Medical treatments to cure hair loss — laser therapy or corticosteroids?

Hair loss, or in more scientific terms, androgenetic alopecia, is a very common problem people have to face as a result of either genetics or bad lifestyle choices they have made without thinking about long-term consequences. More often than not it is a temporary medical issue that can be solved in the comfort of your home (at-home treatments) or in an organized clinical environment if the problem persists or if you want to undergo a more efficient procedure to tackle hair loss. Such procedures are considered to be safe, having a high rate of efficacy in people tested. Nonetheless, it is important to note that not all of these treatments will work for everybody in the same manner and that each individual can have different and unforeseen (allergic) reactions.

Laser therapy

Also called low-level (red-light or cold) laser therapy, this type of procedure accentuates hair growth by irradiating photons into scalp tissues, photons that give a boost to and are absorbed by weaker cells, invigorating circulation and stimulation that encourages hair follicles to grow in diameter and density. According to a 2013 study of 41 males aged 18–48, laser hair treatment provided a 39% increase in hair growth and regeneration over a period of 4 months. Even though it is noninvasive, painless and there are no side effects recorded, you have to take into consideration that laser therapy is not without fault. Indeed, it is very time-consuming. A patient diagnosed with alopecia might need several sessions a week over the course of a few months, while others might need to perform this treatment for the rest of their lives. In addition, you have to understand that this method may simply not work for you or offer you the expected results, especially if you are in the advanced stages of hair loss.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, not to be confused with anabolic steroids, are a type of anti-inflammatory medication that is associated with treating the symptoms of autoimmune conditions and other kinds of localized hair loss caused by scalp inflammation. Simply put, these steroids stop your white cells from attacking your hair follicles. In comparison with laser therapy, corticosteroids are directly injected in the affected area, in this case the scalp, so be aware that they are VERY invasive! It seems that corticosteroids are the most effective in treating alopecia areata (hair loss caused by autoimmune disease), but this condition has been present in only 2% of the world’s population, so more studies are required to prove the long-term efficiency potential of using corticosteroids for curing hair loss not related to autoimmune diseases. Some side effects you should pay attention to: local pain and discomfort, scalp acne, minor bleeding or bruising.

In conclusion, there have been 2 medical treatments put under the microscope, with the article inclining towards the laser therapy method. It has a higher percentage rate of efficiency over corticosteroid use and no side effects to deal with! On another note, when wishing to cure your hair loss problem, the advice would be to consult your doctor so that he gives you the best option tailored to your needs and inherent conditions (if applicable).

References

Are Corticosteroid Injections for Hair Loss Effective? (n.d.). Hims. Retrieved April 7, 2024, from https://www.forhims.co.uk/blog/corticosteroid-injections-for-hair-loss.

Hair loss: Diagnosis and treatment. (n.d.). Www.aad.org. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/diagnosis-treat.

Laser Treatment for Hair Loss: Does It Work? (2019, January 3). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/laser-treatment-for-hair-loss#does-it-work.

Pillai, J., & Mysore, V. (2021). Role of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 14(4), 385. https://doi.org/10.4103/jcas.jcas_218_20.

Steroid Injections for Hair Loss: Effectiveness, Risks & Benefits — Wimpole Clinic. (n.d.). Wimpoleclinic.com. Retrieved April 7, 2024, from https://wimpoleclinic.com/blog/steroid-injections-for-hair-loss-effectiveness-risks-benefits/#:~:text=Intralesional%20corticosteroid%20injections%20have%20been.