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NCT Number: NCT07340671

Facial Papules in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA)

The objective is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Cutera 1726 nm laser system (also referred to as AviClear) for the treatment of facial papules in frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA).

Recruiting

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Miami

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ariel Eber, MD

CONTACT

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Female or Male
  • Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Has clinically diagnosed FFA with facial papules.
  • Subject must be able to read, speak, and understand English or Spanish and sign the Informed Consent Form.
  • Willing and able to adhere to the treatment and follow-up schedule and pre/post-treatment care instructions.
  • No contraindication to laser therapy.
  • Willing to have photographs taken of the treatment area and agree to the use of photographs for presentation, educational or marketing purposes.
  • Agree to not undergo any other procedure(s) or add any new treatment modalities in the treatment area during the study.
  • Willing to use investigator approved skincare topicals and follow investigator approved skincare regimen for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Prior treatment to the target area during participation in a clinical trial of another device or drug within 1 month (30 days) prior to study participation.
  • Prior treatment to the target area within 3 months of study participating including chemical peel, dermabrassion, microneedling, radiofrequency treatment, laser or light-based procedures, cryodestruction or chemodestruction, intralesional steroids, photodynamic therapy, or acne surgery.
  • Prior injection of botulinum toxin in the target area within 3 months of study participation and for the duration of the study.
  • Systemic use of retinoid, such as isotretinoin, within 3 months of study participation.
  • Still healing from another treatment in the target area according to investigator's discretion.
  • History of malignant tumors in the target area.
  • Pregnant and/or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the study.
  • History of diagnosed immunosuppression/immune deficiency or currently using immunosuppressive medications.
  • History of diagnosed connective tissue disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma.
  • Any use of medication that is known to increase sensitivity to light according to Investigator's discretion.
  • History of disease stimulated by heat, such as recurrent herpes simplex and/or herpes zoster (shingles) in the target area, unless treatment is conducted following a prophylactic regimen.
  • History of radiation to the target area, currently undergoing treatment for skin cancer in the target area, or undergoing systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
  • History of diagnosed pigmentary disorders (including vitiligo) in the target area.
  • Excessively tanned in the treatment area or unable/unlikely to refrain from tanning in the target area during the study.
  • History of keloids or hypertrophic scarring.
  • Prisoners
  • As per the Investigator's discretion, any physical, mental or medical condition which might make it unsafe for the subject to participate in this study, might interfere with patient's participation in the full study protocol, or might interfere with the diagnosis or assessment of facial papules.

Treatment and study plan

Cutera® 1726 nm laser system

Device

Participants will receive 3 laser treatments at 4 (±1) week intervals and will be followed at approximately at 12 (± 2) weeks post treatment completion onsite.

Other names: Cutera®, AviClear®

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in lesion size (papule diameter in mm) measured by dermatoscope and ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline periprocedural and through study completion (an average of 30 weeks)

    Lesion size will be assessed using dermatoscope and ultrasound imaging. Measurements will be recorded in millimeters (mm) and compared to baseline values to evaluate treatment response.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in lesion count measured by physical examination

    Time frame: Baseline periprocedural and through study completion (an average of 30 weeks)

    Lesions will be counted manually during physical examination at each time point. Counts will be compared to baseline to assess treatment response

  2. Change in lesion depth measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and/or ultrasound

    Time frame: Baseline, periprocedural, and through study completion (an average of 30 weeks)

    Using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and/or ultrasound to measure subsurface changes, including lesion depth and size. Measurements will be compared to baseline to evaluate treatment response.

  3. Change in appearance of facial papules assessed by standardized global photography

    Time frame: Baseline, periprocedural and through study completion (an average of 30 weeks)

    Facial papule appearance will be documented using standardized global photographs at each time point. Images will be evaluated for visual changes compared to baseline.

  4. Change in Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score (9-point ordinal scale)

    Time frame: Baseline and through study completion (an average of 30 weeks)

    A board-certified physician will evaluate overall lesion severity using a standardized 9-point ordinal scale. Scores range from 0-8, with higher scores indicate greater severity. Scores at follow-up will be compared to baseline to assess treatment response.

  5. Blinded dermatologist evaluation

    Time frame: After data collection is completed (an average of 30 weeks from baseline)

    Before and after photos will be provided to three blinded dermatologists. Dermatologists will be asked to identify the correct before and after photos. Correct identification greater than or equal to 80% percent of the time is considered statistically significant.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Leigh Nattkemper, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

305-588-9734

Maria V Muniz

CONTACT

[email protected]

305-689-2646

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Miami

Other

Collaborators

  • Cutera Inc.

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluating the Efficacy of the 1726nm Laser for the Treatment of Facial Papules in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA)

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 24, 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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