Korean J Dermatol.  2022 Sep;60(8):465-475.

Efficacy of a Combination of Low-Level Light Therapy with Topical Minoxidil versus Topical Minoxidil Monotherapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Kim DS
• Heo JY
• Hong EJ
• Park TH
• Kim WI
• Kim S
• Lee SH
• Cho MK

Abstract

Background
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common non-scarring alopecia that affects both males and females. Two medical treatments, finasteride and minoxidil, have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, both treatments do not always show satisfactory outcomes, and several adverse effects have been reported. In 2007, low-level light therapy (LLLT) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of AGA; however, its effect in combination with topical minoxidil has been controversial.
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of a combination therapy of LLLT and topical minoxidil versus topical minoxidil monotherapy for AGA.
Methods
Literature search of Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed databases was conducted. One controlled clinical trial and four randomized controlled trials were included. Statistical analyses of the extracted outcome data from the studies were performed using Rex Software (version 3.6.3).
Results
Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the combination therapy showed significant improvement in hair density (n/cm² ; standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04∼0.97; p=0.0315) and hair thickness (μm; SMD, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.29∼1.00; p=0.0004) compared to the monotherapy, but not in photographic score (SMD, 1.13; 95% CI, −0.09∼2.35; p=0.0696). Sex-based subgroup analyses revealed a statistically significant difference in hair density and thickness in female patients. However, there were no significant differences in the photographic score and hair density of male patients.
Conclusion
LLLT could be an effective adjunct to topical minoxidil for the treatment of AGA, especially in female patients. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Keyword

Androgenetic alopecia; Low-level light therapy; Minoxidil