Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 308‐nm excimer laser with intralesional corticosteroids for the treatment of alopecia areata: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background: Corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment for alopecia areata (AA). Recently, the 308-nm excimer laser has been proposed for treating AA. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of excimer laser with intralesional corticosteroid (ILCS) in AA. Methods: Patients with at least two alopecic patches were randomly assigned to receive weekly excimer laser treatments or monthly injections of ILCS. Photographs and trichoscopy images were examined at baseline, the last treatment session, and after one month of follow-up. The hair regrowth score was evaluated on a 6-point scale.Results: Sixteen patients with 99 alopecic patches completed the study. At the last treatment session, the mean score of hair regrowth for the laser was significantly lower than the ILCS (p = 0.003). However, after a month of follow-up, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.148). Positive response in hair regrowth (≥50%) was achieved in 47% of laser-treated patches and 66% in ILCStreated ones. Four (25%) and 8 (50%) patients experienced severe adverse events of laser and ILCS, respectively. Conclusions: The excimer laser was safe and effective in AA. The effect of laser on hair regrowth might be delayed as compared with ILCS.

Single‐cell transcriptome analysis of fractional CO2 laser efficiency in treating a mouse model of alopecia

“…Several reports have demonstrated that fractional laser treatment effectively induces hair regrowth in combination with other factors, including platelet‐rich plasma, 21 hair growth factors, 39 and MSC‐conditioned medium 40 . Similar results were reported with 308 nm excimer laser/light treatment for alopecia areata (AA) 41,42 . These positive effects may be produced not only by their ability to penetrate the skin barrier, 20 but also by the inflammation and mechano‐physical signals induced by fractional laser irradiation 30,31,43 .…”

“…40 Similar results were reported with 308 nm excimer laser/light treatment for alopecia areata (AA). 41,42 These positive effects may be produced not only by their ability to penetrate the skin barrier, 20 but also by the inflammation and mechano-physical signals induced by fractional laser irradiation. 30,31,43 Results suggest that these treatments may compensate for the signals required for hair regrowth, but are not sufficient under irradiation conditions.…”

Assessing the Efficacy of Monthly 308 nm Excimer Lamp Double-Stacked Pulse Adjusted Therapy for Alopecia Areata

“…A recent retrospective study in 36 patients with AA that included patients with ophiasis AA showed that 52% achieved SALT 75 after being treated with a median of 24 sessions of 308 nm excimer laser with a median treatment duration of 12 weeks [33]. A randomized controlled study that compared 308 nm excimer lamp with intralesional corticosteroids in 99 patients, they found that at the end of the last session the mean score of hair regrowth was lower for the excimer lamp than for the intralesional corticosteroids, however, after a month, this difference was not statistically significant, finally this study showed that the group that received excimer laser sessions had less severe adverse events than the group that received intralesional corticosteroids [34]. Alopecia totalis and universalis may not benefit from this type of treatment [35].…”

Overview of the Role of 308 Monochromatic Excimer Phototherapy for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

“…Some of these studied protocols are given in Table 2. Of the control trials, one included 16 participants with 99 patches of AA [21]. The author of this study concluded that the excimer laser was safe and effective in AA.…”