Role of Low-Level Light Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2021 in “ Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery ”

Jisha S. Pillai, Venkataram Mysore

low-level light therapy androgenetic alopecia minoxidil finasteride hair regrowth randomized controlled trials LLLT AGA Rogaine Propecia

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Low Level Laser Therapy →

laser therapy for anti-inflammatory and likely insignificant hair regrowth effects

Studysummary This review indicates that low-level laser therapy may stimulate hair growth in both men and women with androgenetic alopecia, showing similar efficacy to minoxidil in some studies, but requires more robust evidence. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document reviewed the role of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common form of hair loss affecting over half of men and women. It analyzed 15 relevant studies and found that LLLT stimulated hair growth in both genders, with the largest randomized controlled trials showing significant hair regrowth. One study indicated that LLLT and minoxidil had similar efficacy, and their combination was even more effective. LLLT was considered a non-invasive, safe, and potentially effective treatment for AGA, especially for those unresponsive or intolerant to standard treatments. Combining LLLT with minoxidil and finasteride might enhance hair regrowth. However, the studies' evidence level was low, necessitating more large-scale controlled studies.

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Research cited in this study

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

Role of Low-Level Light Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia

Research cited in this study

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

research The Effectiveness of Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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

research A Critical Assessment of the Evidence for Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Hair Loss

research Visible Red Light Enhances Physiological Anagen Entry In Vivo And Has Direct And Indirect Stimulatory Effects In Vitro

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

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

research The Growth of Human Scalp Hair Mediated by Visible Red Light Laser and LED Sources in Males

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for Treatment of Hair Loss

research Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Multicenter Trial

research The Nuts and Bolts of Low-Level Laser Therapy

research Narrow-Band Red LED Light Promotes Mouse Hair Growth Through Paracrine Growth Factors From Dermal Papilla

research Effects of the Lexington LaserComb on Hair Regrowth in the C3H/HeJ Mouse Model of Alopecia Areata

research Types of Hair Loss and Treatment Options, Including the Novel Low-Level Light Therapy and Its Proposed Mechanism

research Effect of Helium-Neon Laser Irradiation on Hair Follicle Growth Cycle of Swiss Albino Mice

research The Use of Low-Level Light for Hair Growth: Part I

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

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research The Current Role of Laser and Light Sources in the Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

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