Efficacy and Tolerability of a Hybrid Fractional Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scars in Patients With Skin of Color

Montefiore Medical Center50 enrolled

Overview

The investigators aim to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of a hybrid non-ablative/ablative laser for acne scarring in skin of color.

Acne is chronic inflammatory condition involving the pilosebaceous unit. One of the most common complications of acne is scarring, which occurs as a result of dermal damage during the healing process of active acne. Studies have shown that acne scarring can have a negative impact on an individual's quality of life and has been described as a risk factor for multiple psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, suicide, and poor self-esteem. Unfortunately, treatment of acne scarring, particularly those of the atrophic subtype, prove difficult to treat. A 2016 Cochrane review failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the first-line use of any intervention. Laser technology has been emerging as an effective, non-invasive treatment of acne scarring. Ablative lasers work by delivering energy to the dermal layer of the skin, resulting in thermal injury and stimulation of dermal cells to produce collagen, thus resolving the scar. More recently, fractional lasers, which create multiple tiny columns of thermal injury, have been introduced with the benefit of reduced downtime and adverse effects compared to ablative lasers. The fractional CO2 laser is widely used for the treatment of acne scarring, however its use is limited in patients of Fitzpatrick IV and V skin due to risk of hyperpigmentation among other adverse events. The erbium-YAG fractional laser serves as an alternative, and has shown to produce less thermal injury and thus be more well-tolerated with lower risk of adverse effects in patients. The hybrid fractional laser combines a 2940 nm wavelength with a 1470 wavelength and has an ablative component targeting the epidermis and a nonablative component targeting the dermis at the same spot. The investigators seek to investigate the Sciton Halo, hybrid fractional laser for its efficacy in treating acne scarring and tolerability in patients with a specific emphasis on those with Fitzpatrick IV and V skin.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Acne Scars - Mixed Atrophic and Hypertrophic Hyperpigmentation Laser-Induced Hyperpigmentation

Interventions

Sciton HaloDEVICE

Laser treatment

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy males and females, ≥ 18 years of age at time of informed consent, seeking treatment for acne scarring * Subject must voluntarily sign and date an IRB approved informed consent form * Subjects with diagnosis of acne scarring recorded over the past 6 months * Able to read, understand and voluntarily provide written informed consent. * Subject is determined to be healthy, non-smoker * Subjects able and willing to comply with the treatment protocol and follow-up schedule and requirements. * Understands and accepts the obligation not to undergo any other procedures in the areas to be treated through the follow-up period. Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects does not have the capacity to consent to the study * Subject underwent any acne scar treatments in the past 6 months prior to enrollment in the study * Subject has active papulopustular or cystic acne within the past 6 months * Any history of keloidal scarring * Any previous surgical procedure in the treatment area in the past 12 months, or major surgery in the last 6 months * History of immunosuppression/immune deficiency disorders (including AIDS and HIV infection), and/or any history of systemic chemotherapy for prior 12 months * Subject has no health contraindications to receiving local lidocaine and epinephrine injections, including but not limited to any form of heart disease or arrhythmia, untreated or uncontrolled severe hypertension, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, pheochromocytoma, cocaine use * History or current use of the following prescription medications: Immunosuppressive medications/biologics, 6 months prior to and during the study. Accutane or other systemic retinoids within the past twelve months TCA, MAO, or beta-blockers * Smoking or vaping in the past 12 months * History of photosensitivity and/or connective tissue disease * History of hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, or bleeding disorders * History of major depressive disorders or endocrine disorders including but not limited to; hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or hyperthyroidism * History of ongoing pregnancy, active breastfeeding, cancer, and epilepsy

Locations (1)

555 Taxter Road

Elmsford, New York, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Acne Scar Severity

Change in acne scarring severity from baseline to nine months will be assessed using the Global Scale for Acne Scar Severity (SCAR-S) scale. The SCAR-S is a validated scale used to assess the severity of acne scarring using a 6-point scale ranging from 0 ("Clear, no visible scars from acne") to 5 ("Very Severe; entire area with prominent atrophic or hypertrophic scars") such that higher scores are indicative of more severe scarring. Two independent blinded dermatologists will rate before and after treatment images using the SCAR-S scale. Results will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.

Time frame: Baseline to Month 9

Change in Clinician Graded Global Assessment of Improvement Scale (GAIS) score

Change in aesthetic success from baseline will be evaluated using the Clinician's Global Assessment of Improvement Scale (CGAIS). The CGAIS evaluates overall efficacy and cosmetic outcomes of the treatment. The CGAIS is based upon a 7-point scale ranging from -3 ("Greatly worsened") to +3 ("Greatly improved"), with 0 ("No change") as the midpoint. Two independent unbiased blinded dermatologists will conduct live/photographic assessments to evaluate patients at baseline, Month 2, Month 3, Month 4, Month 6, and Month 9. Results will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.

Time frame: Baseline to Month 2, Month 3, Month 4, Month 6, and Month 9

Overall Patient Satisfaction

Overall patient satisfaction will be assessed throughout the study using an item from the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) completed during each visit. This question asks patients to select the option that better represents the change in how their skin looks using a 7-point scale ranging from -3 ("Greatly decreased") to +3 ("Greatly increased"), with 0 ("No change") as the midpoint. Scores will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.

Time frame: Baseline to Month 2, Month 3, Month 4, Month 6, and Month 9

Patient Assessment of Acne Scarring

Patient assessment of acne scarring will be assessed throughout the study using an item from the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) completed during each visit. This question asks patients to select the option that better represents the change in acne scarring in the area treated using a 7-point scale ranging from -3 ("Greatly decreased") to +3 ("Greatly increased"), with 0 ("No change") as the midpoint. Scores will be summarized by study arm using descriptive statistics.

Central Contacts

Anika Jallorina, BS

CONTACT

618-704-8716 ajallorina@montefiore.org

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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