TLDR The review concluded that better studies are needed to prove if Low-Level Laser Therapy devices for hair growth really work.
In 2015, Dr. Sharon A. Keene critically evaluated trials of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) devices for hair growth, focusing on four randomized controlled trials from 2013-2014. The trials, which involved helmets with multiple diode lasers and a laser comb, had several limitations including small sample sizes, lack of control groups, short study durations, and failure to address how the presence of hair could affect light therapy application. The studies also lacked long-term follow-up and did not address dosing or how duration and frequency of treatment were determined. While each study reported varying degrees of positive results, the review concluded that more rigorous and well-designed studies were needed to confirm the effectiveness of LLLT devices. The document recommended future research to identify optimal wavelength and adjustable dosing regimens, and to create a device that can bypass hair and skin to uniformly reach cellular targets.
81 citations
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August 2014 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine” Red light therapy is safe and effectively increases hair growth in women with hair loss.
147 citations
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January 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Laser device increases hair density, safe for treating hair loss in men and women.
117 citations
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September 2013 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine” Red light therapy at 655 nm significantly improved hair growth in men with hair loss.
106 citations
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April 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Low-level light therapy safely improves hair growth and thickness for androgenetic alopecia.
38 citations
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June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Finasteride effectively improves hair growth and slows hair loss in men with male pattern baldness.
15 citations
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October 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy” FDA-cleared devices may help treat hair loss, but more research needed; consult dermatologist before use.
24 citations
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March 2015 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Home-use cosmetic laser and light devices show modest results for hair removal and acne treatment, but more research is needed for confirmation.
1 citations
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January 2018 in “Springer eBooks” Photobiomodulation is an effective and safe treatment for increasing hair growth in people with hair loss.
45 citations
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December 2018 in “Lasers in Medical Science” LLLT promotes hair growth and improves hair density safely in men and women.
January 2025 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery” Low-level laser therapy effectively improves hair growth in androgenetic alopecia with minimal side effects.
