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Comparison of Efficacy of Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Fillers With Subcision for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne

NCT07752186 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 100

Last updated 2026-08-07

No results posted yet for this study

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. 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

Interventions

BIOLOGICAL

Platelet-Rich Plasma Bio-Filler With Subcision

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.

DEVICE

Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Subcision

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Lahore General Hospital

    lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

  • Kainat Haq · Lahore General Hospital, Lahore

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
15 Years
Max Age
45 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-08-10
Primary Completion
2026-02-10
Completion
2026-02-10

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07752186 on ClinicalTrials.gov