Jitlada Meephansan1, Nawaporn Ungpraphakorn1, Saranyoo Ponnikorn2, Poonkiat Suchonwanit3, Yong Poovorawan4. 1. Division of Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand. 2. Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand. 3. Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A new treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a 1,550-nm erbium-glass (Er:Glass) fractional laser. The wound healing process associated with this treatment is believed to be due to the stimulation of hair regrowth. Both the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) proteins and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are important molecules that promote new hair growth. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 1,550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser treatment and determine the gene expression of IGF-1 and Wnt/β-catenin in patients with AGA. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with AGA were enrolled. They received 12 treatments at 2-week intervals. A scalp biopsy was performed to evaluate mRNA levels of Wnt10A and IGF-1. Histopathologic samples were collected. RESULTS: Significant increases in hair count and shaft diameter that occurred from Month 4 until the end of the study were observed. Histological results showed increases in the follicular unit, anagen hair count, and the anagen:telogen ratio. No up-regulation of Wnt10A and IGF-1 mRNA was observed. CONCLUSION: The 1,550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser treatment can increase hair density and shaft diameter in patients with AGA. The mechanisms by which 1,550-nm Er:Glass laser treatment induces new hair growth may not be limited to Wnt10A/β-catenin or IGF-1 expression.
BACKGROUND: A new treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a 1,550-nm erbium-glass (Er:Glass) fractional laser. The wound healing process associated with this treatment is believed to be due to the stimulation of hair regrowth. Both the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) proteins and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are important molecules that promote new hair growth. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 1,550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser treatment and determine the gene expression of IGF-1 and Wnt/β-catenin in patients with AGA. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with AGA were enrolled. They received 12 treatments at 2-week intervals. A scalp biopsy was performed to evaluate mRNA levels of Wnt10A and IGF-1. Histopathologic samples were collected. RESULTS: Significant increases in hair count and shaft diameter that occurred from Month 4 until the end of the study were observed. Histological results showed increases in the follicular unit, anagen hair count, and the anagen:telogen ratio. No up-regulation of Wnt10A and IGF-1 mRNA was observed. CONCLUSION: The 1,550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser treatment can increase hair density and shaft diameter in patients with AGA. The mechanisms by which 1,550-nm Er:Glass laser treatment induces new hair growth may not be limited to Wnt10A/β-catenin or IGF-1 expression.