Enhancing hair growth in male androgenetic alopecia by a combination of fractional CO2 laser therapy and hair growth factors

• Published in: Lasers in medical science 2017-11, Vol.32 (8), p.1711-1718
• Main Authors: Huang, Yue, Zhuo, Fenglin, Li, Linfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alopecia; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide lasers; Clinical outcomes; Dentistry; Electron microscopy; Follicles; Growth factors; Hair; Hair loss; Lasers; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mens health; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; Patients; Phase transitions; Photonics; Quantum Optics; Scanning electron microscopy; Surgery; Therapy
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-017-2232-8

Laser therapy and growth factors have been used as alternative treatments for male androgenetic alopecia (MAA). The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of hair growth factors alone or combined with ablative carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) fractional laser therapy in MAA. Twenty-eight men were enrolled in this randomized half-split study based on a left-head to right-head pattern. Fractional CO 2 laser treatment was unilaterally performed; hair growth factors were bilaterally applied. Six sessions with 2-week intervals were performed. Global photographs and dermoscopy assessments were performed at the baseline and 4 months after first treatment. Global photographs underwent blinded review by three independent dermatologists. Scanning electron microscopy was used to compare changes in hair-follicle phase and hair-shaft diameter. Twenty-seven participants completed the 4-month treatment schedule. One patient was lost. Mean hair density increased from 114 ± 27 to 143 ± 25/cm 2 ( P