Low-level light therapy using a helmet-type device for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Introduction Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in both sexes. In recent studies, low-level light therapy (LLLT) has been established as an effective treatment for alopecia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LLLT using a new helmet-type device for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Method A randomized, sham device-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted at 2 institutions. Sixty participants diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia aged from 19 to 65 years were recruited. LLLT was performed through a helmet-type device that emitted light with a mean output power of 2.36 mW/cm 2 at a wavelength of 655 nm. Participants were divided into 2 groups, which respectively used the experimental device and a sham device. After tattooing at the central point of the vertex, phototrichograms at that point were obtained at 0, 8, and 16 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the difference in the rate of change of hair density between the test group and the control group. Results Comparing the results at baseline and week 16, the experimental group showed an increase in hair density of 41.90 hairs/cm 2 and an increase in hair thickness of 7.50 μm, whereas the control group showed an increase of 0.72 hairs/cm 2 and a decrease of 15.03 μm, respectively ( P < .001). No adverse events or side effects occurred. Conclusion LLLT showed a significant effect on increasing hair density in patients with androgenetic alopecia. LLLT could be a safe and effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia in both sexes.

The Use of a Light-Emitting Diode Device for Neck Rejuvenation and Its Safety on Thyroid Glands

“…The use of LED home-use devices has gained significant interest over the past few years in the anti-aging cosmeceutical market. These LLLT devices are sources of photobiomodulation therapy that have been used not only to promote wound healing, but also to produce anti-inflammatory effects, photo-rejuvenation, as well as for the treatment of various dermatological disorders [ 14 ]. In particular, red and near-infrared LEDs can be used as skin biostimulators to decelerate fibroblast aging by exerting antioxidative and collagen-enhancing activities [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Low-level laser therapy in androgenetic alopecia: narrative review

“…In terms of treatment duration, all 16-week treatments involving helmet types resulted in a greater than 35% increase in hair [22,32], density, and thickness [38] in both males and females. Furthermore, hair density, diameter, and coverage [31,34,37], and the effect of increasing hair dermal papilla [36], were confirmed for all 24-week treatments that utilized a helmet type. Moreover, tests conducted after 2 and 17 weeks demonstrated a significant increase in hair number, density, and thickness [33,35].…”

“…A total of 11 related papers were obtained from the PubMed database, of which 9 were treatment studies using only LLLT (Table 1) [22,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37], and the remaining 2 were combined with minoxidil (Table 2) [38,39].…”

Reduction of telogen rate and increase of hair density in androgenetic alopecia by a cosmetic product: Results of a randomized, prospective, vehicle‐controlled double‐blind study in men

“…Their modes of action have been investigated, 32,33 revealing similarities between wound healing and hair growth stimulation. The involvement of Wnt-signaling in dermal papilla cells, mesenchymal stem cell-derived signal molecules, and growth factors obtained from platelets 34 as well as production of reactive oxygen species and transcription factors induced by nitric oxide formation upon red or infrared light absorption from LLLT by cytochrome C oxidase in follicle cells 35 explain sustainable improvement of hair growth observed in the clinical studies. 36 While the mode of action of the polyphenols present in the cosmetic foam studied here fits in well with the mechanisms observed with the above therapies, the contribution of NHE and caffeine is less…”