SynthesisLasers in medical science2018
Low-level laser therapy for the treatment of androgenic alopecia: a review.
Synthesis in Lasers in medical science, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 28 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
28 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 97 citations in OpenAlex.
- Full-Spectrum phototherapy in hair loss management: a systematic review of wavelength-dependent mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and future directions.Lasers in medical science · 2025Pooled it
- Photobiomodulation therapy in management of cancer therapy-induced side effects: WALT position paper 2022.Frontiers in oncology · 2022Pooled it
- The use of photobiomodulation therapy for the management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia: a randomized, controlled trial (HAIRLASER trial).Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Trial
- Trial
- Mechanisms and clinical progress of adipose-derived stem cells and their derivatives in the treatment of hair loss.Stem cell research & therapy · 2025Review
- Male and female pattern hair loss.Australian prescriber · 2025Review
- The Pharmacokinetics of Topical Finasteride 0.25% Spray in Chinese Adult Male Volunteers with Androgenic Alopecia: A Phase I Study.Advances in therapy · 2025Article
- Lasers for treatment of androgenetic alopecia: an in-depth analysis.Lasers in medical science · 2025Review
- Comparative study between fractional CO2 laser alone versus fractional CO2 laser combined with topical dutasteride in treatment of male androgenic alopecia.Lasers in medical science · 2025Article
- Shock Waves for Hair Growth and Regeneration in Patients With Female Pattern Hair Loss.Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) · 2024Article
- Clinical and preclinical approach in AGA treatment: a review of current and new therapies in the regenerative field.Stem cell research & therapy · 2024Review
- Treatment Options for Onychomycosis: Efficacy, Side Effects, Adherence, Financial Considerations, and Ethics.The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology · 2024Review
- Effect of Skin Type on Efficacy of Laser Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature.Skin appendage disorders · 2023Review
- Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update.Drugs · 2023Review
- Effects of oleanolic acid on hair growth in mouse dorsal skin mediated via regulation of inflammatory cytokines.Journal of applied biomedicine · 2023Article
- Low-Level Light Therapy and Minoxidil Combination Treatment in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature.Skin appendage disorders · 2023Article
- Regulation of stem cell fate by HSPGs: implication in hair follicle cycling.NPJ Regenerative medicine · 2022Review
- Efficacy assessment for low-level laser therapy in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a real-world study on 1383 patients.Lasers in medical science · 2022Article
- Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, compliance, financial considerations, and ethics.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2021Review
- Low-Level Light Therapy Downregulates Scalp Inflammatory Biomarkers in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia and Boosts Minoxidil 2% to Bring a Sustainable Hair Regrowth Activity.Lasers in surgery and medicine · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
There are many new low-level laser technologies that have been released commercially that claim to support hair regrowth. In this paper, we will examine the clinical trials to determine whether the body of evidence supports the use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to treat androgenic alopecia (AGA). A literature search was conducted through Pubmed, Embase, and Clinicaltrials.gov for clinical trials using LLLT to treat AGA. Thirteen clinical trials were assessed. Review articles were not included. Ten of 11 trials demonstrated significant improvement of androgenic alopecia in comparison to baseline or controls when treated with LLLT. In the remaining study, improvement in hair counts and hair diameter was recorded, but did not reach statistical significance. Two trials did not include statistical analysis, but showed marked improvement by hair count or by photographic evidence. Two trials showed efficacy for LLLT in combination with topical minoxidil. One trial showed efficacy when accompanying finasteride treatment. LLLT appears to be a safe, alternative treatment for patients with androgenic alopecia. Clinical trials have indicated efficacy for androgenic alopecia in both men and women. It may be used independently or as an adjuvant of minoxidil or finasteride. More research needs to be undertaken to determine the optimal power and wavelength to use in LLLT as well as LLLT's mechanism of action.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.