Symposium 6-4: Recent Progress in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Lasers and Devices

Male pattern hair loss, affecting about 50% of both sexes, has traditionally been treated with FDA-approved medications like finasteride and minoxidil. However, there has been growing interest in light and laser treatments, such as the FDA-approved HairMax LaserComb, LED, and low-level light therapy (LLLT). These devices aim to increase scalp blood flow to stimulate hair growth. Pilot clinical trials have shown that fractional photothermolysis can significantly increase hair density and thickness. Various lasers, including excimer, helium-neon, 1,550-nm fractional erbium-glass, and 904-nm pulsed infrared diode lasers, have been tested with some success. Dermatologists, however, caution that more scientific data is needed before these treatments can be widely recommended.