SkinPhase 1/2NCT07431541
Topical Carboxytherapy Paste Following Microneedling
A Phase 1/2 study testing CO2 gel mask in people with Skin, run by Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Trial summary
Topical carboxytherapy refers to a gel paste that carries non-gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2). It is applied similarly to a face mask. Topical carboxytherapy has been shown to increase local blood flow and can help with wound healing. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Skin
- What is being tested?
- CO2 gel mask
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 0 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2026to 1 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- English-speaking adults at least 18 years of age who elect to undergo microneedling for facial aging.
Who cannot join
- Age under 18
- Pregnant patients
- Patients with other known medical conditions which affect facial cosmesis
- Patients who have recently undergone surgery to the facial region or minimally invasive facial procedures within the past month
About this study
Official title: Effect of Topical Carboxytherapy Paste Following Microneedling
Topical carboxytherapy refers to a gel paste that carries non-gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2). It is applied similarly to a face mask. Topical carboxytherapy has been shown to increase local blood flow and can help with wound healing. Few studies have researched how topical carboxytherapy can be used to aid skin rejuvenation in the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. The goal of this study is to evaluate how topical carboxytherapy can improve skin healing after microneedling. Common temporary side effects of microneedling include redness and swelling, sometimes lasting up to a week post-procedure. If topical carboxytherapy reduces downtime related to side effects of microneedling, the investigators may offer this treatment to more microneedling patients in the future.
Read the detailed description
This exploratory study will be a prospectively collected split-face study to evaluate the effects of topical carboxytherapy following cosmetic microneedling. Traditional carboxytherapy treatments involve administering carbon dioxide (CO2) to the skin through direct injection or with minimally invasive devices. Carboxytherapy has been well studied and is thought to increase tissue oxygenation by causing localized decreases in pH, likened to an artificial Bohr effect, which results in greater peripheral blood flow, thus aiding in angiogenesis and vascular perfusion. Reported benefits of carboxytherapy include stimulation of collagen production, reduction of skin discoloration, and scar quality improvement. Comparative studies suggest that carboxytherapy devices are at least as effective as microneedling in the treatment of acne scarring. Topical carboxytherapy, in the form of an applied gel paste, is a newer development. Carboxytherapy paste carries non-gaseous CO2 and has a transdermal mechanism of action, and is advantageous over previous formulations due to the completely non-invasive nature of administration. In healthy patients, topical carboxytherapy led to no adverse events and was shown to increase signal intensity on dynamic MRI, indicating greater blood flow. Topical carboxytherapy also facilitated faster wound healing of chronic diabetic ulcers. Due to its novelty, few studies have investigated how topical carboxytherapy can be used as an adjuvant treatment in the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, one split face study saw improvement in blinded investigator ratings of dryness, erythema, edema, crusting, and percentage healing on the side which received topical carboxytherapy after nanofractional laser treatment.
The investigators want to investigate the efficacy of topical carboxytherapy at mitigating the common inflammatory effects of microneedling. Given microneedling is an increasingly popular treatment, many patients may benefit from an adjuvant treatment that minimizes postprocedural downtime related to its adverse side effects. Topical carboxytherapy is commercially available but has yet to receive FDA approval. This will be an exploratory, singlearm trial using CO2 Lift Gel mask (Lumisque, Weston, FL), which is a topically applied mixture of magnesium carbonate and gluconolactone gel. Outcomes will include both independent physician assessments of skin appearance and subjective patient-reported measures (on day of procedure following paste application and at one week post-procedure timepoint). These will be collected based on patient survey, provider assessments, and a blinded third-party physician analysis of postprocedural photographs. Due to the split-face nature of the study (i.e. only one half of the face will receive carboxytherapy paste), patients will serve as their own controls. The investigators will compare outcomes in the treated and non-treated side of the patient's face before and immediately after completed application of carboxytherapy paste as well as at one-week post-procedure. The investigators hypothesize that the treated side of the face will demonstrate decreased severity of outcome measures and experience shorter duration of adverse effects related to microneedling.
- Conditions
- Skin
- Being tested
- CO2 gel mask
- Keywords
- microneedling, carboxytherapy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
CO2 gel maskDrug
Also called topical carboxytherapy, carboxytherapy paste
CO2 gel mask will be applied to one half of the face for 40 minutes after microneedling
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Topical Carboxytherapy | Experimental | This is a split-face study (i.e.only one half of the face will receive carboxytherapy paste) where patients will serve as their own controls. Following microneedling, topical carboxytherapy will be applied to either the right (even MRN) or left (odd MRN) side of the face only for 40 minutes. Receives: Drug: CO2 gel mask |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (Before Treatment)
We will evaluate responses prior to microneedling with carboxytherapy. Conditions such as skin dullness, uneven texture or acne scarring, and hyperpigmentation or dark spots will be assessed. Respones will be based on a 5-point scale (0=No signs of issue 1=Almost clear of issue 2=Mild issue 3=Moderate issue 4= Severe issue).
A separate question regarding satisfaction with skin quality will be measured using Likert scale (0=Very dissatisfied 1=Somewhat dissatisfied 2=Neutral 3=Somewhat satisfied 4=Very satisfied).
Measured: Survey will be conducted at the initial clinic appointment prior to treatment.
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (After Treatment)
We will evaluate responses following microneedling with carboxytherapy. Patients will be asked to separately rate the treated and untreated sides of the face. Conditions such as skin dullness, uneven texture or acne scarring, and hyperpigmentation or dark spots will be assessed. Patient responses will be based on 5-point scale (0=No signs of issue 1=Almost clear of issue 2=Mild issue 3=Moderate issue 4= Severe issue).
A separate question regarding satisfaction with skin quality will be measured using Likert scale (0=Very dissatisfied 1=Somewhat dissatisfied 2=Neutral 3=Somewhat satisfied 4=Very satisfied).
Additionally, experience of common side effects of microneedling such as swelling, facial redness, discomfort or sensitivity will be assessed as follows: (0=No signs of unwanted side effect 1=Almost clear of unwanted side effect 2=Mild side effect 3=Moderate side effect 4=Severe side effect)
Measured: A post-procedure survey will be conducted at the one-week post-procedure timepoint
Photo Assessment CEA
Trained third-party reviewers will evaluate photos of treated and untreated sides of patient faces using validated 5-point scales for skin including the clinician erythema assessment (CEA).
CEA: (0 = Clear skin with no signs of erythema 1 = Almost clear, slight redness 2 = Mild erythema, definite redness 3 = Moderate erythema, marked redness 4 = Severe erythema, fiery redness)
Measured: Photos are taken before, immediately following microneedling and carboxytherapy treatment, and one-week post-procedure. Photo analysis will occur retrospectively following conclusion of data collection.
Photo Assessment IGA
Trained third-party reviewers will evaluate photos of treated and untreated sides of patient faces using validated 5-point investigator global assessment (IGA) scales for edema, hyperpigmentation and skin texture.
Edema IGA: (0 = no edema 1 = slight edema 2 = mild edema 3 = moderate edema 4 = severe edema) Hyperpigmentation IGA: (0 = None, clear of hyperpigmentation and no difference with surrounding skin 1 = Almost clear of hyperpigmentation, barely visible relative to surrounding skin 2 = Mild, but noticeable hyperpigmentation relative to surrounding skin 3 = Moderate, marked changes in pigmentation relative to surrounding skin 4 = Severe, maximal changes in pigmentation) Skin Texture IGA: (0 = Smooth, homogenous texture throughout 1 = Almost smooth, slight texture 2 = Mild texture, easily recognizeable, less than half the area is involved 3 = Moderate texture, more than half the area is involved 4 = Severe texture, high degree of textural irregularity, entire face involved)
Measured: Photos are taken before, immediately following microneedling and carboxytherapy treatment, and one-week post-procedure. Photo analysis will occur retrospectively following conclusion of data collection.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Patient Experience
Using 5-point Likert scales (0=Strongly Disagree 1=Disagree 2=Neutral 3=Agree 4=Strongly Agree), patients will answer a survey regarding their experience with using topical carboxytherapy.
Measured: A post-procedure survey will be conducted at the one-week post-procedure timepoint
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Why it stopped: Not enough time to complete study within reasonable timeframe
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for SkinStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Vanderbilt University Medical CenterThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Shiayin Yang, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07431541
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 251400
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 26 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Topical Carboxytherapy Paste Following Microneedling
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07431541
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 251400
- Conditions
- Skin
- Keywords
- microneedling, carboxytherapy
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- WithdrawnReason stopped: Not enough time to complete study within reasonable timeframe
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Vanderbilt University Medical CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Topical carboxytherapy refers to a gel paste that carries non-gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2). It is applied similarly to a face mask. Topical carboxytherapy has been shown to increase local blood flow and can help with wound healing. Few studies have researched how topical carboxytherapy can be used to aid skin rejuvenation in the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. The goal of this study is to evaluate how topical carboxytherapy can improve skin healing after microneedling. Common temporary side effects of microneedling include redness and swelling, sometimes lasting up to a week post-procedure. If topical carboxytherapy reduces downtime related to side effects of microneedling, the investigators may offer this treatment to more microneedling patients in the future.
Detailed description
This exploratory study will be a prospectively collected split-face study to evaluate the effects of topical carboxytherapy following cosmetic microneedling. Traditional carboxytherapy treatments involve administering carbon dioxide (CO2) to the skin through direct injection or with minimally invasive devices. Carboxytherapy has been well studied and is thought to increase tissue oxygenation by causing localized decreases in pH, likened to an artificial Bohr effect, which results in greater peripheral blood flow, thus aiding in angiogenesis and vascular perfusion. Reported benefits of carboxytherapy include stimulation of collagen production, reduction of skin discoloration, and scar quality improvement. Comparative studies suggest that carboxytherapy devices are at least as effective as microneedling in the treatment of acne scarring. Topical carboxytherapy, in the form of an applied gel paste, is a newer development. Carboxytherapy paste carries non-gaseous CO2 and has a transdermal mechanism of action, and is advantageous over previous formulations due to the completely non-invasive nature of administration. In healthy patients, topical carboxytherapy led to no adverse events and was shown to increase signal intensity on dynamic MRI, indicating greater blood flow. Topical carboxytherapy also facilitated faster wound healing of chronic diabetic ulcers. Due to its novelty, few studies have investigated how topical carboxytherapy can be used as an adjuvant treatment in the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, one split face study saw improvement in blinded investigator ratings of dryness, erythema, edema, crusting, and percentage healing on the side which received topical carboxytherapy after nanofractional laser treatment.
The investigators want to investigate the efficacy of topical carboxytherapy at mitigating the common inflammatory effects of microneedling. Given microneedling is an increasingly popular treatment, many patients may benefit from an adjuvant treatment that minimizes postprocedural downtime related to its adverse side effects. Topical carboxytherapy is commercially available but has yet to receive FDA approval. This will be an exploratory, singlearm trial using CO2 Lift Gel mask (Lumisque, Weston, FL), which is a topically applied mixture of magnesium carbonate and gluconolactone gel. Outcomes will include both independent physician assessments of skin appearance and subjective patient-reported measures (on day of procedure following paste application and at one week post-procedure timepoint). These will be collected based on patient survey, provider assessments, and a blinded third-party physician analysis of postprocedural photographs. Due to the split-face nature of the study (i.e. only one half of the face will receive carboxytherapy paste), patients will serve as their own controls. The investigators will compare outcomes in the treated and non-treated side of the patient's face before and immediately after completed application of carboxytherapy paste as well as at one-week post-procedure. The investigators hypothesize that the treated side of the face will demonstrate decreased severity of outcome measures and experience shorter duration of adverse effects related to microneedling.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Topical Carboxytherapy | Experimental | Drug: CO2 gel maskThis is a split-face study (i.e.only one half of the face will receive carboxytherapy paste) where patients will serve as their own controls. Following microneedling, topical carboxytherapy will be applied to either the right (even MRN) or left (odd MRN) side of the face only for 40 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- English-speaking adults at least 18 years of age who elect to undergo microneedling for facial aging.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age under 18
- Pregnant patients
- Patients with other known medical conditions which affect facial cosmesis
- Patients who have recently undergone surgery to the facial region or minimally invasive facial procedures within the past month
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 gel maskAlso: topical carboxytherapy, carboxytherapy pasteCO2 gel mask will be applied to one half of the face for 40 minutes after microneedling | Drug | Topical Carboxytherapy |
Primary outcome
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (Before Treatment)
Time frame: Survey will be conducted at the initial clinic appointment prior to treatment.
We will evaluate responses prior to microneedling with carboxytherapy. Conditions such as skin dullness, uneven texture or acne scarring, and hyperpigmentation or dark spots will be assessed. Respones will be based on a 5-point scale (0=No signs of issue 1=Almost clear of issue 2=Mild issue 3=Moderate issue 4= Severe issue). A separate question regarding satisfaction with skin quality will be measured using Likert scale (0=Very dissatisfied 1=Somewhat dissatisfied 2=Neutral 3=Somewhat satisfied 4=Very satisfied).
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (After Treatment)
Time frame: A post-procedure survey will be conducted at the one-week post-procedure timepoint
We will evaluate responses following microneedling with carboxytherapy. Patients will be asked to separately rate the treated and untreated sides of the face. Conditions such as skin dullness, uneven texture or acne scarring, and hyperpigmentation or dark spots will be assessed. Patient responses will be based on 5-point scale (0=No signs of issue 1=Almost clear of issue 2=Mild issue 3=Moderate issue 4= Severe issue). A separate question regarding satisfaction with skin quality will be measured using Likert scale (0=Very dissatisfied 1=Somewhat dissatisfied 2=Neutral 3=Somewhat satisfied 4=Very satisfied). Additionally, experience of common side effects of microneedling such as swelling, facial redness, discomfort or sensitivity will be assessed as follows: (0=No signs of unwanted side effect 1=Almost clear of unwanted side effect 2=Mild side effect 3=Moderate side effect 4=Severe side effect)
Photo Assessment CEA
Time frame: Photos are taken before, immediately following microneedling and carboxytherapy treatment, and one-week post-procedure. Photo analysis will occur retrospectively following conclusion of data collection.
Trained third-party reviewers will evaluate photos of treated and untreated sides of patient faces using validated 5-point scales for skin including the clinician erythema assessment (CEA). CEA: (0 = Clear skin with no signs of erythema 1 = Almost clear, slight redness 2 = Mild erythema, definite redness 3 = Moderate erythema, marked redness 4 = Severe erythema, fiery redness)
Photo Assessment IGA
Time frame: Photos are taken before, immediately following microneedling and carboxytherapy treatment, and one-week post-procedure. Photo analysis will occur retrospectively following conclusion of data collection.
Trained third-party reviewers will evaluate photos of treated and untreated sides of patient faces using validated 5-point investigator global assessment (IGA) scales for edema, hyperpigmentation and skin texture. Edema IGA: (0 = no edema 1 = slight edema 2 = mild edema 3 = moderate edema 4 = severe edema) Hyperpigmentation IGA: (0 = None, clear of hyperpigmentation and no difference with surrounding skin 1 = Almost clear of hyperpigmentation, barely visible relative to surrounding skin 2 = Mild, but noticeable hyperpigmentation relative to surrounding skin 3 = Moderate, marked changes in pigmentation relative to surrounding skin 4 = Severe, maximal changes in pigmentation) Skin Texture IGA: (0 = Smooth, homogenous texture throughout 1 = Almost smooth, slight texture 2 = Mild texture, easily recognizeable, less than half the area is involved 3 = Moderate texture, more than half the area is involved 4 = Severe texture, high degree of textural irregularity, entire face involved)
1 secondary outcome
Patient Experience
Time frame: A post-procedure survey will be conducted at the one-week post-procedure timepoint
Results and safety
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study testing CO2 gel mask in people with Skin, run by Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
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 1 inclusion and 4 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: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Aug 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.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Patient Reported Outcome Measures (Before Treatment) (time frame: Survey will be conducted at the initial clinic appointment prior to treatment.). The study lists 4 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 Aug 2026.