Experience of Novelty Laser Therapy Emission with 675 nm Wavelength for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Male and Female Patients: A Case Series Study.

Background: Alopecia androgenetica is the most common type of hair loss. It is estimated that 60-70% of the world's population is affected, with men having a slight advantage. This condition supports a progressive hair thinning in androgen-sensitive zones, as defined by the Hamilton and Norwood classifications for men and Ludwig classifications for women. There are numerous published studies that show the effect of red light (650-675 nm) on hair growth biostimulation. Objective: To validate this correlation, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of 675 nm laser emission for the management of alopecia androgenetica in female and male subjects. Methods: A total of 17 subjects (6 women and 11 men) aged from 18 to 65 years, without other comorbidities, with an alopecia androgenetica grade ranges between I-II in women (according to Ludvig scale) and I-II-III in men (according to Hamilton scale) were enrolled in the study between October and December 2021. All patients underwent 10 sessions of 675 nm laser treatment, each lasting 20 min, without the use of concomitant systemic or topical therapies. Results: The results verified at epiluminescence stage, and at the third month of follow-up and at the end of treatment, showed a significant increase in the density of the hair shafts and a reduction of yellow dots and telangiectasias characteristic of alopecia androgenetica. Conclusions: The 675 nm laser showed excellent outcomes resulting in a 60% reduction of the miniaturization process in the treated areas without side effect.

'Omics' approaches for studying the microbiome in Alopecia areata.

Nowadays, the involvement of the microbiome in human health and many human diseases, including that strictly related to the scalphas been brought to the light. Indeed, more recently, authors highlighted the presence of a significant microbial shift both in nonscarring (Androgenetic alopecia and Alopecia areata) and scarring Alopecias. The advent of novel technologies together with the effort of many scientists in the microbiome field could provide in the nearest future a clearest framework about the strict relationship between human healthiness and symbiotic microorganism resident on different ecosystem of our body. In this view, the use of Omics approaches has to be considered as no longer negligible when studying the microbiome implication in human health and disease.

Coupled blue and red light-emitting diodes therapy efficacy in patients with rosacea: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition affecting approximately 5% of the world population. Therapeutic approaches to rosacea are focused on symptom suppression by means of anti-inflammatory agents. More recently, photodynamic therapy, especially light-emitting diodes, has been introduced as a valid alternative to conventional therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: In the present work, we reported the efficacy and safety of light-emitting diodes therapy combining blue (480 nm) and red (650 nm) light for the treatment of two patients with papulopustular rosacea: a 22-year-old Caucasian woman and a 68-year-old Caucasian man. CONCLUSIONS: This kind of treatment could represent an effective, safer, and well-tolerated approach for the treatment of such conditions.

Scalp bacterial shift in Alopecia areata.

The role of microbial dysbiosis in scalp disease has been recently hypothesized. However, little information is available with regards to the association between microbial population on the scalp and hair diseases related to hair growth. Here we investigated bacterial communities in healthy and Alopecia areata (AA) subjects. The analysis of bacterial distribution at the genus level highlighted an increase of Propionibacterium in AA subjects alongside a general decrease of Staphylococcus. Analysis of log Relative abundance of main bacterial species inhabiting the scalp showed a significant increase of Propionibacterium acnes in AA subjects compared to control ones. AA scalp condition is also associated with a significant decrease of Staphylococcus epidermidis relative abundance. No significant changes were found for Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, data from sequencing profiling of the bacterial population strongly support a different microbial composition of the different area surrounded hair follicle from the epidermis to hypodermis, highlighting differences between normal and AA affected the scalp. Our results highlight, for the first time, the presence of a microbial shift on the scalp of patients suffering from AA and gives the basis for a larger and more complete study of microbial population involvement in hair disorders.

Randomized controlled trial on a PRP-like cosmetic, biomimetic peptides based, for the treatment of alopecia areata.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring auto-immune hair disorder. Recent researches explained the role of growth factors (GFs) in hair follicle cycling. The main reservoir of GFs are alpha-granules of platelets and novel procedures have been implemented aimed at collecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP has been safely implemented in many medical applications and has also been successfully used as alternative cell-based therapy for the treatment of hair growth disorders, among which also AA. Objectives: By means of a randomized double-blinded, placebo and active-controlled, parallel group study we have studied the efficacy of a cosmetic product (named TR-M-PRP plus) comprising biomimetic peptides specific for hair growth, mimicking PRP composition for the treatment of AA. Subjects were treated for three months and evaluated, at the end of the study and after one month of follow-up, as regards hair growth using SALT score. Results: TR-M-PRP plus-like topic produced a statistically significant (p < .001) clinical improvement in SALT score after 3 months of therapy, compared to baseline. Hair growth results further improved after 1 month of follow-up. Conclusions: This clinical investigation suggests that the biotechnological designed PRP-like cosmetic could represent a valid and safer alternative to autologous PRP for the treatment of AA.

Photodynamic and photobiological effects of light-emitting diode (LED) therapy in dermatological disease: an update.

Benefit deriving from the use of light is known since ancient time, but, only in the last decades of twentieth century, we witnessed the rapid expansion of knowledge and techniques. Light-emitted diode (LED)-based devices represent the emerging and safest tool for the treatment of many conditions such as skin inflammatory conditions, aging, and disorders linked to hair growth. The present work reviews the current knowledge about LED-based therapeutic approaches in different skin and hair disorders. LED therapy represents the emerging and safest tool for the treatment of many conditions such as skin inflammatory conditions, aging, and disorders linked to hair growth. The use of LED in the treatment of such conditions has now entered common practice among dermatologists. Additional controlled studies are still needed to corroborate the efficacy of such kind of treatment.

New multi-targeting strategy in hair growth promotion: in vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND: Considering the importance of hair in our modern society and the impact of hair loss, the efforts of researchers are addressed to better understand the mechanisms behind the hair cycle regulation and dysregulation. Because hair loss is multifactorial, differenced and new approaches are required. In particular we addressed our attention to two recently identified targets in hair cycling and growth control: olfactory receptor and autophagy. The aim of the study was to evaluate: the possible pro-autophagic effect of N1-methylspermidine (a spermidine analogue) in vitro and, in a double blind clinical trial, the safety and efficacy of topical daily application of a lotion containing N1-methylspermidine and Sandalore®. METHODS: Autophagic modulation by N1-methylspermidine was monitored in vitro by LC3 and p62 fluorescent signal cell line. Topical daily application of the lotion was tested in 60 male and female subjects with chronic telogen effluvium by means of non-invasive objective evaluation. RESULTS: The results obtained by in vitro tests showed the capacity of N1-methylspermidine to increase autophagic process while the clinical trials performed confirmed the safety and anti hair loss efficacy of the lotion reporting a reduction of hair loss (modified wash test) and hair growth stimulation as evaluated by hair density, hair shaft diameter, % of anagen hair and Hair Mass Index increase after 3 months of treatment. The lotion efficacy remained statistically significant for the above-mentioned parameters, with the exception of hair lost during wash, also 3 months after the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the obtained results, the daily use of the N1-methylspermidine and Sandalore®-based lotion is efficient to counteract hair loss and increase hair growth by a multifunctional targeting approach.

IL-17 inhibition: is it the long-awaited savior for alopecia areata?

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a large number of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including skin disorders such as psoriasis. Recently, much data have accumulated on the possible role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA). In this review, the available information on the connection between AA and IL-17 is described. While IL-17 levels are consistently reported to be elevated in the serum and lesional skin of AA patients, there is no clear connection between IL-17 levels and disease severity or duration. Some evidence has suggested an association between IL-17 and an early-onset disease, although this awaits further confirmation. While there is enough information to support clinical trials with IL-17-targeted treatments, it is possible that they will be effective only in a subset of AA patients. Further studies are warranted to better delineate the exact role of IL-17 in AA pathogenesis.

Drug Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia: First Italian Questionnaire Survey on What Dermatologists Think about Finasteride.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment with finasteride 1 mg/day represents the therapy of choice for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). We investigated how Italian dermatologists approach use of finasteride for treatment of AGA and common side effects reported by patients. METHODS: A tablet-based survey was conducted from February 2017 to January 2018 in Italy to investigating use of 1 mg/day finasteride in the treatment of AGA. Approximately 1153 Italian dermatologists were surveyed about prescription frequency, therapy duration, treatment practices, and side effects eventually reported. RESULTS: Dermatologists considered treatment with 1 mg/day finasteride to be the most efficacious treatment for AGA, as reflecting by its long-term (5 years) prescription. Data on sexual side effects from our survey are in line with previous scientific evidence, especially regarding loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, and problems with ejaculation, but also in the psychological sphere and regarding physical impairments such as myalgia and loss of muscle tone. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first preliminary observational study on how Italian dermatologists approach use of finasteride to treat AGA. Although side effects have been reported, especially in the sexual sphere, lack of alternative treatments with the same efficacy leads dermatologists to prescribe 1 mg/day finasteride with a tendency to prolong therapy in the long term. FUNDING: Giuliani S.p.A.

The human hair: from anatomy to physiology.

BACKGROUND: Hair is a unique character of mammals and has several functions, from protection of the skin to sexual and social communication. In literature, there are various studies about hair that take into consideration different aspects within many fields of science, including biology, dermatology, cosmetics, forensic sciences, and medicine. METHODS: We carried out a search of studies published in PubMed up to 2013. RESULTS: In this review, we summarized the principal anatomical and physiological aspects of the different types of human hair, and we considered the clinical significance of the different structures and the distribution of the hair in the human body. CONCLUSION: This review could be the basis for improvement and progression in the field of hair research.