Treatment of alopecia areata with 2940-nm fractional erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser

Abstract

Various laser therapies have been used for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA). Enhanced hair regrowth was reported with the use of ablative fractional 2940-nm erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser in a murine model. However, clinical effectiveness of fractional Er:YAG laser for hair disorders has not been investigated in human studies. The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of 2940-nm fractional Er:YAG laser in the treatment of chronic AA that is unresponsive to conventional therapies. Twenty-five AA patients underwent three sessions, each 4 to 6 weeks apart, of fractional Er:YAG laser. Clinical evaluation was done at baseline and 1 month post-treatment (follow-up) by photographic assessment. Subjective evaluation by patient satisfaction score was also performed. Photographic evaluation of the patients revealed a mean percent change in SALT score of 17.4 +/- 3.5% at follow-up. A total of 16 patients who were treated for patchy AA of the scalp showed 27.8 +/- 31.3% regrowth. Five patients who were treated for AA of the beard had 39 +/- 34.2% regrowth. Fractional Er:YAG laser might be a therapeutic alternative for patients with patchy AA of the scalp and beard that is unresponsive to conventional therapies.