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

Tanakol A., Oba M. Ç., Uzuncakmak T. K., Askin Ö., Kutlubay Z.

Dermatologic Therapy, cilt.33, sa.6, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 33 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1111/dth.13978
  • Dergi Adı: Dermatologic Therapy
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: ablative fractional laser, alopecia areata, treatment, 308-NM EXCIMER-LASER, TREATING ALOPECIA, EFFICACY, THERAPY
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet

Özet

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.