Effect of Multiple Subcisions on Rolling Acne Scars

Pilot Split Face Randomized, Evaluator Blinded Study on the Effect of Multiple Subcisions on Rolling Acne Scars

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02216864

Enrollment

Registered

2014-08-15

Start date

2014-08-01

Completion date

2024-06-08

Last updated

2026-07-01

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

Conditions

Acne Scars

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to find out whether the use of multiple subcisions over several visits will improve the appearance of rolling acne scars compared to no treatment. This study was a pilot study designed to determine feasibility of this procedure.

Interventions

PROCEDUREMultiple Subcision

At the start of the procedure, a straight vitrectomy knife will be inserted subdermally and will be slowly advanced parallel to the dermis. Rapid advancement and retraction of the needle under the scarred area in a lancing motion will be performed to abrade the underside of the dermis followed by side to side sweeping motions attempting to break any fibrous attachments to the deeper tissues.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Age 18 to 65 2. Have bilateral rolling acne scars on each side of their face 3. No active or ongoing acne. 4. The subjects are in good health 5. The subject has the willingness and the ability to understand and provide informed consent for the use of their tissue and communicate with the investigator.

Exclusion criteria

1. Under 18 years of age 2. Pregnancy or Lactation 3. Subjects who are unable to understand the protocol or to give informed consent 4. Subjects with mental illness 5. Recent Accutane use in the past 6 months 6. Subjects prone to hypertrophic and keloidal scarring 7. Subjects reporting any blood diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, etc.) 8. Subjects reporting a history of Herpes (oral or genital)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in acne scarring compared to baseline after treatments	Baseline and 36 weeks	The change in acne scarring is measured using a quantitative global scarring grading system to compare baseline to the treatment.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMurad Alam, MD

Northwestern University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 2, 2026