Fraxel Laser for Alopecia

A Pilot Study on 1550 nm Fractional Erbium-glass Laser for Alopecia Treatment

This is a pilot study to evaluate the effect of the 1550 nm fractional erbium-glass laser in patients with nonscarring alopecias. Participants currently living in the Chicago metropolitan area and meet inclusion/exclusion criteria will be considered for enrollment. Participants will receive 5 sessions of laser, 30 days apart, to the area of alopecia on the scalp. Follow-up is at 150 days.

This study was a pilot study designed to determine feasibility of this procedure.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females ≥ 18 years old
2. Subjects are in good health as judged by the investigator.
3. Diagnosed by a dermatologist with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata.
4. Subject is seeking treatment for alopecia.
5. Subject has never previously used finasteride or minoxidil or has consistently used finasteride or minoxidil for at least 1 year.
6. Subjects who are willing and have the ability to understand and provide informed consent for participation in the study and are able to communicate with the investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Evidence of another skin condition affecting the treatment area that would interfere with clinical assessments.
2. Subjects who are unwilling to avoid initiating treatment with minoxidil or finasteride for the duration of the study; or in subjects who have been treated with minoxidil or finasteride for at least 1 year, unwilling to avoid changes in the dosing regimen of these medications for the duration of the study.
3. Willing to refrain from washing hair or using hair product 24 hours before and after treatment visits
4. History of recurrent facial or labial herpes simplex infection
5. History of hypertrophic scars or keloids
6. Subjects who have any requirement for the use of local or systemic steroids or other immunosuppressive agent
7. Pregnant or breast feeding
8. Uncooperative patients or patients with neurological disorders who are incapable of following directions or who are predictably unwilling to return for follow-up examinations.
9. Subjects who are unable to understand the protocol or give informed consent.