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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02216864

Effect of Multiple Subcisions on Rolling Acne Scars

The purpose of this study is to find out whether the use of multiple subcisions over several visits will improve the appearance of rolling acne scars compared to no treatment.

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

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Key information

Conditions

Acne Scars

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 to 65
  • Have bilateral rolling acne scars on each side of their face
  • No active or ongoing acne.
  • The subjects are in good health
  • The subject has the willingness and the ability to understand and provide informed consent for the use of their tissue and communicate with the investigator.

Exclusion criteria

  • Under 18 years of age
  • Pregnancy or Lactation
  • Subjects who are unable to understand the protocol or to give informed consent
  • Subjects with mental illness
  • Recent Accutane use in the past 6 months
  • Subjects prone to hypertrophic and keloidal scarring
  • Subjects reporting any blood diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, etc.)
  • Subjects reporting a history of Herpes (oral or genital)

Treatment and study plan

Multiple Subcision

Procedure

At the start of the procedure, a straight vitrectomy knife will be inserted subdermally and will be slowly advanced parallel to the dermis. Rapid advancement and retraction of the needle under the scarred area in a lancing motion will be performed to abrade the underside of the dermis followed by side to side sweeping motions attempting to break any fibrous attachments to the deeper tissues.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in acne scarring compared to baseline after treatments

    Time frame: Baseline and 36 weeks

    The change in acne scarring is measured using a quantitative global scarring grading system to compare baseline to the treatment.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Pilot Split Face Randomized, Evaluator Blinded Study on the Effect of Multiple Subcisions on Rolling Acne Scars

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 15, 2014
Registry last updated
Jul 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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