LLLT, Minoxidil and Finasteride for Pattern Hair Loss: Adil 2017 Research Summary
This is a plain-language summary of the original published research. We do not add conclusions or opinions of our own. This is not medical advice — consult a certified healthcare practitioner before making any decision.
Original research published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2017
The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Study conclusion
This study compared the three main non-surgical treatments for pattern hair loss — red light therapy, minoxidil applied to the scalp, and finasteride tablets — against placebo across multiple controlled trials. All three treatments significantly increased hair count. Red light therapy, minoxidil, and finasteride each showed significant improvement in men. Minoxidil also showed significant improvement in women. This was one of the first studies to directly compare effect sizes across these three treatments.
Strength of evidence
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis published in a leading dermatology journal. The score is not higher because the number of trials included for red light therapy was small, follow-up periods were short (under 26 weeks), and the studies used different devices and protocols, making direct comparison across treatments approximate rather than definitive.
Who it applies to
Who was studied
Adults with pattern hair loss caused by genetics and hormones. Men and women. Studies compared each treatment against placebo — not head to head against each other.
Who was NOT studied
People with immune-related patchy hair loss, scarring hair loss, or hair loss caused by medication or illness. People already using combination treatments.
What to look for when shopping
This study confirms that red light therapy, minoxidil, and finasteride all showed significant improvement over placebo. It does not identify which of the three is most effective — the comparisons were each against placebo, not against each other.
What research cannot help you decide
Which of the three treatments works best for your situation. Whether combining treatments produces better results than any single treatment. What happens after stopping any of the treatments.
Key findings
- Red light therapy, minoxidil, and finasteride each significantly increased hair count compared to placebo in men with pattern hair loss
- Minoxidil significantly increased hair count in women with pattern hair loss
- All three treatments showed large effect sizes — the review described them as broadly comparable in magnitude
- The review did not find evidence that any one treatment was clearly superior to the others
- The study found no severe side effects reported for red light therapy across the included trials
What they did
Researchers searched multiple databases for all randomised controlled trials comparing minoxidil, finasteride, or red light therapy against placebo for pattern hair loss in adults. Studies were included only if they reported hair count as a measurable outcome. The standardised mean difference (effect size) was calculated for each treatment group and compared across the three treatments.
What they found
| Comparison | Result | Significant? |
|---|---|---|
| Red light therapy vs placebo — men | Significant increase in hair count | Yes |
| Minoxidil vs placebo — men | Significant increase in hair count | Yes |
| Finasteride vs placebo — men | Significant increase in hair count | Yes |
| Minoxidil vs placebo — women | Significant increase in hair count | Yes |
| Red light therapy vs placebo — women | Data insufficient for separate conclusion | No |
| Head to head: LLLT vs minoxidil vs finasteride | Not directly compared — each was tested against placebo only | No |
What this study does not show
- 1.Which treatment works best. Each treatment was compared against placebo, not against the others directly.
- 2.Whether combining treatments produces better results. The review only studied single treatments against placebo.
- 3.Whether results last after stopping. All included trials ran under 26 weeks.
- 4.What the optimal red light therapy device, wavelength, or schedule is. The included trials used different devices and protocols.
- 5.How the treatments perform in women for red light therapy specifically. The data for women was insufficient to draw a separate conclusion for this treatment.
Limitations
- 1.Treatments were compared against placebo, not against each other. Cross-treatment comparisons are approximate.
- 2.All included trials ran under 26 weeks. Long-term effects are unknown.
- 3.The number of red light therapy trials included was small relative to the minoxidil and finasteride evidence base.
- 4.Different devices, wavelengths, and treatment protocols were used across red light therapy trials, making pooled results harder to apply to any single product.
- 5.The review was published in 2017. More recent studies have added to the evidence base since then.
Who funded it
No funding source was declared for this review. Authors are affiliated with Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. No conflicts of interest were reported.
Used in these articles
Links added as fact-checks and articles citing this study are published.