Ice Pack and Topical EMLA cream for Laser Hair Removal

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Phase 4

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Disqualifiers: Allergy to lidocaine, Methemoglobinemia, Bleeding tendency, Keloid, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 session

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether ice packs or numbing cream is better at reducing pain during laser hair removal under the arms. Ice packs work by cooling the skin, and the cream works by blocking pain signals.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial investigators.

Is the combination of Ice Pack and Topical EMLA cream safe for use in humans?

EMLA cream, which contains lidocaine and prilocaine, is generally safe and well-tolerated for pain relief in various procedures, but it can cause mild skin reactions. However, excessive application can lead to serious side effects, such as central nervous system toxicity, especially in children. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment with Ice Pack and Topical EMLA cream for laser hair removal differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it combines an ice pack with EMLA cream, a topical anesthetic made from lidocaine and prilocaine, to reduce pain during laser hair removal. EMLA cream is known for its effectiveness in numbing the skin for various procedures, and using it with an ice pack may enhance pain relief compared to other methods. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Research Team

Murad Alam, MD

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Caucasian or Asian females aged 18-65 with Fitzpatrick skin type I-III and coarse dark axillary hair, who are in good health and can communicate with investigators. It's not for those with certain skin conditions, scarring histories, allergies to lidocaine/prilocaine, bleeding disorders, pregnancy/lactation, mental illnesses or inability to consent.

Inclusion Criteria

Subjects are in good health.

Subjects can provide informed consent.

You are female.

Exclusion Criteria

You have a history of cold-induced hives.

You have a history of raised and thick scars after injury or surgery.

You have a current injury or unusual feeling in your skin.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either ice pack or topical EMLA cream for pain control during laser axillary hair removal

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for pain control effectiveness after treatment

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Ice Pack
• Topical EMLA cream

Trial Overview The study compares the effectiveness of using an ice pack versus EMLA cream (a numbing cream) to reduce pain during laser hair removal under the arms. This pilot study will assess how feasible these pain control methods are.

Participant Groups

Group I: Ice Pack Active Control 1 Intervention

Group II: Topical EMLA cream Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

Findings from Research

EMLA cream, a combination of lidocaine and prilocaine, effectively treated post-herpetic neuralgia that was resistant to other therapies, demonstrating its potential as a viable option for pain management.

The cream works by penetrating the skin into the dermis after being applied for 1 to 2 hours, allowing for localized anesthesia and relief from nerve pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of EMLA cream in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. Litman, SJ., Vitkun, SA., Poppers, PJ.[2019]

References

1. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Home application of EMLA cream prior to venipuncture. Is it feasible in pediatric ENT day care surgery? [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermal effects and pharmacokinetic evaluation of the lidocaine/prilocaine cream in healthy Chinese volunteers. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A clinical comparison of topical piroxicam and EMLA cream for pain relief and inflammation in laser hair removal. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% EMLA cream. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CNS toxicity after topical application of EMLA cream on a toddler with molluscum contagiosum. [2019]

6. Singapore pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial of EMLA® Cream (Eutectic Lidocaine/Prilocaine Cream) for Analgesia Prior to Cryotherapy of Plantar Warts in Adults. [2020]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomised double blind trial of EMLA for the control of pain related to cryotherapy in the treatment of genital HPV lesions. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of EMLA cream in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. [2019]