Subcision + Suction for Acne Scars

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Must not be taking: Accutane

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Mental illness, Scarring, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 months

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Subcision + Suction for acne scars?

Research shows that subcision is a safe and effective treatment for improving acne scars, especially when combined with other therapies like lasers. It has been beneficial in treating 'rolling scars' and can enhance results when used with additional treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Subcision + Suction treatment for acne scars safe?

Subcision is generally considered a safe procedure for treating acne scars, with modifications and combinations with other treatments like suction improving its safety and effectiveness. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How does the Subcision + Suction treatment for acne scars differ from other treatments?

Subcision + Suction is unique because it combines subcision, which releases scar tissue from underlying skin layers to promote new tissue growth, with suction to enhance the separation and healing process. This combination aims to improve the effectiveness of subcision alone, which can have a high recurrence rate when used without additional methods. ^{1 3 5 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing whether using a suction device along with regular acne scar treatments helps improve the scars more than using the regular treatment alone. It targets people with acne scars and aims to see if suction can make the treatment work better by enhancing healing and cleaning.

Research Team

Murad Alam, MD

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 in good health with bilateral rolling acne scars. Participants must understand and consent to the study's use of their tissue. It excludes those under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, anyone unable to consent, people with mental illness, recent Accutane users, and those prone to severe scarring.

Inclusion Criteria

You must be in good physical condition.

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

I have acne scars on both sides of my face that are deep and rolling.

Exclusion Criteria

I have not used Accutane in the last 6 months.

I am under 18 years old.

Prone to hypertrophic and keloidal scarring

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive standard treatment for acne scars, with one group also receiving suction

4 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Subcision
• Suction

Trial Overview The study aims to see if combining standard treatment (subcision) for acne scars with suction improves outcomes compared to subcision alone. Subcision involves breaking up scar tissue beneath the skin; suction may enhance this effect.

Participant Groups

Group I: Subcision & Suction Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Standard treatment for acne scars followed by suction.

Group II: Subcision Active Control 1 Intervention

Standard treatment for acne scars only

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

References

1. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acne scar subcision. [2021]

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

Subcision for acne scarring: technique and outcomes in 40 patients. [2019]

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

Evaluating the effectiveness of stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) cells along with subcision method in the treatment of acne scars: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial study. [2023]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of CO2 laser with subcision in patients with acne scars. [2017]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Subcision in acne scar with and without subdermal implant: a clinical trial. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Subcision in acne scarring: A review of clinical trials. [2023]

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

Blunt Blade Subcision: An Evolution in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars. [2022]

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

Surgical Subcision for Acne Scars: A Review of Instrumentation. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Subcision-suction method: a new successful combination therapy in treatment of atrophic acne scars and other depressed scars. [2022]