Photobiomodulation for the management of alopecia: Mechanisms of action, patient selection and perspectives

Michael R. Hamblin

doi:10.2147/CCID.S184979

Photobiomodulation for the management of alopecia: Mechanisms of action, patient selection and perspectives

Michael R. Hamblin

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy was discovered over 50 years ago, when Mester in Hungary observed regrowth of hair in mice when irradiated with a ruby laser. At the present time, several different PBM devices are marketed to assist with hair regrowth in alopecia patients. This review covers the three main types of alopecia (androgenetic, areata, and chemotherapy-induced), and discusses the mechanism of action of PBM for each disease. The different devices used (mostly low powered red laser diodes), dosimetry, animal models, and clinical trials are summarized. Criteria for patient selection are outlined. Finally a perspectives section looks forward to the future.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	669-678
Number of pages	10
Journal	Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
Volume	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S184979
Publication status	Published - 2019
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Alopecia areata
Androgenetic alopecia
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia
Hair follicles
Photobiomodulation therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Dermatology

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10.2147/CCID.S184979

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title = "Photobiomodulation for the management of alopecia: Mechanisms of action, patient selection and perspectives",

abstract = "Photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy was discovered over 50 years ago, when Mester in Hungary observed regrowth of hair in mice when irradiated with a ruby laser. At the present time, several different PBM devices are marketed to assist with hair regrowth in alopecia patients. This review covers the three main types of alopecia (androgenetic, areata, and chemotherapy-induced), and discusses the mechanism of action of PBM for each disease. The different devices used (mostly low powered red laser diodes), dosimetry, animal models, and clinical trials are summarized. Criteria for patient selection are outlined. Finally a perspectives section looks forward to the future.",

keywords = "Alopecia areata, Androgenetic alopecia, Chemotherapy-induced alopecia, Hair follicles, Photobiomodulation therapy",

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year = "2019",

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language = "English",

volume = "12",

pages = "669--678",

journal = "Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology",

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PY - 2019

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AB - Photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy was discovered over 50 years ago, when Mester in Hungary observed regrowth of hair in mice when irradiated with a ruby laser. At the present time, several different PBM devices are marketed to assist with hair regrowth in alopecia patients. This review covers the three main types of alopecia (androgenetic, areata, and chemotherapy-induced), and discusses the mechanism of action of PBM for each disease. The different devices used (mostly low powered red laser diodes), dosimetry, animal models, and clinical trials are summarized. Criteria for patient selection are outlined. Finally a perspectives section looks forward to the future.

KW - Alopecia areata

KW - Androgenetic alopecia

KW - Chemotherapy-induced alopecia

KW - Hair follicles

KW - Photobiomodulation therapy

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M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85073271811

SN - 1178-7015

VL - 12

SP - 669

EP - 678

JO - Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

JF - Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

ER -

Photobiomodulation for the management of alopecia: Mechanisms of action, patient selection and perspectives

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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