIN twice daily, and one side of their scalp received 25 sessions of red laser treatment, while the other side received sham irradiation. Results showed significant improvements in quality of life scores and hair density for both the MIN and PBMt + MIN groups. Notably, the PBMt + MIN group experienced a greater reduction in telogen-phase hairs, suggesting that PBMt may enhance MIN therapy for FPHL by reducing telogen-phase hair counts within a shorter treatment period.

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