Comparative Study between Topical Steroid alone versus Combined Fractional Erbium:YAG laser with Topical Steroid in Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Introduction: AA is a common autoimmune skin disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and sometimes other areas of the body.Background and Objectives: New therapy approaches for alopecia areata are emerging, with the goal of improving clinical outcomes. In this study, the effects of topical steroids against fractional Er: YAG laser followed by topical steroids in the treatment of alopecia areata will be compared.Methods: A total of 30 participants with alopecia areata were included in the study. Each patient's lesions were treated with one of two methods: topical clobetasol propionate or fractional Er: YAG laser followed by topical clobetasol propionate. SALT score, patient satisfaction, and dermoscopic imaging were used to evaluate therapeutic response.Results: Both treatment modalities showed a significant clinical improvement in alopecia areata with a statistically significant reduction in the SALT score. The SALT score was more evident in the laser-steroid group. On comparing the dermoscopy findings in both treated areas before and after treatment, a significant reduction was found regarding all dermoscopic findings of alopecia areata in both modalities.Combining fractional Er: YAG laser with topical steroids is found to be a safe treatment modality and more effective than topical steroids in alopecia areata.