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Fractional Laser vs. Ultrasound for Periorbital Wrinkles

A Comparison of 1550-nm Fractional Photothermolysis Versus Intense Focused Ultrasound for Treatment of Periorbital Wrinkles: A Pilot, Prospective Randomized Control Trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Early Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01529983
Enrollment
20
Registered
2012-02-09
Start date
2012-02-29
Completion date
2025-12-31
Last updated
2025-01-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Wrinkles

Brief summary

The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of intense focused ultrasound and carbon dioxide-fractionated laser for treatment of periorbital wrinkles.

Detailed description

This is a prospective randomized comparison study comparing the efficacy of micro-focused ultrasound versus fractionated carbon dioxide laser for treatment of periorbital wrinkles. Subjects who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study. The treated sites are both lower eyelids and lateral orbits. Each side will be randomized to receive 1550nm-fractionated laser treatment on one side and the contralateral side will receive micro-focused ultrasound treatment every 6-8 weeks for a total of 2 treatments.

Interventions

PROCEDURELaser treatment

The treated sites are both lower eyelids and lateral orbits. Each side will be randomized to receive 1550nm-fractionated laser treatment on one side and the contralateral side will receive micro-focused ultrasound treatment every 6-8 weeks for a total of 2 treatments

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFUS) is an FDA-approved method for periorbital treatment and nonablative tissue tightening. Ultrasound waves induce a vibration in the tissue, generating heat and increasing the tissue temperature within a focal area. The tissue changes depend on amount of heat and exposure duration. These findings are similar to the thermally induced changes within the skin after CO2 laser fractional ablative treatments.

Sponsors

Northwestern University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
35 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Age 35-60 years old male and female subjects with moderate lower eyelid rhytids and crowsfeet 2. Subjects with Fitzpatrick skin type I-III. 3. Subjects who are willing, have the ability to understand and provide informed consent, and are able to communicate with the investigator.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subjects who have received injectable soft-tissue augmentation materials to the face, or facial ablative resurfacing, within the past 6 months. 2. Subjects who were received injectable botulinum toxin to the face, or any nonablative laser treatment to the face, within the past 3 months. 3. Subjects who have local infections, open facial wounds, or other significant local skin disease that would interfere with periorbital treatment with energy devices. 4. Subjects who are allergic to lidocaine or prilocaine. 5. Subjects who have a history of abnormal scarring in the treatment area. 6. Subject who have ectropion or or other eyelid disfigurement. 7. Subjects who have history of isotretinoin use in the preceding year 8. Pregnant or lactating individuals

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Global Improvement Scale3 monthsGlobal improvement scale score, as a percent improvement from baseline to 1 and 3 months, respectively, after treatment. Two non-treating dermatologists will independently blindly evaluate the photographs at baseline, 1 and 3 months after treatment; differences will be resolved via a forced agreement process.
Quantitative eyelid laxity scale3 monthsTwo non-treating dermatologists will independently blindly evaluate the photographs at baseline, 1 and 3 months after treatment; differences will be resolved via a forced agreement process.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Subject Satisfaction10 yearsSubject satisfaction will be determined by a satisfaction questionnaire, and subjects will be asked to select the treatment side they preferred
Adverse events10 yearsAny adverse events related to the use of the fractionated laser and ultrasound-tightening device (e.g. infection, prolonged erythema, prolonged edema, bleeding, ulceration, erosion or pigmentation) will be recorded.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026