From the Guidelines
Red light photodynamic therapy is not a recommended treatment for alopecia areata based on the provided evidence, which does not support its efficacy for this condition. The treatment of alopecia areata typically involves other modalities, such as topical corticosteroids or excimer laser therapy, which have shown some promise in promoting hair regrowth 1.
Treatment Options for Alopecia Areata
- Topical corticosteroids, such as 0.05% clobetasol propionate foam, have been shown to be effective in some patients, with more sites treated with clobetasol having at least 50% regrowth of hair compared to vehicle-treated sites 1.
- Excimer laser therapy has also been used to treat alopecia areata, with regrowth seen in 17 patches out of 42 treated patches in one study 1.
- Other treatments, such as minoxidil, may also be used in combination with topical corticosteroids or excimer laser therapy to promote hair regrowth.
Considerations for Treatment
- Patients should maintain realistic expectations, as complete hair regrowth is not guaranteed, and maintenance sessions may be needed to sustain results.
- Side effects, such as folliculitis, may occur with topical corticosteroid treatment, and patients should be monitored closely for these adverse effects 1.
- The choice of treatment should be individualized based on the patient's specific condition, medical history, and preferences.
Evidence-Based Recommendations
- The most effective treatment approach for alopecia areata is often a combination of topical corticosteroids and other therapies, such as excimer laser therapy or minoxidil.
- Patients should be closely monitored for side effects and treatment response, and adjustments to the treatment plan should be made as needed.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the efficacy and safety of different treatment options for alopecia areata, including red light photodynamic therapy.
From the Research
Efficacy of Red Light Photodynamic Therapy for Treating Alopecia Areata
- The efficacy of red light photodynamic therapy for treating alopecia areata is limited, with most studies showing no significant hair regrowth 2, 3.
- A study published in 2008 found that none of the patients with alopecia areata of the scalp achieved complete hair regrowth after treatment with red light photodynamic therapy, although one patient with alopecia areata of the beard experienced complete regrowth after four sessions 2.
- Another study published in 2000 found that topical photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid did not induce hair regrowth in patients with extensive alopecia areata 3.
- A more recent study published in 2020 found that the combination of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid and microneedling resulted in complete hair regrowth in three patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata, and an improvement of ≥ 50% and < 50% of the treated areas in seven and six patients, respectively 4.
- However, a study published in 2021 found that 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy did not increase hair growth in patients with androgenetic alopecia, although it slightly suppressed sebum secretion on the scalp 5.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- A review published in 2017 found that laser and light-based therapies, including the excimer laser, offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments for alopecia areata 6.
- The same review noted that the development of future randomized controlled clinical trials is necessary to determine the appropriate treatment protocols for laser and light-based modalities 6.
Adverse Effects
- The adverse effects of red light photodynamic therapy for treating alopecia areata are generally mild, with reports of erythema, pigmentation, and tolerable pain 3, 5.
- A study published in 2021 found that the main adverse effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy were mild edema and tolerable pain, with no adverse effects observed in the red-light treatment group 5.