Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

LLLT: Does It Work?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Practical Aspects of Hair Transplantation in Asians

  • 901 Accesses

Abstract

Although multiple low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices have received FDA clearance for safety, LLLT effect on hair loss diseases is still a matter of debate for male and female pattern hair loss (MPHL, FPHL). Completed clinical trials of LLLT use for MPHL and/or FPHL demonstrated improvement precisely measured hair parameters such as density and width. However, improvement in hair appearance was insufficiently demonstrated. Moreover, no study compared LLLT and conventional drugs such as topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and dutasteride. Therefore, at present, LLLT should be considered as an adjunctive therapy to these treatments. Further, if patients dislike currently available medical treatments, LLLT may be offered as an alternative method. Additionally, our basic research revealed that HGF, leptin, and VEGF-A secreted from dermal papilla cells mediate the red light effect on hair growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Mester E, Ludany G, Sellyei M, Szende B, Gyenes G, Tota GJ. Studies on the inhibiting and activating effects of laser beams. Langenbecks Arch Chir. 1968;322:1022–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lolis MS, Marmur ES. Paradoxical effects of hair removal systems: a review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2006;5(4):274–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2006.00269.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Leavitt M, Charles G, Heyman E, Michaels D. HairMax LaserComb laser phototherapy device in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, sham device-controlled, multicentre trial. Clin Drug Investig. 2009;29(5):283–92. https://doi.org/10.2165/00044011-200929050-00001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Afifi L, Maranda EL, Zarei M, Delcanto GM, Falto-Aizpurua L, Kluijfhout WP, et al. Low-level laser therapy as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Lasers Surg Med. 2017;49(1):27–39. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.22512.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jimenez JJ, Wikramanayake TC, Bergfeld W, Hordinsky M, Hickman JG, Hamblin MR, et al. Efficacy and safety of a low-level laser device in the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss: a multicenter, randomized, sham device-controlled, double-blind study. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014;15(2):115–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-013-0060-6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Kim H, Choi JW, Kim JY, Shin JW, Lee SJ, Huh CH. Low-level light therapy for androgenetic alopecia: a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, sham device-controlled multicenter trial. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(8):1177–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/dsu.12200.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lanzafame RJ, Blanche RR, Bodian AB, Chiacchierini RP, Fernandez-Obregon A, Kazmirek ER. The growth of human scalp hair mediated by visible red light laser and LED sources in males. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45(8):487–95. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.22173.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Lanzafame RJ, Blanche RR, Chiacchierini RP, Kazmirek ER, Sklar JA. The growth of human scalp hair in females using visible red light laser and LED sources. Lasers Surg Med. 2014;46(8):601–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.22277.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Olsen EA, DeLong ER, Weiner MS. Long-term follow-up of men with male pattern baldness treated with topical minoxidil. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1987;16(3 Pt 2):688–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Olsen EA, Weiner MS, Delong ER, Pinnell SR. Topical minoxidil in early male pattern baldness. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1985;13(2 Pt 1):185–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kaufman KD, Olsen EA, Whiting D, Savin R, DeVillez R, Bergfeld W, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride male pattern hair loss study group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;39(4 Pt 1):578–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Leyden J, Dunlap F, Miller B, Winters P, Lebwohl M, Hecker D, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999;40(6 Pt 1):930–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Gubelin Harcha W, Barboza Martinez J, Tsai TF, Katsuoka K, Kawashima M, Tsuboi R, et al. A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70(3):489–498. e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.049.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Sutherland JC. Biological effects of polychromatic light. Photochem Photobiol. 2002;76(2):164–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Karu TI. Multiple roles of cytochrome c oxidase in mammalian cells under action of red and IR-A radiation. IUBMB Life. 2010;62(8):607–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/iub.359.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fushimi T, Inui S, Ogasawara M, Nakajima T, Hosokawa K, Itami S. Narrow-band red LED light promotes mouse hair growth through paracrine growth factors from dermal papilla. J Dermatol Sci. 2011;64(3):246–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2011.09.004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lee YR, Yamazaki M, Mitsui S, Tsuboi R, Ogawa H. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activator expressed in hair follicles is involved in in vitro HGF-dependent hair follicle elongation. J Dermatol Sci. 2001;25(2):156–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Yamazaki M, Tsuboi R, Lee YR, Ishidoh K, Mitsui S, Ogawa H. Hair cycle-dependent expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activator, other proteinases, and proteinase inhibitors correlates with the expression of HGF in rat hair follicles. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 1999;4(3):312–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Sumikawa Y, Inui S, Nakajima T, Itami S. Hair cycle control by leptin as a new anagen inducer. Exp Dermatol. 2014;23(1):27–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12286.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Yano K, Brown LF, Detmar M. Control of hair growth and follicle size by VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. J Clin Invest. 2001;107(4):409–17. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI11317.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Kim TH, Kim NJ, Youn JI. Evaluation of wavelength-dependent hair growth effects on low-level laser therapy: an experimental animal study. Lasers Med Sci. 2015;30(6):1703–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-015-1775-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. S Inui Clinic, Minami-Senba 3–5-11, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 542-0081, Japan

    Shigeki Inui M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Shigeki Inui M.D., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shigeki Inui M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. DHT Clinic Private Practice, Bangkok, Thailand

    Damkerng Pathomvanich

  2. Yokobi Clinic Private practice, Yokohama, Japan

    Kenichiro Imagawa

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Inui, S. (2018). LLLT: Does It Work?. In: Pathomvanich, D., Imagawa, K. (eds) Practical Aspects of Hair Transplantation in Asians. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56547-5_69

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56547-5_69

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-56545-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-56547-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation