RSUSSH 2020

IN20-296 Study of US FDA Clearance Home-Use Low Level Light/Laser Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

Presenter: Poom Visutjindaporn
Thammasat University, Thailand

Abstract

          In vivo and in vitro studies proved that Low level light/laser therapy (LLLT) could stimulate hair growth. Nowadays there are a lot of home-use low level light therapy devices sold in the USA. However, not all of them are cleared by the US Federal Drug Administration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the low level and light therapy technology in the treatment of pattern hair loss and the articles published in PubMed relating to the US FDA cleared LLLT devices. To assess the low-level light therapy technology, we identified the commercially available home-use low level light therapy devices cleared by the US FDA by searching the FDA 510(K) Premarket Notification database. We also identified the articles published in PubMed to support these devices. Only fourteen devices were included in the study and compared. The home-use LLLT device varied in shape, light sources, the number of diodes, wavelength, total power, and price. Only eight articles that supported the devices were found in PubMed. Of these, six articles are RCTs and two articles are cohort studies. All of the studies were conducted by recruiting patients who have mild to moderate pattern hair loss with not more than 26-week duration. No head-to-head study is conducted to compare the efficacy of these LLLT devices at this moment. Therefore, in the future, the study of their efficacies should be conducted in long term follow up; include the severe pattern hair loss patients and compare between these devices.

Keywords: Low level light therapy; Low level laser therapy; Photobiomodulation; Pattern hair loss; Androgenetic alopecia; Hair growth

Citation format:

Visutjindaporn, P., Parcharoen, Y., & Lueangarun, S.. (2020). Study of US FDA Clearance Home-Use Low Level Light/Laser Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia. Proceeding in RSU International Research Conference, May 1, 2020. Pathum Thani, Thailand.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Suparuj Lueangarun (Visitor)

Which product do you recommend for the patients in the term of cost-effectiveness?

 

เปรมจิต จันทองจีน (Visitor)

What is the rationale of LED on hair loss?

Suparuj Lueangarun (Visitor)

Could this LLLT device be combined with other aga treatments?

 

Suparuj Lueangarun (Visitor)

1.Why most of the products use the laser diodes rather than light emitting diodes ?
2.Which shape of LLLT device do you recommend for patient who want to try LLLT device for the first time?

 

Poom Visutjindaporn (Presenter)

Dear Visitor SUPARUJ LUEANGARUN

First of all, I would like to thank you for your question

For the first question, my answer is the comb shape device because although the comb provides a lower number of laser diodes, the price is much cheaper than the other shapes and its efficacy is quite good as the other types. However, you need to comb your hair by yourself.

For the second question, my answer is LLLT device absolutely combined with the other AGA treatments such as topical minoxidil and oral finasteride. The combination of treatment provides better results.

Poom Visutjindaporn (Presenter)

Dear Visitor เปรมจิต จันทองจีน

 

First of all, I would like to thank you for your question

For your question, my answer is LED in the appropriate irradiance and wavelength can provide the low level light to stimulate hair growth. For the treatment of hairloss, LED at the wavelength of 660 nm will hit the Cytochrome C Oxidase in mitochondria of Hair bulge stem cell and then the process called photobiomodulation will happen. The byproducts of this process are ATP, Reactive oxygen species,and Nitric Oxide which drive stem cell to leave from their normal niche. Then, it start to differentiate to be a new hair.

Poom Visutjindaporn (Presenter)

Dear Visitor SUPARUJ LUEANGARUN

 

Thank you for your questions

 1.Why most of the products use the laser diodes rather than light emitting diodes ?
2.Which shape of LLLT device do you recommend for patient who want to try LLLT device for the first time?

My answer for the first question is that most of manufacterers use the laser diodes rather than LEDs because of the coherent property of the laser. They claim that laser will go deeper in the tissue and the coherence of the laser will provide more favourable results.

For the second question, I recommend to start with the comb type because of the cost-effectiveness. However, if patient can afford any LLLT devices, I recommend to use the helmet or sports cap because they have more numbers of laser diodes and light emitting diodes so that they can cover more area of the scalp and also save patients' time.

Nutthawut Techalert (Participant)

This is quite an interesting topic!! Could I ask a question?

Does the number of the diode in the LLLT device affect the efficacy?

Thanks

Poom Visutjindaporn (Presenter)

Dear NUTTHAWUT TECHALERT

Thank you for your question

I would say that the number of diode in the LLLT device has an influence on the treatment duration and area of treatment. The more number of diode the device has, the less treatment time the patient need.

Moreover, If the number of diode is high, the area of treatment will greater.

Yardnapar Parcharoen (Visitor)

As your research that the LLLT machines are well known for treatment of Alopecia. Are there any study or recommendations about LLLT combination with the other method? Or it would recommend to use LLLT only.

Thank you.

Poom Visutjindaporn (Presenter)

Dear YARDNAPAR PARCHAROEN

 

Thank you very much for your question.

 

My answer is yes. There are some studies use the combination of LLLT device and topical minoxidil. The result of the study claims that the use of combination is better than LLLT device alone. Therefore, they suggest the patient to use the combination therapy.