Fractional Photothermolysis for Hair Follicle Induction
| Status: | Active, not recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Dermatology, Hair Loss |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Dermatology / Plastic Surgery |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 90 |
| Updated: | 7/18/2018 |
| Start Date: | October 20, 2017 |
| End Date: | November 1, 2019 |
Fractional Photothermolysis for the Treatment of Hair Loss
This study is being done to evaluate the effects of fractional photothermolysis (known as
laser resurfacing) using fractional laser for the induction of hair follicles via skin
rejuvenation in subjects with scalp alopecia (specifically, alopecia on the superior forehead
at the frontal hairline). Fractional photothermolysis has been shown to be effective in
promoting hair growth. The investigators will study 50 subjects who will be treated 6-10
times at 2-4 week intervals. Each participant will have half of their head treated with a
laser, either Fraxel DUAL 1550 or Halo by Sciton, and the other half of their head will be
left untreated as a control. Half of the individuals will randomly be assigned to the group
to be treated with Fraxel DUAL 1550, and the other half will be treated with Halo by Sciton.
Visual observation and digital, photographic, non-invasive imaging will be used to compare
the treated and untreated area to assess for differences in hair follicle stimulation rates,
number and density of hairs.
As noted above, the types of lasers we plan to use include the non-ablative fractional laser
settings for the Fraxel DUAL 1550 and Halo by Sciton. A fractional laser is a laser that
directs an intense burst of laser energy on the skin. The treatment deposits heat deep into
the dermis to tighten skin and stimulate collagen remodeling. The necrotic (death of cells or
tissue) injury heals rapidly and adverse effects are few. Laser resurfacing is commonly used
for rejuvenation of the skin to improve quality, tone, and texture.
laser resurfacing) using fractional laser for the induction of hair follicles via skin
rejuvenation in subjects with scalp alopecia (specifically, alopecia on the superior forehead
at the frontal hairline). Fractional photothermolysis has been shown to be effective in
promoting hair growth. The investigators will study 50 subjects who will be treated 6-10
times at 2-4 week intervals. Each participant will have half of their head treated with a
laser, either Fraxel DUAL 1550 or Halo by Sciton, and the other half of their head will be
left untreated as a control. Half of the individuals will randomly be assigned to the group
to be treated with Fraxel DUAL 1550, and the other half will be treated with Halo by Sciton.
Visual observation and digital, photographic, non-invasive imaging will be used to compare
the treated and untreated area to assess for differences in hair follicle stimulation rates,
number and density of hairs.
As noted above, the types of lasers we plan to use include the non-ablative fractional laser
settings for the Fraxel DUAL 1550 and Halo by Sciton. A fractional laser is a laser that
directs an intense burst of laser energy on the skin. The treatment deposits heat deep into
the dermis to tighten skin and stimulate collagen remodeling. The necrotic (death of cells or
tissue) injury heals rapidly and adverse effects are few. Laser resurfacing is commonly used
for rejuvenation of the skin to improve quality, tone, and texture.
Introduction Alopecia is also known as hair loss, and it occurs due to aging, nutritional or
hormonal imbalance, or immune system etiology. It affects both males and females of different
ages and races. Hair may fall out in clumps, break off leaving short stubs, or become thinner
over time. The alopecia can be of a scarring or non-scarring nature. The most common form of
hair loss is non-scarring, or noncicatricial, alopecia. In this case, the damage is not
permanent, and although hair loss cannot be cured, it can be treated. Hair loss is usually
not a sign of an underlying medical disorder. However, hair loss may affect self-esteem and
cause anxiety affecting the quality of life. Scarring, or cicatricial, alopecia is a rare
disorder that destroys the hair follicle and replaces it with scar tissue, resulting in
permanent hair loss.
Causes
There are many genes that contribute to hair loss, so it can be hereditary. There are also
other causes, including:
- Thyroid disorders
- Pregnancy
- Anemia
- Autoimmune diseases like polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Skin conditions like Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis
Treatment Options Topical Minoxidil (Rogaine) and anti-inflammatory medications, such as
topical and intra-lesional steroids, are used for alopecia. It is a solution that is applied
directly to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicle. It slows hair loss, and some people
grow new hair. Hair loss returns when the medication is stopped.
Finasteride is a prescription medicine that interferes with the production of a highly active
form of testosterone that is linked to baldness. It slows hair loss. It works slightly better
than minoxidil. Hair loss returns when you stop using the medicine. This prescription
medication is also sometimes given to women who have been through menopause. Its role in
female pattern hair loss is controversial, with both success and failure reported to occur.
Dutasteride is similar to finasteride, but may be more effective.
Hair transplants are also an option, though they are invasive and expensive. It consists of
removing tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is continuing to grow and placing them
in areas that are balding. This can cause minor scarring and possibly infection.
New Therapy Fractional photothermolysis was originally designed as a form of laser therapy to
treat wrinkles and scars. Although the link between laser treatment and hair growth is not
clear and the exact mechanism still unknown, there is evidence to support that laser
irradiation holds potential for the induction of hair follicles in subjects with alopecia.
Laser therapy has been reported to increase hair growth and activate hair follicles. The
lasers rejuvenate skin, and hair follicles are a part of skin, along with nails, so through
the rejuvenation of skin, these things also get rejuvenated. Clinical examples of
photo-induced hair growth include the paradoxical hair growth after laser hair removal, and
hair growth after some level of wound healing by lasers has been performed. Several studies
have been performed, analyzing the effectiveness of laser treatment of different settings,
and researchers have observed an increase in hair numbers and density on the treatment side
of the head. Improvements were most notable when the laser settings followed a low energy and
high density protocol. A review of the literature demonstrates that more research needs to be
done on this topic, but fractional photothermolysis may be a new, effective way to treat
different types of hair loss. The types of lasers the investigators plan to use include
Fraxel restore and Sciton Halo, a fractional hybrid laser that combines fractional erbium
ablative lasers with a fractional non-ablative laser. The use of the fractional
photothermolysis Fraxel laser and Sciton Halo laser have been approved by the FDA for
treatment of the hands, face, and body. Fraxel received aesthetic clearance in November 2003.
These lasers do not meet the definition of a significant risk device because the
investigators do not believe that they present a potential for serious risk to the health,
safety, or welfare of a subject. Side effects that have been reported from use with these
lasers include redness and tenderness in the area that it was applied, and these side effects
don't last more than a couple days. These lasers do not impair human health.
hormonal imbalance, or immune system etiology. It affects both males and females of different
ages and races. Hair may fall out in clumps, break off leaving short stubs, or become thinner
over time. The alopecia can be of a scarring or non-scarring nature. The most common form of
hair loss is non-scarring, or noncicatricial, alopecia. In this case, the damage is not
permanent, and although hair loss cannot be cured, it can be treated. Hair loss is usually
not a sign of an underlying medical disorder. However, hair loss may affect self-esteem and
cause anxiety affecting the quality of life. Scarring, or cicatricial, alopecia is a rare
disorder that destroys the hair follicle and replaces it with scar tissue, resulting in
permanent hair loss.
Causes
There are many genes that contribute to hair loss, so it can be hereditary. There are also
other causes, including:
- Thyroid disorders
- Pregnancy
- Anemia
- Autoimmune diseases like polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Skin conditions like Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis
Treatment Options Topical Minoxidil (Rogaine) and anti-inflammatory medications, such as
topical and intra-lesional steroids, are used for alopecia. It is a solution that is applied
directly to the scalp to stimulate the hair follicle. It slows hair loss, and some people
grow new hair. Hair loss returns when the medication is stopped.
Finasteride is a prescription medicine that interferes with the production of a highly active
form of testosterone that is linked to baldness. It slows hair loss. It works slightly better
than minoxidil. Hair loss returns when you stop using the medicine. This prescription
medication is also sometimes given to women who have been through menopause. Its role in
female pattern hair loss is controversial, with both success and failure reported to occur.
Dutasteride is similar to finasteride, but may be more effective.
Hair transplants are also an option, though they are invasive and expensive. It consists of
removing tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is continuing to grow and placing them
in areas that are balding. This can cause minor scarring and possibly infection.
New Therapy Fractional photothermolysis was originally designed as a form of laser therapy to
treat wrinkles and scars. Although the link between laser treatment and hair growth is not
clear and the exact mechanism still unknown, there is evidence to support that laser
irradiation holds potential for the induction of hair follicles in subjects with alopecia.
Laser therapy has been reported to increase hair growth and activate hair follicles. The
lasers rejuvenate skin, and hair follicles are a part of skin, along with nails, so through
the rejuvenation of skin, these things also get rejuvenated. Clinical examples of
photo-induced hair growth include the paradoxical hair growth after laser hair removal, and
hair growth after some level of wound healing by lasers has been performed. Several studies
have been performed, analyzing the effectiveness of laser treatment of different settings,
and researchers have observed an increase in hair numbers and density on the treatment side
of the head. Improvements were most notable when the laser settings followed a low energy and
high density protocol. A review of the literature demonstrates that more research needs to be
done on this topic, but fractional photothermolysis may be a new, effective way to treat
different types of hair loss. The types of lasers the investigators plan to use include
Fraxel restore and Sciton Halo, a fractional hybrid laser that combines fractional erbium
ablative lasers with a fractional non-ablative laser. The use of the fractional
photothermolysis Fraxel laser and Sciton Halo laser have been approved by the FDA for
treatment of the hands, face, and body. Fraxel received aesthetic clearance in November 2003.
These lasers do not meet the definition of a significant risk device because the
investigators do not believe that they present a potential for serious risk to the health,
safety, or welfare of a subject. Side effects that have been reported from use with these
lasers include redness and tenderness in the area that it was applied, and these side effects
don't last more than a couple days. These lasers do not impair human health.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Must be between the ages of 18 to 90 years old
- Diagnosed with hair loss on scalp by a dermatology
- No other treatments for hair loss have been done in the past 1 month
- No evidence of spontaneous hair growth
- Good health
- Must agree to comply with study treatment and protocol
- Healthy scalp without evidence of neoplasm
- Scarring and/or non-scarring alopecia acceptable
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any visible signs of neoplasm, infection, inflammatory disease of the scalp
- No history of photosensitivity, impaired wound healing, chronic liver or kidney
disease
- No concurrent use of minoxidil/Rogaine, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or light devices
for hair regrowth
- Has not initiated use of finasteride/Propecia or spironolactone in the 3 months
preceding the study
We found this trial at
1
site
Irvine, California 92697
Phone: 949-824-1732
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