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Low-level laser therapy and narrative review of other treatment modalities in androgenetic alopecia

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Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also termed as androgenic alopecia or common baldness, is a condition where there is androgen mediated conversion of susceptible terminal hair into vellus hair. Although it is reported more commonly in males, it also affects females but the incidence is relatively unknown. AGA tremendously affects the psychology of the patient due to its chronicity of treatment and cosmetic implications. There are numerous treatment options available for AGA but the choice of treatment has to often be tailored according to the patient’s needs, affordability, and compliance. This review focusses on the various treatment options available, with special emphasis on the role of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the management of AGA. The literature research considered published journal articles (clinical trials or scientific reviews). Studies were identified by searching electronic databases (MEDLINE and PubMed) and reference lists of respective articles. Only articles available in English were considered for this review.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Hassan Galadari

  2. Cosmetiq Clinic, Pettah-Chacka Road, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

    Swathi Shivakumar

  3. University of Studies Guglielmo Marconi, Rome, Italy

    Torello Lotti

  4. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Städtisches Klinikum Dresden, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Technical University of Dresden, Friedrichstrasse 41, 01067, Dresden, Germany

    Uwe Wollina

  5. University of Studies Guglielmo Marconi, Rome, Italy

    Andy Goren

  6. Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

    Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni

  7. Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

    Stephan Grabbe

  8. University of Rome G. Marconi, Rome, Italy

    Mohamad Goldust

  9. Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany

    Mohamad Goldust

  10. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    Mohamad Goldust

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  1. Hassan Galadari
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  2. Swathi Shivakumar
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  3. Torello Lotti
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  4. Uwe Wollina
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  5. Andy Goren
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  6. Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni
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  7. Stephan Grabbe
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  8. Mohamad Goldust
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Correspondence to Mohamad Goldust.

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Galadari, H., Shivakumar, S., Lotti, T. et al. Low-level laser therapy and narrative review of other treatment modalities in androgenetic alopecia. Lasers Med Sci 35, 1239–1244 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-02994-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-02994-4

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