Neema Shekhar, Mannu Anand, Vasudevan Biju, Sandhu Sunmeet, Vendhan Senkadhir, Radhakrishnan S
Professor (Dermatology), Base Hospital, Lucknow Cantt, India.
Senior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India.
Med J Armed Forces India. 2025 Jul-Aug;81(4):445-452. doi: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2024.03.006. Epub 2024 May 27.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common non-scarring alopecia affecting men with progressive patterned hair loss and has significant impact on quality of life. Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are approved for the management of AGA. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) has recently been approved for the management of AGA. Aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of LLLT with 5% minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia.
This study was a single-blind randomised controlled trial which included 91 male patients during the study period. Group 1 included 48 patients receiving 5% topical minoxidil application twice daily for 6 months and Group 2 included 43 patients receiving LLLT with the wavelength of 633 ± 10 nm three sessions per week each of 10 min for 06 months. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months with clinical photography and dermoscopy. The data was analysed using SPSS ver 20.
Out of 91 enrolled, 75 completed the study (38 in group 1 and 37 in group 2). At the end of 6 months, 7(18.4%) showed no change, 20 (52.6%) showed mild to moderate growth, and 11 (28.9%) showed excellent growth in the minoxidil group. In the LLLT group; 10 (27%) showed no change, 21 (56.7%) showed mild to moderate growth and 6 (16.2%) showed excellent growth. The mean hair density in the minoxidil group at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months was 97.6 ± 21.6, 116.4 ± 20.4, and 134.6 ± 24, respectively. The mean hair density in the LLLT group at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months was 104.8 ± 22.7, 117.3 ± 25.1, and 130 ± 25.7, respectively. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in hair density and improvement in clinical photography from baseline at 3 months and 6 months in both groups. There was no significant difference in the two groups at 3 and 6 months.
The results of the LLLT group were comparable to the minoxidil group. No major adverse effects were found in the groups and can be used safely in the treatment of AGA.
CTRI/2020/12/030007.
雄激素性脱发（AGA）是最常见的非瘢痕性脱发，影响男性，导致进行性脱发，对生活质量有重大影响。外用米诺地尔和口服非那雄胺已被批准用于治疗AGA。低水平光疗法（LLLT）最近也被批准用于治疗AGA。本研究的目的是比较LLLT与5%米诺地尔治疗男性雄激素性脱发的疗效。
本研究为单盲随机对照试验，研究期间纳入91例男性患者。第1组包括48例患者，每天两次外用5%米诺地尔，持续6个月；第2组包括43例患者，接受波长为633±10nm的LLLT治疗，每周3次，每次10分钟，共6个月。在基线、3个月和6个月时，通过临床摄影和皮肤镜检查对患者进行评估。使用SPSS 20版软件对数据进行分析。
91例纳入患者中，75例完成研究（第1组38例，第2组37例）。6个月结束时，米诺地尔组中7例（18.4%）无变化，20例（52.6%）有轻度至中度头发生长，11例（28.9%）有显著头发生长。在LLLT组中，10例（27%）无变化，21例（56.7%）有轻度至中度头发生长，6例（16.2%）有显著头发生长。米诺地尔组在基线、3个月和6个月时的平均头发密度分别为97.6±21.6、116.4±20.4和134.6±24。LLLT组在基线、3个月和6个月时的平均头发密度分别为104.8±22.7、117.3±25.1和130±25.7。两组在3个月和6个月时，头发密度均较基线有统计学显著增加（p<0.001），临床摄影结果也有改善。两组在3个月和6个月时无显著差异。
LLLT组的结果与米诺地尔组相当。两组均未发现重大不良反应，可安全用于治疗AGA。
CTRI注册号：CTRI/2020/12/030007。
