The Role of Laser and Energy-Assisted Drug Delivery in the Treatment of Alopecia

February 2024 in “ Lasers in Medical Science ”

Eliza Balazic, Ahava Muskat, Yana Kost, Joel L. Cohen, Kseniya Kobets

laser and energy-assisted drug delivery alopecia areata androgenetic alopecia pattern hair loss ablative fractional lasers topical corticosteroids minoxidil non-ablative lasers radiofrequency microneedling microneedling LEADD AA AGA PHL AFL NAFL RFNM

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Microneedling →

technique to create small wounds in skin to activate collagen production and hair growth

Studysummary This review discusses laser and energy-assisted drug delivery as a treatment for alopecia and concludes that although all studies show positive effects, some reports indicate no superiority over existing monotherapies. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The review evaluates the use of laser and energy-assisted drug delivery (LEADD) in treating alopecia, specifically alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA)/pattern hair loss (PHL). The strongest evidence for LEADD in alopecia treatment involves the use of ablative fractional lasers (AFL) with topical corticosteroids. Minoxidil, combined with all devices (AFL, non-ablative lasers (NAFL), and radiofrequency microneedling (RFNM)), showed a positive effect. However, the superiority of LEADD over monotherapy or microneedling is not consistently proven. All studies showed improvement in alopecia, suggesting that laser monotherapy could be an effective treatment for hair growth. The review concludes that LEADD is a rapidly emerging treatment modality for AGA and AA, but larger, well-designed studies are needed for more definitive conclusions.

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Research cited in this study

15 / 15 results

research Transepidermal Delivery of Triamcinolone Acetonide or Platelet Rich Plasma Using Either Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser or Microneedling in Treatment of Alopecia Areata

October 2022 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual”

This study found that micro-needling with triamcinolone acetonide led to the best treatment outcomes for alopecia areata compared to other methods of trans-epidermal drug delivery.

research Comparative Study Between Topical Application of Triamcinolone Acetonide After Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Versus Microneedling in the Treatment of Resistant Alopecia Areata

October 2022 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study found no significant difference in the overall effectiveness of fractional CO2 laser plus triamcinolone acetonide versus microneedling plus the same treatment for resistant alopecia areata, though initial hair regrowth appeared more frequently in the laser group.

research Evaluating the Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma and 1550 nm Fractional Laser in Combination and Alone for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

October 2022 in “Journal of Drugs in Dermatology”

This study observed that both PRP and 1550 nm fractional erbium-glass laser improved AGA, with greater hair density in patients receiving the combination therapy and no side effects reported.

Evaluation of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Alone Versus Its Combination With Betamethasone Valerate in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Clinical and Dermoscopic Study

research Evaluation of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Alone Versus Its Combination With Betamethasone Valerate in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Clinical and Dermoscopic Study

3 citations , September 2022 in “Archives of dermatological research”

In this study, fractional CO2 laser treatment for alopecia areata was found to significantly increase terminal hair and patient satisfaction compared to betamethasone valerate cream alone, highlighting its efficacy and safety both as a standalone and combined treatment.

A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser with Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations , January 2022 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This pilot study reported significant improvement in hair restoration and patient satisfaction with the use of fractional carbon dioxide laser followed by platelet-rich plasma, showing greater hair density increases using higher laser pulse energy settings in individuals with androgenetic alopecia.

$Successful Response to a Combination of Intralesional Methotrexate and Fractional CO2 Laser in Refractory Alopecia Areata: Case Report$

research Successful Response to a Combination of Intralesional Methotrexate and Fractional CO2 Laser in Refractory Alopecia Areata: Case Report

2 citations , January 2022 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This study presents two cases where intralesional methotrexate combined with ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment resulted in excellent outcomes for refractory alopecia areata.

research Non-Ablative Er:YAG Laser Is an Effective Tool in the Treatment Arsenal of Androgenetic Alopecia

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

This study found that non-ablative Er:YAG laser treatment, alone or combined with other therapies, effectively improved hair quality and reduced AGA grade in patients, with high satisfaction reported and no adverse reactions.

research The Effect of Conditioned Media From Human Adipocyte-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Androgenetic Alopecia After Nonablative Fractional Laser Treatment

10 citations , August 2020 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

In this study, human ADSC-CM treatment following nonablative fractional laser significantly increased hair density and volume in patients with androgenetic alopecia without any reported adverse effects.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Nonablative Fractional Laser Combined with Topical Minoxidil

8 citations , June 2019 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study observed that combining nonablative fractional laser treatment with topical minoxidil led to hair regrowth in Chinese alopecia areata patients, noting complete regrowth in some patients and no relapse in the majority at a one-year follow-up, without reported side effects.

A Randomized, Investigator-Blinded, Controlled, Split-Scalp Study of the Efficacy and Safety of a 1550-nm Fractional Erbium-Glass Laser, Used in Combination with Topical 5% Minoxidil Versus 5% Minoxidil Alone, for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Investigator-Blinded, Controlled, Split-Scalp Study of the Efficacy and Safety of a 1550-nm Fractional Erbium-Glass Laser, Used in Combination with Topical 5% Minoxidil Versus 5% Minoxidil Alone, for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

29 citations , April 2019 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This study found that combining fractional erbium-glass laser therapy with topical minoxidil significantly improved hair density and diameter in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to using minoxidil alone over a 24-week period, with no serious adverse events reported.

research The Effect of the Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser on Improving Minoxidil Delivery for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

6 citations , January 2019 in “Journal of lasers in medical sciences”

This study found that using a fractional CO2 laser in combination with minoxidil significantly increased hair count and thickness in Egyptian men with androgenetic alopecia.

A Pilot Split-Scalp Study of Combined Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Treating Male Pattern Hair Loss

research A Pilot Split-Scalp Study of Combined Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Treating Male Pattern Hair Loss

25 citations , June 2018 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that combining fractional radiofrequency microneedling with 5% topical minoxidil improved hair count and thickness more than minoxidil alone in Chinese men with male pattern hair loss.

research Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of a 1927-nm Fractionated Thulium Laser on Pattern Hair Loss: An Evaluator-Blinded, Split-Scalp Study

21 citations , January 2018 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This study concluded that 12 sessions of fractionated thulium laser treatment improved hair density and thickness in patients with pattern hair loss, with further benefits from adding a growth factor solution post-treatment.

research Enhancing Hair Growth in Male Androgenetic Alopecia by a Combination of Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy and Hair Growth Factors

26 citations , May 2017 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

This study found that combining ablative fractional CO₂ laser therapy with hair growth factors significantly increased hair density in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to using growth factors alone.

research Transepidermal Drug Delivery: A New Treatment Option for Areata Alopecia?

40 citations , September 2014 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy”

This case series found that combining ablative fractional resurfacing and acoustic pressure ultrasound with triamcinolone treatment led to complete recovery in patients with areata alopecia.