Comparative efficacy of 2% minoxidil alone against combination of 2% minoxidil and low-level laser therapy in female pattern hair loss–A randomized controlled trial in Chinese females

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of combination of 655nm lowlevel laser helmet device with topical 2% minoxidil solution at FPHL in Chinese population. Randomized, parallel, controlled, single-blind clinical trial was conducted. FPHL subjects were randomly allocated into 2% minoxidil group and combination group. The 2% minoxidil group received 1 ml topical 2% minoxidil solution twice daily for 24 weeks. The combination group received 1ml topical 2% minoxidil solution twice daily together with 20 minutes 655nm low-level laser helmet once every other day for 24 weeks. Hair parameters in two scalp areas including midscalp and vertex were evaluated at baseline, 12th week and 24th week. In midscalp area, the combination group showed a lower increase in intermediate hair percentage than 2% minoxidil group, which was statistically significant. Besides, the combination group had statistically significant increase than 2% minoxidil group in mean hair diameter. Reported relative adverse events included slightly hair loss (27.8%), desquamation (19.0%), pruritus (15.2%), seborrhea (2.5%) and hypertrichosis (2.5%). In our trial, LLLT was demonstrated as a useful supplementary treatment for FPHL and the combination with 2% minoxidil accomplished better improvement in intermediate hair enlargement and hair diameter of midscalp for FPHL