Photobiomodulation therapy and 5% minoxidil in female pattern hair loss

Abstract

Purpose Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a major concern for women experiencing hair thinning. While minoxidil 5% (MIN) is a medically approved treatment and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMt) has shown effectiveness in stimulating hair growth, treatments typically last 24 weeks. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining PBMt with topical MIN for treating FPHL within a shorter 12.5-week timeframe, focusing on hair growth phases. Methods Nine women aged 30 to 50 years with FPHL participated. They applied MIN twice daily to the scalp throughout the treatment period. In the clinic, hair was sectioned, and one side of the scalp was randomly assigned to receive 25 sessions of red laser (100 mW, 4 J/point), delivered at 15 evenly spaced points. Treatments were administered twice a week, while the opposite side received sham irradiation. Standardized photographs, a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire, and phototrichograms were used to evaluate the outcomes. Results Both the MIN and PBMt + MIN groups showed significant improvements in QoL scores and hair density. Additionally, both groups experienced increased hair density and a higher percentage of hairs in the anagen phase. Remarkably, the PBMt + MIN group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in telogen-phase hairs. Conclusion These findings suggest that PBMt may enhance MIN therapy for FPHL, particularly in reducing telogen-phase hair counts within a shorter treatment period. Clinical trial number Not applicable.