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Acne Scars - AtrophicNCT07471854

Efficacy and Safety of Combined Nanofat Injection With Either Platelet Rich Fibrin or Microneedling Versus Nanofat Injection Alone in the Treatment of Facial Atrophic Post Acne Scars

A study testing nanofat injecion, Platelet rich fibrin and Microneedling in people with Acne Scars - Atrophic, run by Assiut University.

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

To compare the efficacy and safety of combined nanofat injection with either platelet rich fibrin or microneedling versus nanofat injection alone in the treatment of facial atrophic post acne scars. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 45 years
Conditions the study is for
Acne Scars - Atrophic
What is being tested?
nanofat injecion, Platelet rich fibrin and Microneedling
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
42 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 May 2026to 1 Dec 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 to 45 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients older than 18 years of both sexes with moderate to severe atrophic facial acne scars on both cheeks

Who cannot join

  • 1. Patients' age <18 or >45 years 2. Pregnant and lactating women 3. active inflammatory acne or active infection in the treatment area. 4. treatment of the targeted study sites within 2 months 5. history of chronic diseases (autoimmune diseases, bleeding disorders, taking anticoagulant therapy or aspirin) 6. history of hypertrophic scars or keloid formation tendency. 7. patients with unrealistic expectations.

Trial locations and contacts

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

Marilyn Sameh Abd Almalak, Assistant lecturer contact

+201226310521

marilyn.sameh@aun.edu.eg

Eman Mohamed Kamal Elsayed Youssef, Professor contact

+201005369338

emankyoussef@aun.edu.eg

About this study

To compare the efficacy and safety of combined nanofat injection with either platelet rich fibrin or microneedling versus nanofat injection alone in the treatment of facial atrophic post acne scars.

Read the detailed description

Inflammatory acne lesions may result in permanent scars . Atrophic, hypertrophic, and keloidal scars are the categories into which acne scars can be generically divided . Atrophic scarring represents about 75% of acne scars and is subdivided into icepick, rolling, and boxcar scars .

Currently, there is no standard treatment for atrophic acne scars. Various treatment approaches have been used to improve the appearance of acne scars, with varying degrees of success ]. Traditional treatment methods include lasers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), excisions, skin abrasion, chemical peeling, tissue filling, microneedling, thread lifting, and photodynamic therapy, while emerging therapies such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their derivatives are also available .

Autologous fat grafting is an alternative modality in managing post acne scarring . In 2013, Tonnard was the first person who described the technique of obtaining nano fat. Its capacity for regeneration is attributable to the adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells that promote blood vessel formation and the secretion of growth factors that impede fibrosis and inflammation, speed up wound healing, and improve skin texture.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), the second-generation platelet concentrate, was developed for the purpose of removing anticoagulants and for better release of growth factors. A rapid and short centrifugation procedure is needed for separation of blood layers before clotting. A fibrin matrix is formed in the platelet-rich layer entrapping platelets and leukocytes in it. This matrix makes the release of growth factors slow and prolonged comparing with PRP .

Microneedling (MN) therapy has been used as a treatment for various dermatological conditions, including scar tissue . This technique involves repetitive skin puncture using sterile microneedles to disrupt dermal collagen that connects the scar tissue. The needle will penetrate the stratum corneum and generate small holes with minimal damage to the epidermis. This process will provoke the regeneration of growth factors to stimulate collagen and elastin production . To the best of our knowledge, platelet rich fibrin and microneedling have never been tried with nanofat injection in the treatment of atrophic post acne scars and our study is the first to do so.

Being tested
nanofat injecion, Platelet rich fibrin, Microneedling

What participants receive

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

  • nanofat injecionProcedure or surgery

    potential donor sites for fat graft including the lower abdomen, flanks, hips and thighs. After injection of 2 cm of lidocaine hydrochloride 2% intradermally at site of entry blade will be stabbed to open access for harvesting cannula to access subcutaneous fat. Tumescent anesthesia will be infiltrated in multidirectional plane to numb the whole area and waiting for 20 minutes, then starting to push the harvesting cannula in and out with slight suction pressure created by pulling the plunger of 20 ml luer-lock syringe, finally subcutaneous fat started to be expelled in the syringe The aspirated fat will be centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 3 min to concentrate fat particles Then the lipoaspirate will be mechanically emulsified using 2.4, 1.4, and 1.2 mm Luer-to-Luer Tulip connectors via 30 mechanical passes between two syringes through each connector, respectively A filtration process will be performed using a special filter containing a mesh with ultra-fine holes to remove debris

  • Platelet rich fibrinProcedure or surgery

    PRF will be produced by single spin centrifugation of 10 ml of venous blood collected in plain glass tube without anticoagulant at 700 rpm for 3 min. The upper layer, yellow to orange colored fluid, will be collected as fluid PRF. Approximately, 1 ml Fluid PRF can be separated from 10 ml blood.

    • 45 min before the session, local anesthetic cream containing mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine will be applied to one side of the face, then will be sterilized by alcohol before starting the treatment.
    • one side of face will be treated by intradermal injection of fluid PRF. 0.1 mL of fluid PRF will be injected intradermally into the atrophic scars with 1.5 to 2 cm interval using insulin syringe followed by gentle massaging of the treated area.
    • The treatment will be started immediately after separation of PRF to avoid clot formation. The patients will receive three treatment sessions with 4 weeks interval

  • MicroneedlingProcedure or surgery

    Microneedling will be done by Derma electric-pen, and needle cartridge with 12 needles. Needle length will be adjusted at 2.5 mm and speed level 4 (blue color).

    • 45 min before the session, local anesthetic cream containing mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine will be applied to one side of the face, then will be sterilized by alcohol before starting the treatment. Dermapen will be moved in the four directions, vertically, horizontally, diagonally right and left, over one side of the face without pressing.
    • The patients will receive three treatment sessions with 4 weeks interval
Study groups in NCT07471854
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
nanofat injection and platelet rich fibrinActive comparator(21 patients) single nanofat injection on both sides of the face, followed by platelet rich fibrin injection on one side of face monthly for 3 months.
Receives: Procedure: nanofat injecion; Procedure: Platelet rich fibrin
nanofat injection and miconeedlingActive comparator(21 patients)- single nanofat injection on both sides of the face, followed by microneedling on one side of face monthly for 3 months.
Receives: Procedure: nanofat injecion; Procedure: Microneedling

What is being measured

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

  1. compare the efficacy and safety of combined nanofat injection with either platelet rich fibrin or microneedling versus nanofat injection alone in the treatment of facial atrophic post acne scars.

    Comaprison among different treatment modalities will be done by

    1-Goodman and Baron qualitative score : Goodman and Baron qualitative Scale for each side of the face will be performed for all groups by counting and grading scars at the baseline and 3 months after the last session, then comparing its values before the start of treatment and 3 months after the last session Grade 1 (Macular): Erythematous, hyperpigmented, or hypopigmented flat marks. Grade 2 (Mild): Mild atrophic or hypertrophic scars, usually concealable with makeup or hair.

    Grade 3 (Moderate): Obvious, noticeable scars that are not easily hidden, sometimes showing "ice-pick" characteristics.

    Grade 4 (Severe): Marked, deep, or severe scarring, or widespread, severe scarring.

    Is nanofat injection alone effective in treamtment of post acne scars or when combined with either platelt rich fibrin or microneedling is better?

    Measured: 6 months

Secondary outcomes (3)

  1. Patient's satisfaction

    Patients will be asked at their last follow-up visit to rate their improvement and aesthetic appearance of scars on each side of the face using the quartile scale (slight improvement <25%, moderate improvement 25%-49%, significant improvement 50%-74%, and marked improvement ≥75%)

    Measured: 6 months

  2. Pain assessment

    All patients will be asked to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. 0 means no pain and 10 means the worst pain. Pain will be evaluated using a numerical 0 to 10 scale (0 = no pain, 1-4 = mild pain, 5-7 = moderate pain, and 8-10 = severe pain

    Measured: 6 months

  3. Histopathological evaluation

    A 2 mm punch biopsies will be obtained from representative atrophic scars on each facial side at baseline (before treatment) and at the end of 6 months. All biopsies will be taken from scar tissue only. Biopsy sites will be standardized by selecting scars of comparable clinical type and severity on both cheeks. Specimens will include epidermis and extend to the mid-dermis.Tissues will be fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, routinely processed, and embedded in paraffin. Serial sections (4-5 μm) will be prepared.

    The following stains will be performed:

    • Hematoxylin and Eosin (H\&E)
    • Masson's Trichrome Histological Assessment Parameters: Epidermal Thickness, Dermal Architecture Assessment (H\&E), Collagen Deposition and Organization (Masson's Trichrome), Microvascular Density (H\&E Morphological Counting) and Inflammatory Infiltrate (H\&E)

    Measured: 6 months

Timeline

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

  1. First posted13 Mar 2026
  2. Study start1 May 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 May 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Dec 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
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Nanofat injection
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
42 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07471854
Sponsor's protocol ID
Nanofat in post acne scars
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
9 Mar 2026
Last updated
18 Mar 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Johnson C. Measuring Pain. Visual Analog Scale Versus Numeric Pain Scale: What is the Difference? J Chiropr Med. 2005 Winter;4(1):43-4. doi: 10.1016/S0899-3467(07)60112-8.

    PubMed 19674646

  • Majid I, Imran S. Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing as Monotherapy in the Treatment of Atrophic Facial Acne Scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014 Apr;7(2):87-92. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.138326.

    PubMed 25136208

  • Diab NAF, Ibrahim AM, Abdallah AM. Fluid Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Comparative Study. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Jul;315(5):1249-1255. doi: 10.1007/s00403-022-02511-3. Epub 2022 Dec 15.

    PubMed 36520210

  • Miron RJ, Chai J, Zhang P, Li Y, Wang Y, Mourao CFAB, Sculean A, Fujioka Kobayashi M, Zhang Y. A novel method for harvesting concentrated platelet-rich fibrin (C-PRF) with a 10-fold increase in platelet and leukocyte yields. Clin Oral Investig. 2020 Aug;24(8):2819-2828. doi: 10.1007/s00784-019-03147-w. Epub 2019 Dec 2.

    PubMed 31788748

  • Coleman SR. Structural fat grafting: more than a permanent filler. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006 Sep;118(3 Suppl):108S-120S. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000234610.81672.e7.

    PubMed 16936550

  • Goodman GJ, Baron JA. Postacne scarring: a qualitative global scarring grading system. Dermatol Surg. 2006 Dec;32(12):1458-66. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.32354.x.

    PubMed 17199653

  • Lee KC, Bamford A, Gardiner F, Agovino A, Ter Horst B, Bishop J, Sitch A, Grover L, Logan A, Moiemen NS. Investigating the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a panel of subjective and objective burn scar measurement tools. Burns. 2019 Sep;45(6):1311-1324. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2019.02.002. Epub 2019 Jul 19.

    PubMed 31327551

  • Alster TS, Li MKY. Microneedling of Scars: A Large Prospective Study with Long-Term Follow-Up. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020 Feb;145(2):358-364. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000006462.

    PubMed 31985622

  • Dohan Ehrenfest DM, Rasmusson L, Albrektsson T. Classification of platelet concentrates: from pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) to leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF). Trends Biotechnol. 2009 Mar;27(3):158-67. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2008.11.009. Epub 2009 Jan 31.

    PubMed 19187989

  • Rageh MA, El-Khalawany M, Ibrahim SMA. Autologous nanofat injection in treatment of scars: A clinico-histopathological study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Oct;20(10):3198-3204. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14363. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

    PubMed 34357682

  • Tonnard P, Verpaele A, Peeters G, Hamdi M, Cornelissen M, Declercq H. Nanofat grafting: basic research and clinical applications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Oct;132(4):1017-1026. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31829fe1b0.

    PubMed 23783059

  • Klinger M, Klinger F, Caviggioli F, Maione L, Catania B, Veronesi A, Giannasi S, Bandi V, Giaccone M, Siliprandi M, Barbera F, Battistini A, Lisa A, Vinci V. Fat Grafting for Treatment of Facial Scars. Clin Plast Surg. 2020 Jan;47(1):131-138. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2019.09.002. Epub 2019 Oct 21.

    PubMed 31739889

  • Miao L, Ma Y, Liu Z, Ruan H, Yuan B. Modern techniques in addressing facial acne scars: A thorough analysis. Skin Res Technol. 2024 Feb;30(2):e13573. doi: 10.1111/srt.13573.

    PubMed 38303407

  • Kravvas G, Al-Niaimi F. A systematic review of treatments for acne scarring. Part 1: Non-energy-based techniques. Scars Burn Heal. 2017 Mar 30;3:2059513117695312. doi: 10.1177/2059513117695312. eCollection 2017 Jan-Dec.

    PubMed 29799567

  • Fabbrocini G, Fardella N, Monfrecola A, Proietti I, Innocenzi D. Acne scarring treatment using skin needling. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009 Dec;34(8):874-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03291.x. Epub 2009 May 22.

    PubMed 19486041

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing nanofat injecion, Platelet rich fibrin and Microneedling in people with Acne Scars - Atrophic, run by Assiut University.

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 1 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 18 Mar 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 Marilyn Sameh Abd Almalak, Assistant lecturer (+201226310521, marilyn.sameh@aun.edu.eg), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

compare the efficacy and safety of combined nanofat injection with either platelet rich fibrin or microneedling versus nanofat injection alone in the treatment of facial atrophic post acne scars. (time frame: 6 months). 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 NCT07471854, which also lists 15 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 18 Mar 2026.

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