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Acne ScarsNCT07151599

Efficacy of Combined Fractional Er:Glass and Thulium Lasers Versus Microneedling for Atrophic Acne Scars

A study testing Microneedling and Fractionated Er:Glass Laser combined to Fractionated Thulium Laser in people with Acne Scars, run by University of Nove de Julho at 1 site in Brazil.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to compare two treatments for acne scars on the face. The study will test whether fractional lasers (Erbium:Glass and Thulium) lead to better improvement in acne scars than microneedling. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 45 years
Conditions the study is for
Acne Scars
What is being tested?
Microneedling and Fractionated Er:Glass Laser combined to Fractionated Thulium Laser
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
84 participants
Where
1 siteBrazil
Study dates
16 Oct 2025to Jul 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 45 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I to VI
  • Presence of atrophic acne scars on the face

Who cannot join

  • Decompensated systemic diseases
  • Any active infection (e.g., viral such as herpes, bacterial, or fungal)
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Presence of hypertrophic or keloid scars
  • Current use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications
  • History of hemophilia or coagulation disorders
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids
  • Use of retinoids, including isotretinoin, within the past 6 months
  • Exposure to sunlight within the past 15 days
  • Undergoing any aesthetic facial treatment or having undergone scar treatments in the facial region within 180 days prior to study initiation
  • Presence of active acne (occasional isolated lesions will not be considered exclusion criteria)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Luciana Khachikian, Master student contact

+5511989969924

lucianacamargo@uni9.edu.br

Brazil1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Espaço Conceito Medical San

    São Paulo

    Luciana C Khachikian, +5511983313093, mestrado.lucianakha@gmail.com

    Luciana Camargo Khachikian

    Recruiting

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Fractional Erbium:Glass (1540-1550 nm) and Thulium (1927 nm) Lasers Versus Microneedling for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars

The purpose of this study is to compare two treatments for acne scars on the face. The study will test whether fractional lasers (Erbium:Glass and Thulium) lead to better improvement in acne scars than microneedling.

Read the detailed description

Acne scars are common and can have a lasting impact on self-esteem, social relationships, and quality of life. Several treatment options exist, but many patients continue to seek better results. Microneedling is a minimally invasive technique that uses small needles to stimulate skin repair. Fractional lasers, such as Erbium:Glass (1540-1550 nm) and Thulium (1927 nm), deliver energy into the skin to promote remodeling of deeper and more superficial layers. The combination of these two fractional lasers may provide a more comprehensive treatment approach for acne scars.

This clinical trial will directly compare these two options: microneedling versus the combined use of fractional Erbium:Glass and Thulium lasers. A total of 84 adults between 18 and 30 years old with atrophic acne scars will take part. Participants will be randomly chosen by a draw (like a lottery) to receive one of the two groups. Both groups will receive three treatment sessions, with four weeks between each session.

The main goal is to determine which treatment leads to greater improvement in acne scars. Improvement will be measured by independent evaluators who will compare standardized before-and-after photographs using a grading scale. Participants will also report their own satisfaction with the results and how well they tolerated the treatments. Follow-up assessments will occur up to 90 days after the last session.

Conditions
Acne Scars
Being tested
Microneedling, Fractionated Er:Glass Laser combined to Fractionated Thulium Laser
Keywords
Fractionated Erbium Glass Laser, Fractionated Thulium Laser, Microneedling, Percutaneous Induction of Collagen, Acne Scars

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • MicroneedlingDevice

    Microneedling performed with an electronic pen and sterile disposable cartridge with 12 needles and 2mm depth, three treatment sessions at four-week intervals.

  • Fractionated Er:Glass Laser combined to Fractionated Thulium LaserDevice

    Fractional Erbium:Glass laser will be applied first, focused on scarred areas (50 mJ, 15 ms e 100 PPA) , followed immediately by fractional Thulium 1927 nm over the full face (10 mJ, 1 ms e 100 PPA), three treatment sessions at four-week intervals.

Study groups in NCT07151599
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
MicroneedlingActive comparatorMicroneedling performed with an electronic pen and sterile disposable cartridge of 12 needles at 2mm depth
Receives: Device: Microneedling
Fractionated Er:Glass and Thulium LasersExperimentalFractional Erbium:Glass laser is applied first, focused on scarred areas, followed immediately by fractional Thulium 1927 nm over the full face.
Receives: Device: Fractionated Er:Glass Laser combined to Fractionated Thulium Laser

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. ECCA grading scale (échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné)

    The ECCA is a validated scale that quantifies acne scars through both qualitative and quantitative components. Scar type is weighted by a numerical factor (15-30 for atrophic scars and elastosis; 40-50 for hypertrophic/keloid scars) and multiplied by the number of lesions, graded on a 4-point scale: 0 = none; 1 = <5 scars; 2 = 5-20 scars; 3 = >20 scars. The global score ranges from 0 to 540, with higher scores indicating greater severity. In this study, participants with hypertrophic or keloid scars will be excluded; therefore, only atrophic scar subtypes will be scored (subcategory 1).

    Measured: Assessments will be performed by blinded evaluators using standardized photographs at baseline.

  2. ECCA grading scale (échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné)

    The ECCA is a validated scale that quantifies acne scars through both qualitative and quantitative components. Scar type is weighted by a numerical factor (15-30 for atrophic scars and elastosis; 40-50 for hypertrophic/keloid scars) and multiplied by the number of lesions, graded on a 4-point scale: 0 = none; 1 = <5 scars; 2 = 5-20 scars; 3 = >20 scars. The global score ranges from 0 to 540, with higher scores indicating greater severity. In this study, participants with hypertrophic or keloid scars will be excluded; therefore, only atrophic scar subtypes will be scored (subcategory 1).

    Measured: Assessments will be performed by blinded evaluators using standardized photographs at 30 days after the last session.

  3. ECCA grading scale (échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné)

    The ECCA is a validated scale that quantifies acne scars through both qualitative and quantitative components. Scar type is weighted by a numerical factor (15-30 for atrophic scars and elastosis; 40-50 for hypertrophic/keloid scars) and multiplied by the number of lesions, graded on a 4-point scale: 0 = none; 1 = <5 scars; 2 = 5-20 scars; 3 = >20 scars. The global score ranges from 0 to 540, with higher scores indicating greater severity. In this study, participants with hypertrophic or keloid scars will be excluded; therefore, only atrophic scar subtypes will be scored (subcategory 1).

    Measured: Assessments will be performed by blinded evaluators using standardized photographs at 16 weeks after the last session.

Secondary outcomes (17)
  1. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS)

    Blinded evaluators will perform side-by-side comparisons of baseline vs. 30-day photographs. Improvement will be graded on a 5-point ordinal scale.

    Measured: From baseline to 30 days after the end of the treatment

  2. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS)

    Blinded evaluators will perform side-by-side comparisons of baseline vs. 16 weeks photographs. Improvement will be graded on a 5-point ordinal scale.

    Measured: From baseline to 16 weeks after the end of the treatment

  3. Goodman & Baron Acne Scar Scale

    Scars will be categorized according to morphology, recording the number of mild, moderate, severe, and hypertrophic lesions. An algorithm will generate a total score (range: 0-84), with higher scores indicating greater severity and number of scars. This scoring system reflects both the type and frequency of lesions, with higher values representing worse scar severity.

    Measured: Baseline

  4. Goodman & Baron Acne Scar Scale

    Scars will be categorized according to morphology, recording the number of mild, moderate, severe, and hypertrophic lesions. An algorithm will generate a total score (range: 0-84), with higher scores indicating greater severity and number of scars. This scoring system reflects both the type and frequency of lesions, with higher values representing worse scar severity.

    Measured: 30 days after the end of the treatment

  5. Goodman & Baron Acne Scar Scale

    Scars will be categorized according to morphology, recording the number of mild, moderate, severe, and hypertrophic lesions. An algorithm will generate a total score (range: 0-84), with higher scores indicating greater severity and number of scars. This scoring system reflects both the type and frequency of lesions, with higher values representing worse scar severity.

    Measured: 16 weeks after the end of the treatment

  6. Improvement perceived by patients

    articipants will self-assess their improvement using a quartile grading scale. This measure captures the subjective satisfaction of the participant and complements the blinded clinical assessments.

    Measured: 30 days after the end of the treatment

  7. Satisfaction reported by patient

    Satisfaction reported by Likert scale.

    Measured: 30 days after the end of the treatment

  8. Downtime

    Recovery time will be recorded in days and defined as the period in which the participant experiences visible clinical signs (such as erythema or edema) and local discomfort (burning, pain, or itching), leading to physical or aesthetic limitations. Participants will complete a standardized daily questionnaire, administered via telephone contact by the study investigator, to report the presence of symptoms and whether they avoided public activities due to skin appearance. This outcome aims to quantify, in a subjective and functional way, the short-term impact of treatment on quality of life, social activities, and overall tolerability.

    Measured: From the day after each treatment session until up to 9 days post-treatment.

  9. Pain - Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm straight line where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "worst possible pain." Immediately after each session, participants will be asked to mark the point on the line that best represents the pain experienced during the procedure.

    Measured: Immediately after each treatment session.

  10. Adverse Events

    Participants will be contacted daily via WhatsApp message or phone call to report the presence or absence of adverse events, including pain, erythema, edema, infection, discharge, crusts, hyperpigmentation, or scarring.

    Measured: Daily for 10 days after each treatment session.

  11. Adverse Events

    Participants will be contacted daily via WhatsApp message or phone call to report the presence or absence of adverse events, including pain, erythema, edema, infection, discharge, crusts, hyperpigmentation, or scarring.

    Measured: Weekly until 30 days after the last treatment session.

  12. Adverse Events

    Participants will be contacted daily via WhatsApp message or phone call to report the presence or absence of adverse events, including pain, erythema, edema, infection, discharge, crusts, hyperpigmentation, or scarring.

    Measured: 60 days after the last treatment session.

  13. Adverse Events

    Participants will be contacted daily via WhatsApp message or phone call to report the presence or absence of adverse events, including pain, erythema, edema, infection, discharge, crusts, hyperpigmentation, or scarring.

    Measured: 90 days after the last treatment session.

  14. Facial Acne Scar Quality of Life - FASQoL

    A ten questions instrument, presenting 5 answers for each question, giving 0-4 points. A total of 0-40 points will be find, being higher the higest impact in quality of life.

    Measured: Baseline

  15. Facial Acne Scar Quality of Life - FASQoL

    A ten questions instrument, presenting 5 answers for each question, giving 0-4 points. A total of 0-40 points will be find, being higher the higest impact in quality of life.

    Measured: 30 days after the end of the treatment

  16. Dermatology Life Quality index DLQI

    The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a 10-question, self-administered questionnaire for adults (16+) to measure the impact of skin disease on their daily lives over the past week.

    Measured: Baseline

  17. Dermatology Life Quality index DLQI

    The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a 10-question, self-administered questionnaire for adults (16+) to measure the impact of skin disease on their daily lives over the past week.

    Measured: 30 days after the end of the treatment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted3 Sep 2025
  2. Study start16 Oct 2025
  3. Primary completionMay 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJul 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants are assigned to Microneedling or Combination of Thulium and Erbium Glass Fractionated Laser in parallel.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
84 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07151599
Sponsor's protocol ID
ErGlass_MedicinaBiofotonica
Status last verified
Nov 2025
First submitted
25 Aug 2025
Last updated
26 Nov 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: All colected IPD will be shared, except individual photographs.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Microneedling and Fractionated Er:Glass Laser combined to Fractionated Thulium Laser in people with Acne Scars, run by University of Nove de Julho at 1 site in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Luciana Khachikian, Master student (+5511989969924, lucianacamargo@uni9.edu.br), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

ECCA grading scale (échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné) (time frame: Assessments will be performed by blinded evaluators using standardized photographs at baseline.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Nov 2025.

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