Part of Hair restoration: a dermatologist's guide
Erbium laser for hair loss: what a systematic review found
Erbium lasers are used to treat pattern hair loss, often together with minoxidil or PRP. A systematic review of 12 studies found benefits for density, growth and thickness, with few side effects.
Updated
Erbium lasers are a laser treatment used for pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), most often in combination with other treatments. A 2025 systematic review led by Professor Nilforoushzadeh found that both types studied improved hair density, growth rate and thickness, with a generally favourable safety profile.
What did the review include?
The review searched PubMed, Web of Science and Embase up to November 2023 and included 12 clinical studies with 344 patients: six on the Er:YAG laser and six on the erbium:glass laser.
What did it find?
- Both lasers were effective for hair density, growth rate and thickness.
- Erbium:glass lasers worked particularly well in combination, for example with minoxidil or PRP.
- Er:YAG lasers showed promising results, though some studies reported variable patient satisfaction and cosmetic outcomes.
- Side effects were generally minimal.
What are the limits?
Treatment protocols and patient responses varied between studies, and the authors call for further research to settle the best settings and combinations. Laser treatment is therefore best seen as one part of a plan for androgenetic alopecia, alongside established medicines, rather than a stand-alone cure. The hair restoration guide shows where it fits.
Questions
Is laser treatment for hair loss painful?
Side effects in the reviewed studies were generally minimal. How a session feels depends on the device and settings, which the treating dermatologist can explain beforehand.