The growth of human scalp hair in females using visible red light laser and LED sources. Issue 8 (13th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lanzafame, Raymond J.; Blanche, Raymond R.; Chiacchierini, Richard P.; Kazmirek, Eric R.; Sklar, Jeffrey A.
• Is Part Of: Lasers in surgery and medicine. Volume 46:Issue 8(2014)
• Page Start: 601
• Page End: 607
• Publication Date: 2014-08-13
• Subjects: Lasers in medicine -- Periodicals; Lasers in surgery -- Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.22277
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8092

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="lsm22277-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Objectives</title> <p>Low level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) has been demonstrated to promote hair growth in males. A double‐blind randomized controlled trial was undertaken to define the safety and physiologic effects of LLLT on females with androgenic alopecia.</p> </sec> <sec id="lsm22277-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Forty‐seven females (18–60 years old, Fitzpatrick I–IV, and Ludwig–Savin Baldness Scale I‐2, I‐3, I‐4, II‐1, II‐2 baldness patterns) were recruited. A transition zone scalp site was selected; hairs were trimmed to 3 mm height; the area was tattooed and photographed. The active group received a "TOPHAT655" unit containing 21, 5 mW diode lasers (655 ± 5 nm) and 30 LEDS (655 ± 20 nm), in a bicycle‐helmet like apparatus. The placebo group unit appeared identical, containing incandescent red lights. Patients treated at home every other day × 16 weeks (60 treatments, 67 J/cm<sup>2</sup> irradiance/25 minute treatment, 2.9 J dose), with follow up and photography at 16 weeks. A masked 2.85 cm<sup>2</sup> photographic area was evaluated by another blinded investigator. The primary endpoint was the percent increase in hair counts from baseline.</p> </sec> <sec id="lsm22277-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Forty‐two patients completed the study (24 active, 18 sham). No adverse events or side effects were reported. Baseline hair counts were 228.2 ± 133.4 (<italic>N</italic> = 18) in the sham and 209.6 ± 118.5 (<italic>N</italic> = 24) in the active group (<italic>P</italic> = 0.642). Post Treatment hair counts were 252.1 ± 143.3 (N = 18) in the sham group and 309.9 ± 166.6 (<italic>N</italic> = 24) in the active group (<italic>P</italic> = 0.235). The change in hair counts over baseline was 23.9 ± 30.1 (<italic>N</italic> = 18) in the sham group and 100.3 ± 53.4 (<italic>N</italic> = 24) in the active group (<italic>P</italic> < 0.0001). The percent hair increase over the duration of the study was 11.05 ± 48.30 (<italic>N</italic> = 18) for the sham group and 48.07 ± 17.61 (<italic>N</italic> = 24) for the active group (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). This demonstrates a 37% increase in hair growth in the active treatment group as compared to the placebo group.</p> </sec> <sec id="lsm22277-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>LLLT of the scalp at 655 nm significantly improved hair counts in women with androgenetic alopecia at a rate similar to that observed in males using the same parameters. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:601–607, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>