Single-center, open-label, baseline-controlled, pilot study evaluating the use of a Nonablative 1470 nm laser for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and scarring alopecia.
Single-center, open-label, baseline-controlled, pilot study evaluating the use of a Nonablative 1470 nm laser for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and scarring alopecia. The study may enroll up to 10 participants looking for improvement in their hair loss. All participants will have biopsy-proven alopecia before enrollment. There will be two treatment arms with 5 participants in the androgenetic alopecia arm and 5 participants in the scarring alopecia arm. Multiple treatment areas of the scalp may be performed. Each subject will receive up to three treatments. Follow-up visits are planned for months 6, 9, 12, and 15. Standardized photography, hair density measurement of the treated scalp areas will be recorded Pre and Post Treatment at each visit. Measurement outcomes will be compared to baseline. During the initial visit, subjects who meet the study's eligibility criteria will receive the first treatment after signing informed consent form. For this study, the investigators will use non-ablative HALO laser (1470nm) (Sciton). The non-ablative fractionated treatments with minimal downtime provide synergistic benefit of minimizing tissue damage while improving treatment tolerance and efficiency. The laser works by creating micro-channels in the dermis of the pilosebaceous unit, while leaving bridges of untouched tissue for improved permeability, faster healing, and enhanced delivery of topical treatments. The laser creates controlled zones of coagulation within the dermis. The parameters of the laser will be set according to optimal operation protocol and in accordance with guidelines set forth by Sciton. Each laser treatment will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes per subject. Pretreatment procedure will consist of topical anesthetic then cleaning of the affected area of the scalp with antiseptic, either 70% ethanol or 3% hydrogen peroxide. Post-treatment care will follow standard of care, including the application of topical betamethasone dipropionate cream 0.05% to the treated area. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the 1470 nm laser for dermatologic purposes. This study will use the laser off-label for the treatment of alopecia. This laser has been approved for the treatment of skin, however, it has not been tested for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia or scarring alopecia, thus this is a novel study to investigate its effectiveness The follow up phase will consist of clinical assessments including before and after photographs graded by blinded observers and hair density evaluation using Canfield HairMetrix ® device. Subjects are instructed to inform clinical staff after the treatment if they experience any adverse events and will complete patient questionnaires, pain score, and self-assessment of hair growth.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
10
Patients will be treated with the 1470nm non-ablative laser.
Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care
Elmsford, New York, United States
RECRUITINGLive and Photographic assessment of hair loss
Live and Photographic assessment of hair loss will be assessed using the 7-point Clinician rated Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (CGAIS). The GAIS is a standardized tool used in dermatology and aesthetic medicine to evaluate treatment success for hair loss (such as androgenetic and scarring alopecia). The 7-point GAIS is scored using a scale ranging from -3 (Greatly decreased - hair growth and density) to 3 (Greatly increased - hair growth and density). A score of zero represents no change.
Time frame: Month 1 (baseline), Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, Month 15
Hair Density
Hair density will be assessed using the Canfield HairMetrix imaging device. The average number of hairs per follicular unit will be summarized by arm using descriptive statistics.
Time frame: Month 1 (baseline), and during the four follow-up periods at Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, and Month 15 (i.e., up to 14 months after initial treatment)
Hair Counts
Hair counts will also be assessed using the Canfield HairMetrix imaging device. Hair counts/cm\^2 will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.
Time frame: Month 1 (baseline), and during the four follow-up periods at Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, and Month 15 (i.e., up to 14 months after initial treatment)
Subject Satisfaction - Overall
Overall subject satisfaction will be assessed using a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Participants will be asked to complete the assessment while referring to their image in the mirror and current post-treatment photos compared to baseline photos. Specifically, participants will be asked to "Please choose the option that better represents the change in how your hair looks OVERALL in the area treated?" using a scale ranging from -3 (Greatly decreased) to 3 (Greatly increased). A score of zero represents no change. Scores will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.
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Time frame: Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, and Month 15
Subject Satisfaction - Hair Thickness
Subject satisfaction with hair thickness will be assessed using a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Participants will be asked to complete the assessment while referring to their image in the mirror and current post-treatment photos compared to baseline photos. Specifically, participants will be asked to "Please choose the option that better represents the change in your hair THICKNESS in the area treated?" using a scale ranging from -3 (Greatly decreased) to 3 (Greatly increased). A score of zero represents no change. Scores will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.
Time frame: Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, and Month 15
Subject Satisfaction - Hair Shedding/Loss
Subject satisfaction with hair shedding/loss will be assessed using a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Participants will be asked to complete the assessment while referring to their image in the mirror and current post-treatment photos compared to baseline photos. Specifically, participants will be asked to "Please choose the option that better represents the change in your hair SHEDDING/LOSS in the area treated?" using a scale ranging from -3 (Greatly decreased) to 3 (Greatly increased). A score of zero represents no change. Scores will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.
Time frame: Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, and Month 15
Subject Satisfaction - Hair Darkness
Subject satisfaction with hair darkness will be assessed using a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Participants will be asked to complete the assessment while referring to their image in the mirror and current post-treatment photos compared to baseline photos. Specifically, participants will be asked to "Please choose the option that better represents the change in your hair DARKNESS in the area treated?" using a scale ranging from -3 (Greatly decreased) to 3 (Greatly increased). A score of zero represents no change. Scores will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.
Time frame: Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, and Month 15
Subject Satisfaction - Satisfaction with Treatment
Subject satisfaction with treatment will be assessed using a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Participants will be asked to complete the assessment while referring to their image in the mirror and current post-treatment photos compared to baseline photos. Specifically, participants will be asked "How would you characterize your satisfaction with the treatment?" based on the following ordinal scale: Very Satisfied; Satisfied; Slightly Satisfied; Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied; or Dissatisfied. Results will be summarized by study arm.
Time frame: Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, Month 12, and Month 15