Atrophic Acne ScarsNCT07752186
Comparison of Efficacy of Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Fillers With Subcision for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne
A study testing Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision and Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision in people with Atrophic Acne Scars, run by Lahore General Hospital at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial compared two combined treatment approaches for atrophic acne scars. A total of 100 patients aged 15-45 years were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Atrophic Acne Scars
- What is being tested?
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision and Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 10 Aug 2025to 10 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 15 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients of age 15-45 years,
- both genders,
- presenting with atrophic acne scars
Who cannot join
- Patients with photosensitive dermatosis, keloids, active acne, already taking steroidal, laser or trial treatment in last 6 months, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, hypothyroidism (TSH>5IU), pregnant or breast feeding, skin infection or inflammatory skin disorders requiring systemic antimicrobials (on medical record).
- Patients with connective tissue disorders or hypersensitivity to lidocaine, taking antiplatelet therapy, bleeding tendencies (on clinical examination)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Lahore General Hospital, Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000
About this study
This randomized controlled trial compared two combined treatment approaches for atrophic acne scars. A total of 100 patients aged 15-45 years were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. All participants underwent subcision, a minor procedure in which fibrous bands beneath depressed acne scars were released to elevate the scarred skin.
Participants in one group received platelet-rich plasma bio-filler injections after subcision. The bio-filler was prepared from each participant's own blood and was injected beneath the acne scars to provide volume and promote collagen formation. Participants in the other group received fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment after subcision. The laser created controlled microscopic skin injuries intended to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. Three treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals.
Treatment outcomes were assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale at baseline and during follow-up. Treatment-related adverse effects, including pain, erythema, bruising, and changes in skin pigmentation, were also recorded. Treatment efficacy was defined as a reduction of more than 50% in acne scar severity.
- Conditions
- Atrophic Acne Scars
- Being tested
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision, Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision
- Keywords
- Acne scarring, Atrophic acne scars, Rolling acne scars, Platelet-poor plasma gel, Plasma bio-filler
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With SubcisionBiological
Autologous plasma bio-filler was prepared from 20 mL of venous blood. The blood was centrifuged at 1,500 revolutions per minute for 10 minutes, followed by a second centrifugation at 3,000 revolutions per minute for 10 minutes. Approximately 4-5 mL of the upper plasma layer was collected, heated at 80-100°C for 5 minutes, and subsequently cooled at 0-6°C for 5 minutes to produce a viscous bio-filler. Following subcision, 0.1 mL of the bio-filler was injected beneath each marked scar. Three treatment sessions were provided at 4-week intervals.
Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With SubcisionDevice
After subcision, the treatment area received a single pass of fractional carbon dioxide laser using a pulse energy of 25 mJ, spot density of 144 spots/cm², pulse interval of 0.5 mm, and pulse duration of 0.1 milliseconds. Three treatment sessions were provided at 4-week intervals.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision | Experimental | Participants received subcision using an 18-gauge cannula with forward-backward and fanning movements. After subcision, 0.1 mL of autologous plasma bio-filler was injected intradermally beneath each marked atrophic acne scar. Three treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals. Receives: Biological: Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision |
| Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision | Active comparator | Participants received subcision using an 18-gauge cannula with forward-backward and fanning movements. Subcision was followed by a single pass of fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment. Three treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals. Receives: Device: Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale Score
Atrophic acne scar severity was assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. The scale was completed at baseline and at each follow-up assessment. The change in score from baseline was calculated for each participant and compared between the two treatment groups. A greater reduction from the baseline score represented greater improvement in acne scar severity.
Measured: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Proportion of Participants Achieving Treatment Efficacy
Treatment efficacy was defined as a reduction of more than 50% in atrophic acne scar severity compared with baseline. The reduction was determined using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. The number and percentage of participants achieving treatment efficacy were calculated for each treatment group.
Measured: 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Incidence of Treatment-Related Pain
Treatment-related pain was assessed at each follow-up visit and recorded as present or absent. The number and percentage of participants experiencing pain were compared between the two treatment groups
Measured: At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Incidence of Treatment-Related Pigmentary Changes
Hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation occurring in the treated area was assessed by clinical examination and recorded as present or absent. The number and percentage of participants developing pigmentary changes were calculated for each treatment group.
Measured: At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Aug 2026
- Study start10 Aug 2025
- Primary completion10 Feb 2026
- Study completion10 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Atrophic Acne ScarsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Muhammad Irfan Jamil, Lahore General Hospital
- Investigators
- Kainat Haq, Principal investigator, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07752186
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- LahoreGeneralH17
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Efficacy of Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Fillers With Subcision for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07752186
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LahoreGeneralH17
- Conditions
- Atrophic Acne Scars
- Keywords
- Acne scarring, Atrophic acne scars, Rolling acne scars, Platelet-poor plasma gel, Plasma bio-filler
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore General HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 10 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Aug 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.
This randomized controlled trial compared two combined treatment approaches for atrophic acne scars. A total of 100 patients aged 15-45 years were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. All participants underwent subcision, a minor procedure in which fibrous bands beneath depressed acne scars were released to elevate the scarred skin.
Participants in one group received platelet-rich plasma bio-filler injections after subcision. The bio-filler was prepared from each participant's own blood and was injected beneath the acne scars to provide volume and promote collagen formation. Participants in the other group received fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment after subcision. The laser created controlled microscopic skin injuries intended to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. Three treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals.
Treatment outcomes were assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale at baseline and during follow-up. Treatment-related adverse effects, including pain, erythema, bruising, and changes in skin pigmentation, were also recorded. Treatment efficacy was defined as a reduction of more than 50% in acne scar severity.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision | Experimental | Biological: Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With SubcisionParticipants received subcision using an 18-gauge cannula with forward-backward and fanning movements. After subcision, 0.1 mL of autologous plasma bio-filler was injected intradermally beneath each marked atrophic acne scar. Three treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals. |
| Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision | Active comparator | Device: Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With SubcisionParticipants received subcision using an 18-gauge cannula with forward-backward and fanning movements. Subcision was followed by a single pass of fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment. Three treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients of age 15-45 years,
- both genders,
- presenting with atrophic acne scars
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Patients with photosensitive dermatosis, keloids, active acne, already taking steroidal, laser or trial treatment in last 6 months, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, hypothyroidism (TSH>5IU), pregnant or breast feeding, skin infection or inflammatory skin disorders requiring systemic antimicrobials (on medical record).
- Patients with connective tissue disorders or hypersensitivity to lidocaine, taking antiplatelet therapy, bleeding tendencies (on clinical examination)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With SubcisionAutologous plasma bio-filler was prepared from 20 mL of venous blood. The blood was centrifuged at 1,500 revolutions per minute for 10 minutes, followed by a second centrifugation at 3,000 revolutions per minute for 10 minutes. Approximately 4-5 mL of the upper plasma layer was collected, heated at 80-100°C for 5 minutes, and subsequently cooled at 0-6°C for 5 minutes to produce a viscous bio-filler. Following subcision, 0.1 mL of the bio-filler was injected beneath each marked scar. Three treatment sessions were provided at 4-week intervals. | Biological | Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision |
| Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With SubcisionAfter subcision, the treatment area received a single pass of fractional carbon dioxide laser using a pulse energy of 25 mJ, spot density of 144 spots/cm², pulse interval of 0.5 mm, and pulse duration of 0.1 milliseconds. Three treatment sessions were provided at 4-week intervals. | Device | Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision |
Primary outcome
Change in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale Score
Time frame: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Atrophic acne scar severity was assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. The scale was completed at baseline and at each follow-up assessment. The change in score from baseline was calculated for each participant and compared between the two treatment groups. A greater reduction from the baseline score represented greater improvement in acne scar severity.
Proportion of Participants Achieving Treatment Efficacy
Time frame: 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Treatment efficacy was defined as a reduction of more than 50% in atrophic acne scar severity compared with baseline. The reduction was determined using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. The number and percentage of participants achieving treatment efficacy were calculated for each treatment group.
2 secondary outcomes
Incidence of Treatment-Related Pain
Time frame: At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Incidence of Treatment-Related Pigmentary Changes
Time frame: At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Aug 2026.
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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.
Kainat Haq principal investigator
Lahore General Hospital, Lahore
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision and Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision in people with Atrophic Acne Scars, run by Lahore General Hospital at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 3 inclusion and 2 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Aug 2026. 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 Pakistan. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Change in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale Score (time frame: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment.). The study lists 2 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 7 Aug 2026.