Use of Lasers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by round or oval patches of non-scarring hair loss that is mediated by lymphocytes affecting the hair follicles. To treat localized AA, intralesional corticosteroid injections and topical corticosteroids are most commonly used, while for widespread AA, systemic steroids, immunosuppresants, and contact immunotherapy are commonly considered. However, therapeutic options for refractory AA that is unresponsive to these conventional treatments are limited. Various lasers have been suggested in recent studies to treat AA. The effect of 308-nm excimer laser was the most studied, while others, including neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, erbium:glass laser, fractional CO2 laser, and low-level laser therapy, have also been assessed. Despite the nascent state of research on lasers as a treatment option for AA, there have been a great deal of promising results. It is possible for lasers to become the mainstay treatment option of AA. Key words

Alopecia Areata: Burden of Disease, Approach to Treatment, and Current Unmet Needs

“…Further research is needed to understand how LLLT works and assess its efficacy in AA treatment. 64 , 65 The antihistamine, fexofenadine, has been found to be a helpful adjuvant therapeutic with contact immunotherapy in the treatment of atopic AA but not non-atopic AA. 66 , 67 …”

“…Further research is needed to understand how LLLT works and assess its efficacy in AA treatment. 64,65 The antihistamine, fexofenadine, has been found to be a helpful adjuvant therapeutic with contact immunotherapy in the treatment of atopic AA but not non-atopic AA. 66,67 Other key factors aside from disease severity that may influence a clinician's choice of treatment include patientperceived disease severity, patient distress, and impact on the patient's social life.…”

Effect of Low-level Laser Therapy on Propylthiouracil-induced Hypothyroidism Model Mice: A Pilot Study

“…Several studies have reported that LLLT is effective in various fields, including treatment of alopecia, 16 vestibulopathy, 17 and ophthalmic diseases. 18,19 However, the mechanism of LLLT has not been fully elucidated.…”

A Case of Eagle’s Syndrome Treated with Carbon Dioxide Laser

“…In transoral approach, after tonsillectomy, muscles and mucosa membranes are dissected to find the apex of the styloid process, which is then removed using a cutting tool (CO2 laser). [13][14][15][16][17][18] Transoral approach has a cosmetic advantage which leaves no visible scar after surgery, but also it has a disadvantage that the styloid process does not completely expose during the operation. 19 Recently, a new method was introduced in which the styloid process is removed after an incision is made into the anterior tonsil pillar and the tonsil is only pushed to the medial side without performing tonsillectomy.…”