Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature

January 2020 in “ Skin appendage disorders ”

Andjela Egger, Sydney R. Resnik, Divya J. Aickara, Eric L. Maranda, Michael Kaiser, Tongyu C. Wikramanayake, Joaquin J. Jimenez

low-level laser therapy LLLT male pattern hair loss female pattern hair loss androgenetic alopecia AGA terminal hair counts hair growth hair coverage laser therapy pattern hair loss hair loss hair regrowth

TLDR Low-level laser therapy safely and effectively improves hair growth and coverage for male and female pattern hair loss.

This document is a review of 10 controlled clinical trials that evaluated the safety and efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for male and female pattern hair loss. The studies used different devices, laser parameters, and regimens, but all found significant increases in terminal hair counts, hair growth, and hair coverage in treatment groups. The studies suggest that LLLT devices are a safe and effective form of treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with most subjects reporting only mild side effects that resolved within 2 weeks. However, the authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind LLLT and to optimize treatment protocols.

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Research cited in this study

23 / 23 results

Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Thai Men and Women: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Thai Men and Women: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

45 citations , December 2018 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

LLLT promotes hair growth and improves hair density safely in men and women.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Self-Comparison, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

research Efficacy and Safety of Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Self-Comparison, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

31 citations , June 2018 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Low-level light therapy safely improves hair coverage, thickness, and count in androgenetic alopecia patients.

research Photobiomodulation Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Clinician’s Guide to Home-Use Devices Cleared by the FDA

15 citations , October 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy”

FDA-cleared devices may help treat hair loss, but more research needed; consult dermatologist before use.

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”

The laser scanner device was more effective at increasing hair density than the laser hat in treating androgenic alopecia.

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

33 citations , March 2017 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Low-level laser therapy effectively treats female hair loss, increasing hair count by 51%.

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 Utilizing Electromagnetic Radiation for Hair Growth

12 citations , October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Low-Level Laser Therapy and other light treatments for hair growth lack strong evidence and need more research.

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 Automated Digital Image Analysis (TrichoScan) for Human Hair Growth Analysis: Ease Versus Errors

21 citations , January 2010 in “International Journal of Trichology”

TrichoScan often makes mistakes and needs improvement for correct hair growth analysis.

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 Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

212 citations , September 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.

research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

102 citations , February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal”

One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.

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 Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations , August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

research The Psychosocial Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Research Literature

180 citations , September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects self-esteem and quality of life; treatments can help.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.

research The Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

192 citations , June 1992 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in men.

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5 / 5 results

research Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature

11 citations , January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Low-level laser therapy safely and effectively improves hair growth and coverage for male and female pattern hair loss.

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Thai Men and Women: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

45 citations , December 2018 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

LLLT promotes hair growth and improves hair density safely in men and women.

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

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

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a safe and effective treatment for common hair loss, but more research is needed to find the best power and wavelength for treatment.

research Low-Level Laser/Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations , September 2014 in “PubMed”

Low-level laser or light devices could be a cheaper, side-effect free treatment for hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

A Randomized, Single-Blind Trial of 5% Minoxidil Foam Once Daily Versus 2% Minoxidil Solution Twice Daily in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

research A Randomized, Single-Blind Trial of 5% Minoxidil Foam Once Daily Versus 2% Minoxidil Solution Twice Daily in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

100 citations , June 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil foam once daily works as well as 2% minoxidil solution twice daily for female hair growth and is more convenient.

Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature

Research cited in this study

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Thai Men and Women: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

research Efficacy and Safety of Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Self-Comparison, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

research Photobiomodulation Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Clinician’s Guide to Home-Use Devices Cleared by the FDA

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

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

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 Utilizing Electromagnetic Radiation for Hair Growth

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

research Automated Digital Image Analysis (TrichoScan) for Human Hair Growth Analysis: Ease Versus Errors

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

research Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Clinical Features, Classification, and Treatments

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

research The Psychosocial Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Research Literature

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

research The Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

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research Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature

research Low-Level Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Thai Men and Women: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device-Controlled Trial

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

research Low-Level Laser/Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Single-Blind Trial of 5% Minoxidil Foam Once Daily Versus 2% Minoxidil Solution Twice Daily in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women