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NCT Number: NCT02318654

Ice Versus EMLA for Pain in Laser Hair Removal

The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of ice pack to topical eutectic mixture of local anesthesia (EMLA) for pain control in diode 810 nm laser axillary hair removal.

This study is a pilot study designed to determine feasibility of these procedures.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

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

  • Subjects are Caucasian or Asian females.
  • Subjects are 18-65 years old.
  • Subjects have Fitzpatrick skin type I-III and coarse dark axillary hair.
  • Subjects are in good health.
  • Subjects can provide informed consent.
  • Subjects have the willingness and the ability to understand and communicate with the investigators.

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects who are allergic to lidocaine or prilocaine.
  • History of methemoglobinemia.
  • History of recurrent petechial or purpuric lesions.
  • Bleeding tendency or coagulopathy.
  • History of laser treatment in axilla.
  • History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.
  • Pregnant or lactating or intends to become pregnant in the next 3 months.
  • Active skin disease or skin infection in the treatment area.
  • Subjects with known mental illness or other psychological conditions, such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and cognitive disorders.
  • History of cold urticaria.
  • History of current injury or abnormal skin sensation.
  • Unable to understand the protocol or to give informed consent.
  • Any other condition that would, in the professional opinion of the investigator, potentially affect response or participation in the clinical clinical study, or would pose as an unacceptable risk to subject.

Treatment and study plan

ice pack

Other

Subjects will have 600 grams of ice in clear plastic bag size 18 x 23 cm applied to the randomized axilla for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the ice pack will be removed and laser hair treatment will be performed.

Topical EMLA cream

Drug

Topical EMLA will be applied approximately 2 mm thick to the randomized axilla with a wooden tongue depressor wrapped with impermeable plastic occlusion dressing for 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, the drug will be removed with regular gauze and saline and laser hair treatment will be performed.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain using the SF-MPQ immediately after treatment

    Time frame: immediately (at 0 min) after laser treatment

  2. Pain using the SF-MPQ 5 minutes after treatment

    Time frame: 5 mins after laster treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparing the Efficacy of Ice Pack Versus Topical EMLA for Pain Control in Laser Axillary Hair Removal: A Randomized Control Trial

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Dec 17, 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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