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NCT Number: NCT07225348

Treatment of Perioral Wrinkles Using Topical Poly-L-lactic Acid and Microneedling Device

The first goal of this clinical trial is to learn if topical application of PLLA in conjunction with a microneedling treatment works to treat perioral wrinkles in adults. The second goal is to see whether the application of topical PLLA is more effective before or after a microneedling treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is PLLA present within the MN channels from in vivo biopsy samples? * Is it safe to combine topical PLLA and MN in the treatment of perioral wrinkles, as determined by the incidence and severity of adverse events in healthy subjects? * Does overall aesthetic and skin texture improve in combining microneedling with topical PLLA in the treatment of mild to moderate perioral wrinkles? * Is it the treatment of topical PLLA more effective when applied before or after a microneedling treatment.

Researchers will compare the application of PLLA before a microneedling treatment to a microneedling treatment with PLLA application after to see which treatment method is more effective.

Participants will:

- receive 2 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart of topical PLLA and microneedling

Recruiting

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Key information

Conditions

Age range

40 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

SkinCare Physicians

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 02467, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Jeffrey S Dover, MD, FRCPC

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Jessica G Labadie, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

6176936125 ext. 1750

Jessica G Labadie, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Joaninha Barbosa, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

6177311600 ext. 1625

Michael Kaminer, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Males and non-pregnant, non-lactating females 40-70 years of age
  • Fitzpatrick Skin Type I-IV
  • Wrinkle severity graded by the investigator (1-3 on Lemperle scale)
  • Able to provide written informed consent, understand and be willing to comply with all study related procedures and follow-up visits
  • Signed informed consent obtained before any study-specific procedure is performed.

Exclusion criteria

  • Lesions suspicious for any malignancy, actinic keratosis, melasma, vitiligo, cutaneous papules/nodules or active inflammatory lesions in the area to be treated
  • Tenderness in the treatment rea
  • History of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring
  • History of trauma or surgery to the treatment area
  • Scar present in the areas to be treated
  • Silicone or synthetic material injections in the areas to be treated
  • Injection of fat, collagen, hyaluronic acid or other dermal fillers in the areas to be treated within the previous 12 months
  • History of treatment with dermabrasion or laser in the areas to be treated within the previous 12 months
  • History of treatment with botulinum toxin injections in the areas to be treated within the prior 6 months
  • Active smokers (0.5 pack/day) or having quit within 3 months prior treatment
  • Active, chronic, or recurrent infection
  • History of compromised immune system or currently being treated with immunosuppressive agents
  • History of sensitivity to analgesic agents, Aquaphor, topical or local anesthetics
  • Excessive sun exposure and use of tanning beds or tanning creams within 30 days prior to treatment
  • Treatment with fish oil within 14 days prior to treatment
  • Treatment with aspirin or other blood thinning agents within 14 days prior to treatment
  • History or presence of any clinically significant bleeding disorder
  • Co-morbid condition that in the Investigator's opinion could limit ability to participate in the study or to comply with follow-up requirements
  • History of drug and/or alcohol abuse
  • Any issue that, at the discretion of the investigator, would interfere with assessment of safety or efficacy or compromise the subject's ability to safely undergo study procedures or give informed consent
  • Treatment with an investigational device or agent within 30 days before treatment or during the study period

Treatment and study plan

Poly-L-Lactic Acid

Drug

Topical PLLA diluted with 8cc of sterile water

Other names: Sculptra

microneedling

Device

Microneedling treatment of the perioral region

Other names: Eclipse Skin Pen with glide OR MD needle Pen

Primary outcomes

  1. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS)

    Time frame: 120 days

    blinded in person GAIS scores

Secondary outcomes

  1. Lemperle Wrinkle Scale

    Time frame: 120 days

    three blinded raters, who will judge scores of pre- and post-treatment photographs using the Lemperle Wrinkle Scale

  2. Lemperle Wrinkle Scale

    Time frame: 120 days

    treating investigator reported score using the Lemperle Wrinkle Scale

  3. Canfield VISIA measurements

    Time frame: 120 days

    wrinkle severity scores as calculated by the computerized Canfield VISIA measurements

  4. GAIS

    Time frame: 120 days

    subject and treating investigator reported score using the GAIS

Other outcomes

  1. Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events

    Time frame: 120 days

    the incidence and severity of systemic and cutaneous adverse events

  2. Histologic endpoint

    Time frame: 120 days

    PLLA particles visualized within MN channels on H&E with polariscopic examination

  3. Molecular Endpoint

    Time frame: 120 days

    Molecular testing (Gene Markers)

Study contacts

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

Jessica G Labadie, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

6176936125 ext. 1705

Joaninha Barbosa, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

6177311600 ext. 1625

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Skincare Physicians of Chestnut Hill

Other

Collaborators

  • Galderma R&D

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 6, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 5, 2025

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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