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

TLDR Low-level light therapy can safely and effectively stimulate hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia.

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.

View this study on journals.lww.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

22 / 22 results

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”

Combining low-level light therapy and minoxidil 5% is more effective for female hair loss than using either treatment alone.

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

178 citations, April 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy effectively treat hair loss.

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

32 citations, September 2016 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

The evidence for using Low-Level Laser Therapy for hair loss is limited and more thorough research is needed.

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

35 citations, December 2014 in “Lasers in surgery and medicine”

Red light promotes hair growth by directly stimulating hair cells and improving cell communication.

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”

Red light therapy is safe and effectively increases hair growth in women with hair loss.

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”

Laser device increases hair density, safe for treating hair loss in men and women.

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

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

Red light therapy at 655 nm significantly improved hair growth in men with hair loss.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for Treatment of Hair Loss

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

Low-Level Laser Therapy is effective and safe for hair growth with minimal side effects.

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

106 citations, April 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Low-level light therapy safely improves hair growth and thickness for androgenetic alopecia.

research The Nuts and Bolts of Low-Level Laser Therapy

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

Low-level Laser Therapy may help reduce inflammation, pain, and aid healing, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and establish standard treatment guidelines.

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

23 citations, September 2011 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Red LED light helps mouse hair grow by increasing growth factors from skin cells.

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

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

The Lexington LaserComb helped regrow hair in mice with a condition similar to human hair loss.

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

46 citations, September 2010 in “Southern Medical Journal”

Hair loss treatments include medications and new methods like low-level light therapy, which may work by boosting cell activity and blood flow.

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

36 citations, December 2009 in “Skin pharmacology and physiology”

Helium-neon laser treatment can stimulate hair growth in mice.

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

90 citations, January 2009 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

Low-level laser therapy might help hair growth, but more research is needed.

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

160 citations, January 2009 in “Clinical Drug Investigation”

HairMax LaserComb® effectively promotes hair growth and stops hair loss in males with androgenetic alopecia, with no serious side effects.

research Phototherapy of Androgenetic Alopecia with Low Level Narrow Band 655-nm Red Light and 780-nm Infrared Light

2 citations, January 2007 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Red and infrared light therapy improves hair growth in balding patients.

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

68 citations, January 2007 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

Laser/light treatments for hair loss are popular but lack scientific data proving effectiveness.

research Thymosin Beta 4 Increases Hair Growth by Activation of Hair Follicle Stem Cells

98 citations, December 2003 in “The FASEB Journal”

Thymosin β4 promotes hair growth by activating stem cells in hair follicles.

research Hair Regrowth and Increased Hair Tensile Strength Using the HairMax LaserComb for Low-Level Laser Therapy

75 citations, August 2003 in “International journal of cosmetic surgery and aesthetic dermatology”

The HairMax LaserComb made hair grow more and get stronger for people with hair loss.

research Two Distinct Signaling Pathways in Hair Cycle Induction: Stat3-Dependent and Independent Pathways

73 citations, November 2000 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

There are two ways to start hair growth: one needs Stat3 and the other does not, but both need PI3K activation.

research Growth Factors in Hair Organ Development and the Hair Growth Cycle

90 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Growth factors are crucial for hair development and could help treat hair diseases.

Related Research

9 / 9 results

research Biomaterials For Treatment Of Baldness

November 2022 in “Cureus”

New biomaterial treatments for baldness show promise, with options depending on patient needs.

research Complex Approach to the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Male Persons with a Poor Prognosis of the Disease

January 2022 in “Voennaâ medicina”

A new method for treating male pattern baldness in men with a low chance of improvement was discussed.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations, November 2021 in “CRC Press eBooks”

Common hair loss in men can be treated with minoxidil or finasteride.

Comparison of QR 678 and QR 678 Neo as Monotherapy and Combination Therapy with 5% Minoxidil Solution and Oral Finasteride in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia—Which Is Better?

research Comparison of QR 678 and QR 678 Neo as Monotherapy and Combination Therapy with 5% Minoxidil Solution and Oral Finasteride in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia—Which Is Better?

3 citations, April 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Combination therapy with QR 678 Neo and 5% Minoxidil is most effective for male hair loss.

research Role of Low-Level Light Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations, January 2021 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

Low-level light therapy can safely and effectively stimulate hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Remedies: A Review

August 2014 in “Journal of drug discovery and therapeutics”

Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride can help regrow hair in androgenetic alopecia.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Clinical Features, Classification, and Treatments

103 citations, June 2007 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America”

Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.

research Minoxidil vs Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia

40 citations, September 2003 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Finasteride slightly better long-term, minoxidil faster initial results, but stopping minoxidil may cause hair loss.

research Current Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

4 citations, December 1999 in “PubMed”

Minoxidil and finasteride are promising drugs that can prevent hair loss and promote new growth in people with common hair loss condition.