Subcision for Acne Scars

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Must not be taking: Accutane

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Mental illness, Blood diseases, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 20 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a procedure called multiple subcision to determine its effectiveness in improving the appearance of rolling acne scars. Participants will receive this treatment on one side of their face, while the other side remains untreated. The trial targets individuals with old acne scars that create an uneven skin texture, specifically those without active acne. It may suit individuals with rolling scars on both sides of their face who have been acne-free for some time. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to potentially enhance their skin appearance with a novel approach.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you have used Accutane in the past 6 months.

What prior data suggests that this procedure is safe for treating acne scars?

Research has shown that subcision is generally a safe and effective treatment for acne scars. Studies have found that about 90% of patients experience an improvement in their appearance after subcision. The common side effects, such as swelling, bruising, and pain, are temporary and usually resolve on their own.

One study found that both needle-based and cannula-based subcision methods effectively treat acne scars. Patients often report about a 50% improvement in the appearance of their scars. Importantly, subcision tends to enhance the texture of rolling acne scars without causing significant skin damage.

Overall, research supports subcision as a well-tolerated treatment for acne scars, with manageable side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional treatments for acne scars, which often involve creams, laser therapy, or chemical peels, multiple subcision is a minimally invasive procedure that directly targets the scar tissue beneath the skin. This technique involves using a needle to break up the fibrous bands that cause the skin to dimple or pucker, promoting new collagen formation and allowing the skin to lift and smooth out naturally. Researchers are excited about this method because it offers a more targeted approach that can lead to significant improvements in skin texture, potentially with fewer sessions and less downtime compared to current options.

What evidence suggests that multiple subcision might be an effective treatment for acne scars?

Research has shown that subcision can greatly reduce the appearance of rolling acne scars. In this trial, participants will receive multiple subcision treatments on one side of the face, while the other side will serve as a no-intervention control. Studies have found that about 90% of patients see improvements, with scars looking about 50% better overall. Another study noted a complete improvement in the depth and surface of scars. Subcision works by cutting the tough bands under the skin, which helps the scarred areas rise and smooth out. Overall, subcision offers a promising option for those wanting to improve the look of rolling acne scars. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

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 adults aged 18 to 65 with rolling acne scars on both sides of their face, who are in good health and have no active acne. Participants must understand the study and give informed consent. It's not for those under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, recent Accutane users, individuals prone to severe scarring or with blood diseases like HIV or Hepatitis, or a history of Herpes.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing and able to give permission for my tissue to be used and to communicate with the research team.

I have deep acne scars on both sides of my face.

I do not have active acne.

Exclusion Criteria

I understand the study and can give my consent.

I am under 18 years old.

I have a blood disease like HIV or Hepatitis.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive multiple subcision treatments to their randomized side of the face 5 times total spaced 4 weeks apart

20 weeks

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

16 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Multiple Subcision

Trial Overview The trial is testing if multiple subcision treatments can improve the look of rolling acne scars compared to no treatment at all. This pilot study will assess how feasible this procedure is over several visits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Multiple Subcision Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will receive multiple subcision treatments to their randomized side of the face 5 times total spaced 4 weeks apart.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects will receive no intervention control on the other side of the face.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9868281/

Subcision for Atrophic Acne Scarring: A Comprehensive ... Overall, significant reduction in acne scar severity was more consistently for rolling and boxcar scars than for ice pick scars. Two other ...

2. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/fulltext/2005/03000/subcision_for_acne_scarring__technique_and.11.aspx

Subcision for Acne Scarring Results. Subcision is associated with patient and investigator reports of approximately 50% improvement. Ninety percent of treated patients reported that ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4720458/

Can Subcision with the Cannula be an Acceptable ... Assessment of photographic data showed 100% improvement in scar depth, topography and overall appearance of acne scars. The average numbers of lesions before ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05688202

Simultaneous Versus Sequential Fractional CO2 Laser and ... Numerous studies have demonstrated that the combination of fractional CO2 laser and subcision is more efficacious than either treatment alone in treating post- ...

5. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.15480

Subcision in acne scarring: A review of clinical trials Overall improvement was 73.9% on the Nokor needle side versus 65.2% on the cannula side 3 months after the last session. Both techniques ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15841633/

Subcision for acne scarring: technique and outcomes in 40 ... Ninety percent of treated patients reported that subcision improved their appearance. The side effects of swelling, bruising, and pain are transient, but ...