Light-based therapies in the treatment of alopecia

Abstract

All types of alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and lichen planopilaris/frontal fibrosing alopecia, affect over half of men and women. Though a common dermatological experience, many patients with visible hair loss report significant psychological and social distress and, consequently seek treatment. Current existing therapeutic regimens have proven to be efficacious, though may result in various adverse effects and require lifelong use. Laser and light-based therapies have been emerging in the current literature as a safe and alternative treatment, but their utilization for treating alopecia is poorly understood. This review evaluates the existing evidence regarding the use of lasers in the treatment of various forms of alopecia. Overall, there has been promising evidence for potential alopecia treatment efficacy: low-level light therapy for androgenetic alopecia, fractional laser for androgenetic alopecia, and excimer laser for alopecia areata.