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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine whether an ice pack or a special numbing cream called EMLA (a topical anesthetic) can better reduce pain during laser hair removal under the arms. It seeks Caucasian or Asian women with fair to medium skin tones and coarse dark hair in this area. Participants should be healthy and able to discuss their experience with researchers. As a pilot study, it tests the practicality of these methods for wider use. As a Phase 4 trial, the treatment is already FDA-approved and proven effective, and it helps to understand how it benefits more patients.

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.

What is the safety track record for these treatments?

Research has shown that using an ice pack after laser hair removal can help reduce pain and swelling. In one study, 60.2% of participants preferred ice packs, and no serious side effects were reported. Ice packs are generally safe and well-tolerated for easing discomfort during laser hair removal.

Topical EMLA cream, which contains the numbing agents lidocaine and prilocaine, is another option to reduce pain during laser hair removal. Some studies indicate it effectively lessens pain, but correct usage is crucial to avoid serious side effects. When used properly, EMLA cream can be a safe choice for pain relief.

Both ice packs and EMLA cream have been used in laser hair removal without major issues when applied correctly. Always follow usage guidelines to ensure safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers enthusiastic about this study treatment?

Researchers are excited about using ice packs and topical EMLA cream for laser hair removal because these methods could significantly enhance patient comfort. Unlike other options that might involve oral pain relievers or more invasive numbing injections, the ice pack offers a simple, non-invasive way to cool the skin and reduce pain quickly. Meanwhile, EMLA cream provides a local anesthetic effect, numbing the skin directly where it's applied, which could be more effective in managing discomfort during the procedure. Together, these treatments could provide a more pleasant experience for patients undergoing laser hair removal, potentially reducing the need for stronger pain management options.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for pain control in laser hair removal?

This trial will compare the effectiveness of ice packs and EMLA cream in reducing pain during laser hair removal. Research has shown that both ice packs and EMLA cream can help reduce pain during the procedure. Participants in this trial may receive either ice packs or EMLA cream. Previous studies indicated that participants reported less pain immediately after treatment when using ice packs compared to EMLA cream, with 60.2% preferring ice packs for pain relief. However, EMLA cream also reduces pain, though not completely, during laser procedures. Both methods are safe, with no serious side effects reported. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Murad Alam, MD

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Citations

1.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36410628/

Comparative effectiveness of ice packs versus topical ...

Participants reported higher VAS scores immediately after laser treatment with lidocaine-prilocaine compared to ice (P = .03). Five minutes after, participants ...

2.

jaad.org

jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(22)03065-1/abstract

Comparative effectiveness of ice packs versus topical ...

Participants reported higher VAS scores immediately after laser treatment with lidocaine-prilocaine compared to ice (P = .03). Five minutes ...

3.

clinicaltrial.be

clinicaltrial.be/en/details/11445?only_active=0&only_eligible=0&only_recruiting=0&per_page=20

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 ...

4.

physiciansweekly.com

physiciansweekly.com/post/efficacy-of-ice-packs-vs-topical-lidocaine-prilocaine-mixture-for-pain-management-during-axilla-laser-hair-removal

Efficacy of Ice Packs Vs. Topical Lidocaine-Prilocaine ...

Participants reported discomfort on the visual analog scale (VAS) immediately after, and five minutes after a laser session served as the primary outcome.

5.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/365587005_Comparative_effectiveness_of_ice_packs_versus_topical_lidocaine-prilocaine_mixture_for_pain_control_in_laser_hair_removal_of_the_axilla_A_rater-blinded_randomized_controlled_trial

Comparative effectiveness of ice packs versus topical ...

After 53 of the 88 treatments (60.2%), participants reported preferring ice (p=0.055). No serious adverse events were reported. Limitations All ...

6.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962222030651

Comparative effectiveness of ice packs versus topical ...

Pain control immediately after treatment appears to be greater with ice pack use than with topical lidocaine-prilocaine cream.

7.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532248/

Laser Complications - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH

In general, the complications from laser surgery can be mitigated by combining proper technique with appropriate patient and device selection.

8.

openaccessjournals.com

openaccessjournals.com/articles/laser-hair-removalmechanisms-and-complications.pdf

Laser hair removal-Mechanisms and complications

This review provides a study of the complications related to Laser Hair Removal (LHR) along with the complication management pertaining to laser hair removal ...

9.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507861/

Laser Hair Removal - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

Although most machines have inbuilt cooling systems, ice packs or cooling agents may be used post-procedure to minimize pain and swelling. In ...