1550 NM ERBIUM GLASS FRACTIONATION LASER IN THE TREATMENT OF ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the 1550 nm Erbium Glass fractionated laser in monotherapy and combined with topical 5% minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in a sample of patients who consulted the Aldana Laser Center clinical center, Caracas-Venezuela in April. 2023 to January 2024. Methods: Quasi-experimental study, 30 patients with androgenetic alopecia who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly included, 15 received 1550 nm Erbium Glass laser in monotherapy (M) and 15 combined therapy. (TC) with topical 5% minoxidil to the affected area of the scalp. Results: The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar. Capillary density increased in both groups independently (M: 18 follicular units/cm2, TC: 40 follicular units/cm2) with statistically significant differences when comparing medians (p = 0.021). In the evaluation of the global photograph by expert observers, the highest percentage of patients (66.7%) presented moderate hair growth in both groups. 73% of the patients did not present adverse effects, the rest presented mild, moderate pain and erosions. The satisfaction was moderate in the highest percentage of patients in both groups, without significant statistical differences (p= 0.642). Conclusion: the 1550 nm Erbium Glass fractional laser demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, by stimulating hair growth, with no and/or few adverse effects