Regenerative Biotechnologies in Plastic Surgery: A Multicentric, Retrospective, Case-Series Study on the Use of Micro-Needling with Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy as a Hair Growth Boost in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia

Abstract

A new biotechnology based on micro-needling (MND) with low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT) that is used for hair re-growth (HR-G) needs to be standardized. The study aims to report the clinical outcomes resulting from a multicentric, retrospective, observational, case-series study in which MND with LLLT was used on patients affected by androgenic alopecia (AGA). Twenty-six patients were initially enrolled of which 15 males were classified as stages I–III of vertex by the Norwood–Hamilton scale, and 11 females was classified in stages I–II by the Ludwig scale. Twenty patients (10 females and 10 males) were analyzed after their screening (the exclusion and inclusion criteria evaluation). The HR-G assessment was evaluated with photography, as well as the physician’s and patient’s global assessment scales, in addition to standardized phototrichograms, during a short follow-up at T0-baseline, T1-16 weeks. Encouraging results represented by a hair density increase of 12 ± 2 hairs/cm2 at T1 after 16 weeks (16 weeks vs. 0 weeks) in the targeted area, compared with the baseline results (59 ± 2 hairs/cm2 at T1 versus 47 ± 2 hairs/cm2 at baseline), were observed using computerized trichograms with a statistically significant difference in hair re-growth (p = 0.0238). The effectiveness of MND with LLLT use has been demonstrated in mild to moderate AGA patients.