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Efficacy and Tolerability of a Hybrid Fractional Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scars in Patients With Skin of Color

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What is being tested

Sciton Halo

Device
Who is being recruted

Hypertrophy+4

+ Pigmentation Disorders

+ Skin Diseases

Over 18 Years
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Interventional
Study Start: October 2023
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorAlbert Einstein College of Medicine
Study ContactAnika Jallorina, BS
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: October 11, 2023

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

Acne is chronic inflammatory condition involving the pilosebaceous unit. One of the most common complications of acne is scarring, which occurs as a result of dermal damage during the healing process of active acne. Studies have shown that acne scarring can have a negative impact on an individual's quality of life and has been described as a risk factor for multiple psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, suicide, and poor self-esteem. Unfortunately, treatment of acne scarring, particularly those of the atrophic subtype, prove difficult to treat. A 2016 Cochrane review failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the first-line use of any intervention. Laser technology has been emerging as an effective, non-invasive treatment of acne scarring. Ablative lasers work by delivering energy to the dermal layer of the skin, resulting in thermal injury and stimulation of dermal cells to produce collagen, thus resolving the scar. More recently, fractional lasers, which create multiple tiny columns of thermal injury, have been introduced with the benefit of reduced downtime and adverse effects compared to ablative lasers. The fractional CO2 laser is widely used for the treatment of acne scarring, however its use is limited in patients of Fitzpatrick IV and V skin due to risk of hyperpigmentation among other adverse events. The erbium-YAG fractional laser serves as an alternative, and has shown to produce less thermal injury and thus be more well-tolerated with lower risk of adverse effects in patients. The hybrid fractional laser combines a 2940 nm wavelength with a 1470 wavelength and has an ablative component targeting the epidermis and a nonablative component targeting the dermis at the same spot. The investigators seek to investigate the Sciton Halo, hybrid fractional laser for its efficacy in treating acne scarring and tolerability in patients with a specific emphasis on those with Fitzpatrick IV and V skin.

Official TitleEfficacy and Tolerability of a Hybrid Fractional Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scars in Patients With Skin of Color
NCT05362929
Principal SponsorAlbert Einstein College of Medicine
Study ContactAnika Jallorina, BS
Last updated: January 28, 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

46 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.
Conditions
Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

Over 18 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.

Conditions

Pathology

HypertrophyPigmentation DisordersSkin DiseasesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsSkin and Connective Tissue DiseasesHyperpigmentationPathological Conditions, Anatomical

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy males and females, ≥ 18 years of age at time of informed consent, seeking treatment for acne scarring * Subject must voluntarily sign and date an IRB approved informed consent form * Subjects with diagnosis of acne scarring recorded over the past 6 months * Able to read, understand and voluntarily provide written informed consent. * Subject is determined to be healthy, non-smoker * Subjects able and willing to comply with the treatment protocol and follow-up schedule and requirements. * Understands and accepts the obligation not to undergo any other procedures in the areas to be treated through the follow-up period. Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects does not have the capacity to consent to the study * subject underwent any acne scar treatments in the past 6 months prior to enrollment in the study * Subject has active papulopustular or cystic acne within the past 6 months. * Any history of keloidal scarring. * Any previous surgical procedure in the treatment area in the past 12 months, or major surgery in the last 6 months. * History of immunosuppression/immune deficiency disorders (including AIDS and HIV infection), and/or any history of systemic chemotherapy for prior 12 months. * History or current use of the following prescription medications: Immunosuppressive medications/biologics, 6 months prior to and during the study * Accutane or other systemic retinoids within the past twelve months * Smoking or vaping in the past 12 months. * History of photosensitivity and/or connective tissue disease * History of hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, or bleeding disorders. * History of major depressive disorders or endocrine disorders including but not limited to; hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or hyperthyroidism. * History of ongoing pregnancy, active breastfeeding, cancer, and epilepsy

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
23 participants with fitzpatrick skin type IV-V will be in this arm. At the first visit, participants will undergo informed consent, education about the procedure, education about proper sun-care, and will be provided sunscreen. Participants will be prescribed a prescription of hydroquinone or a retinol to prevent hyperpigmentation, per standard of care. If participants choose to take this they will wait one month of taking the prescription and then begin treatment sessions. If not, participants can begin treatment sessions right away. Treatment consists of 3 laser sessions with the Sciton Halo hybrid fractional laser. Session amount depends on the degree of improvement. At each session before and after images will be collected. At each session participants will fill out the dermatology quality of life survey as well as a patient satisfaction survey.

Group II

Experimental
23 participants with Fitzpatrick skin type I-III will be in this arm. At the first visit, participants will undergo informed consent, education about the procedure, education about proper sun-care, and will be provided sunscreen. Participants will be prescribed a prescription of hydroquinone or a retinol to prevent hyperpigmentation, per standard of care. If participants choose to take this they will wait one month of taking the prescription and then begin treatment sessions. If not, participants can begin treatment sessions right away. Treatment consists of 3 laser sessions with the Sciton Halo hybrid fractional laser. Session amount depends on the degree of improvement. At each session before and after images will be collected. At each session participants will fill out the dermatology quality of life survey as well as a patient satisfaction survey.

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

Recruiting

555 Taxter Road

Elmsford, United StatesOpen 555 Taxter Road in Google Maps
Recruiting
One Study Center
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Hybrid Fractional Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scars in Patients With Skin of Color | PatLynk