The Use of 308-nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Alopecia Areata and Primary Cicatricial Alopecia: A Systematic Review

This systematic review evaluates the use of 308 nm excimer laser therapy in treating alopecia areata (AA) and primary cicatricial alopecias, specifically lichen planopilaris (LPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA). The review includes 33 studies with 634 patients, predominantly focusing on AA, where the therapy showed significant hair regrowth in many cases. For cicatricial alopecias, data were limited, with 21 patients across 3 studies, showing some improvement in LPP but mixed results for FFA. Adverse effects were generally mild. The findings suggest that excimer therapy could be a viable non-pharmacologic treatment option, especially when other therapies are unsuitable, but further research is needed, particularly for LPP and FFA.