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Post-surgical ScarsSCARLETNCT07359352

Surgical Care And Recovery With Laser Evaluation Trial (SCARLET)

A study testing ProFractional Laser Therapy and/or Broadband Light (BBL) Treatment in people with Post-surgical Scars and Hypertrophic Scars, run by AdventHealth.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The Surgical Care and Recovery with Laser Evaluation Trial (S.C.A.R.L.E.T.) is a prospective, single-center clinical study conducted at AdventHealth Medical Group Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Innovation Tower. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
ProFractional Laser Therapy and/or Broadband Light (BBL) Treatment
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
150 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 Apr 2026to 1 Oct 2027
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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adults aged 18 years or older.
  • Scheduled to undergo one or more of the following major body-contouring procedures during the study period:
  • Brachioplasty (arm lift)
  • Chest or breast contouring surgery
  • Abdominoplasty or panniculectomy
  • Buttock lift or lower body lift
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Thighplasty (thigh lift)
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
  • Able to read and write in English (required for completion of validated questionnaires).
  • Willing and able to comply with scheduled follow-up visits, questionnaires, and study procedures for up to 12 months post-surgery.

Who cannot join

  • Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.
  • Inability to comply with study visits or procedures.
  • Non-English speakers, as the validated SCAR-Q and POSAS instruments are not currently available in equivalent translations.
  • Current use of nicotine or nicotine-containing products, including cigarettes, vaping, chewing tobacco, or nicotine replacement therapy, due to the known adverse effects of nicotine on wound healing and scar formation.
  • Any medical condition, treatment, or circumstance that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may increase participant risk, compromise safety, or interfere with study participation or data integrity.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women (laser/BBL therapy contraindicated in pregnancy).
  • History of abnormal scar formation such as keloids or hypertrophic scarring (if deemed clinically significant by the investigator).
  • Recent energy-based treatment (laser, IPL, or BBL) to the surgical site within the previous 3 months.

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Bridget Clinical Operations Manager, MS, MPH, CCRC, CCRP, PMP contact

407-303-5503

bridget.miller@adventhealth.com

About this study

The Surgical Care and Recovery with Laser Evaluation Trial (S.C.A.R.L.E.T.) is a prospective, single-center clinical study conducted at AdventHealth Medical Group Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Innovation Tower. The study evaluates whether early adjuvant ProFractional laser and/or Broadband Light (BBL) therapy improves the appearance, texture, and patient-reported outcomes of surgical scars following major body-contouring procedures. Participants undergoing qualifying surgeries will be grouped as either cosmetic (receiving three laser/BBL sessions) or non-cosmetic (receiving standard care only). Scar outcomes will be assessed using validated instruments-SCAR-Q and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS)-along with standardized photographic analysis at serial follow-ups through six months postoperatively.

Read the detailed description

Surgical body-contouring procedures often produce long, visible scars that can affect patient satisfaction and quality of life. This study aims to determine whether early initiation of fractional laser or BBL therapy can enhance wound remodeling, reduce scar revision rates, and improve overall aesthetic and psychosocial outcomes compared to standard postoperative care.

Eligible adult participants (≥18 years) scheduled for body-contouring procedures-including brachioplasty, chest/breast contouring, abdominoplasty/panniculectomy, buttock/lower-body lift, or thighplasty-will be enrolled. Participants will be assigned to one of two cohorts:

Cosmetic Group: Will receive three sessions of laser and/or BBL therapy at approximately 4, 8, and 14 weeks postoperatively, following established safety parameters.

Non-Cosmetic Group: Will receive standard postoperative care without adjuvant light-based treatment.

Both groups will complete the SCAR-Q and POSAS questionnaires at 4, 8, 14 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. Standardized photographs of the surgical site will be taken at each visit for blinded evaluation of scar color, texture, and overall quality. Fitzpatrick Skin Type will be recorded for subgroup analysis.

The primary objective is to determine whether early adjuvant laser/BBL therapy produces statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in scar quality-based on SCAR-Q and POSAS scores-compared to standard care.

The secondary objective is to assess whether adjuvant treatment reduces the incidence of surgical scar revisions within the first postoperative year.

The study will enroll approximately 150 participants and is expected to take up to 24 months for recruitment with a total study duration of 36 months (including analysis). Statistical analyses will include repeated measures ANOVA and Chi-square tests with α = 0.05.

Safety assessments will include documentation of adverse events related to both surgery and light-based therapy (e.g., erythema, hyperpigmentation, infection, or delayed wound healing). All laser treatments will be performed by qualified providers in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and institutional protocols.

No compensation is provided to participants. Findings are intended for publication in peer-reviewed surgical or aesthetic medicine journals to improve evidence-based postoperative scar management strategies.

Being tested
ProFractional Laser Therapy and/or Broadband Light (BBL) Treatment
Keywords
Surgical scar, Postoperative scar, Hypertrophic scar, Body-contouring surgery, Abdominoplasty scar, Brachioplasty scar, Thighplasty scar, Scar revision, Laser-assisted scar remodeling
Medical subject headings
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic

What participants receive

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

  • ProFractional Laser Therapy and/or Broadband Light (BBL) TreatmentDevice

    ProFractional laser creates microthermal injury zones that stimulate collagen remodeling and accelerate re-epithelialization.

    Broadband Light (BBL) therapy uses filtered pulsed light to target hemoglobin and melanin, reducing erythema and pigmentation while promoting dermal repair.

    Each participant in the cosmetic arm will receive up to three sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart, using device settings individualized by the investigator to the participant's scar characteristics and skin type.

    All treatments are performed by trained and credentialed clinical staff in accordance with manufacturer safety guidelines and AdventHealth institutional standards.

Study groups in NCT07359352
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Cosmetic Group (Laser/BBL Therapy)ExperimentalParticipants in this group will receive three sessions of ProFractional laser and/or Broadband Light (BBL) therapy following their qualifying body-contouring surgical procedure. Treatments will begin approximately 4 weeks postoperatively, with subsequent sessions at 8 weeks and 14 weeks (±2 weeks). Laser parameters will be determined by the treating provider based on clinical assessment and Fitzpatrick Skin Type. Assessments will include standardized scar photographs, SCAR-Q, and POSAS questionnaires at each visit and at 6 months postoperatively. The objective is to determine whether early adjuvant energy-based therapy improves scar quality, appearance, and patient-reported satisfaction compared to standard care.
Receives: Device: ProFractional Laser Therapy and/or Broadband Light (BBL) Treatment
Non-Cosmetic Group (Standard Postoperative Care)No interventionParticipants in this group will undergo standard postoperative wound management without laser or BBL therapy. They will complete the same follow-up visits and outcome assessments as the cosmetic group-including SCAR-Q and POSAS questionnaires, and standardized photographic documentation-at 4, 8, and 14 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. This group serves as a comparator to evaluate the natural progression of scar healing and satisfaction under standard care conditions.

What is being measured

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

  1. Change in SCAR-Q Total Score from Baseline to 6 Months Post-Surgery

    The SCAR-Q is a validated, patient-reported outcome instrument designed to assess appearance, symptoms (such as pain, itchiness, and tightness), and psychosocial impact of scarring.

    Scores are transformed on a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating better scar-related quality of life and aesthetic satisfaction.

    The change in total and domain-specific SCAR-Q scores from baseline to six months postoperatively will be compared between participants receiving ProFractional laser/BBL therapy and those receiving standard postoperative care.

    Measured: Baseline (Preoperative) to 6 months post-surgery (±1 month)

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Change in POSAS (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale) Score from Baseline to 6 Months Post-Surgery

    The POSAS is a hybrid assessment tool composed of patient and observer subscales evaluating scar pigmentation, thickness, surface relief, pliability, pain, and itch.

    Lower scores indicate scars more similar to normal skin. Both patient and observer scores will be collected at each postoperative timepoint and compared longitudinally between intervention and control groups.

    Measured: Baseline (Preoperative) to 6 months post-surgery (±1 month)

  2. Surgical Scar Revision Rate

    The proportion of participants requiring surgical scar revision within 12 months postoperatively will be compared between the laser/BBL and standard care groups.

    Scar revision is defined as any re-excision, laser resurfacing, or procedural intervention performed specifically to improve the cosmetic or structural quality of a prior surgical scar.

    Measured: Baseline (Surgery Day) to 12 months post-surgery

Timeline

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

  1. First posted22 Jan 2026
  2. Study start1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Oct 2027 (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
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This is a prospective, two-arm, parallel-group, single-center cohort study comparing postoperative scar outcomes between: Cosmetic Group - receiving three sessions of ProFractional laser and/or Broadband Light (BBL) therapy at approximately 4, 8, and 14 weeks postoperatively, and Non-Cosmetic Group - receiving standard postoperative care only. Both groups complete standardized scar assessments (SCAR-Q, POSAS) and undergo photographic documentation at predefined intervals up to 6 months after surgery.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
150 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07359352
Sponsor's protocol ID
2379205
Acronym
SCARLET
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
14 Jan 2026
Last updated
22 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided: We will not be sharing information from this study, but will be publishing information in scientific journals.

Publications

  • Chung JH, Kim DS, Cheon JH, Yoon JM, Baek SK, Jung KY, Yoon ES, Park SH. Current Protocol for Aesthetic Scar Management in Thyroid Surgery. Laryngoscope. 2021 Jul;131(7):E2188-E2195. doi: 10.1002/lary.29441. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

    PubMed 33567135
  • Cohen JL. Minimizing skin cancer surgical scars using ablative fractional Er:YAG laser treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 Oct;12(10):1171-3.

    PubMed 24085055
  • Tanzi EL, Alster TS. Single-pass carbon dioxide versus multiple-pass Er:YAG laser skin resurfacing: a comparison of postoperative wound healing and side-effect rates. Dermatol Surg. 2003 Jan;29(1):80-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2003.29012.x.

    PubMed 12534517

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing ProFractional Laser Therapy and/or Broadband Light (BBL) Treatment in people with Post-surgical Scars and Hypertrophic Scars, run by AdventHealth.

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 10 inclusion and 8 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

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 Bridget Clinical Operations Manager, MS, MPH, CCRC, CCRP, PMP (407-303-5503, bridget.miller@adventhealth.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in SCAR-Q Total Score from Baseline to 6 Months Post-Surgery (time frame: Baseline (Preoperative) to 6 months post-surgery (±1 month)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07359352, which also lists 3 linked publications.

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 22 Jan 2026.

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