Completed

Improving Acne Scars with Standard Treatment and Suction Device

Study Aim

This study aims to evaluate the improvement in your acne scars when combining standard treatment with a suction device, by comparing the change in scarring from the beginning to the end of the treatments using a global scarring grading system.

What is being tested

Suction

+ Subcision

Procedure

Who is being recruted

From 18 to 65 Years

+9 Eligibility Criteria

See all eligibility criteria

How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Interventional

Study Start: September 2012

See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorNorthwestern University

Last updated: July 1, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: September 1, 2012

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

This study focuses on treating acne scars, specifically the rolling type. It aims to find out if combining a standard treatment with a suction technique improves acne scar appearance more than the standard treatment alone. The study targets individuals with rolling acne scars, hoping to provide a more effective solution for this common skin concern. The potential outcomes of this research could lead to enhanced care and treatment options for those dealing with acne scars. Participants in this study receive both the standard treatment and the suction technique on different areas of their face. The suction procedure involves the use of a microdermabrasion device. To measure the results, a global scarring grading system compares the acne scarring at the beginning of the study to the scarring after the treatments. This helps determine if the addition of suction leads to greater improvement in acne scar appearance.

NCT01696513

Principal SponsorNorthwestern University

Last updated: July 1, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

Design Details

20 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Treatment Study

These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

From 18 to 65 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Criteria

3 inclusion criteria required to participate

Age 18 and over

Are in good health

Have bilateral rolling acne scars

6 exclusion criteria prevent from participating

Has mental illness

Pregnancy or lactation

Prone to hypertrophic and keloidal scarring

Recent Accutane use in the past 6 months

Show More Criteria

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.

Treatment Groups

Study Objectives

2 intervention groups are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group

Treatment Groups

Group I

Experimental

Standard treatment for acne scars followed by suction.

Group II

Active Comparator

Standard treatment for acne scars only

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology

Chicago, United StatesOpen Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology in Google Maps

CompletedOne Study Center