PRP Plus Fractional CO₂ Laser for Acne Scars

NCT07352215 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: No. IRB.22/ GMCCPSP/REU/DER-2023-093-19340
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing improves the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne scars compared with laser alone. Seventy adults aged 18-40 years will be recruited from the Dermatology Department of Gujranwala Medical College Teaching Hospital. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either fractional CO₂ laser combined with topical PRP or fractional CO₂ laser alone, with three treatment sessions delivered four weeks apart. The primary outcome is the change in acne scar severity measured using the Goodman and Baron Quantitative Acne Scar Scale. Secondary outcomes include redness, edema, pain scores, and patient satisfaction assessed using Likert and numeric rating scales. The study is single-blinded, with patients unaware of treatment allocation. PRP will be prepared using a standardized double-spin centrifugation process. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tests with a significance level of p \< 0.05. The study aims to determine whether PRP enhances laser efficacy, reduces side effects, and improves patient-reported outcomes.

Conditions

Carbon Dioxide Lasers; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Post-Acne Atrophic Scars

Keywords

Post-acne Scarring; Fractional CO₂ Laser; PRP Therapy; Skin Resurfacing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Acne Scar Severity (Goodman and Baron Quantitative Acne Scar Scale)

  Acne scar severity will be assessed using the Goodman and Baron Quantitative Acne Scar Scale, which grades scars based on type, number of lesions, and affected surface area. Scores will be recorded at baseline and at each follow-up visit to measure improvement over the course of treatment.

  12weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Redness (Erythema) Score

  12weeks

• Edema (Swelling) Score

  12 weeks

• Pain Score (11-Point Numeric Rating Scale)

  12 weeks

• Patient Satisfaction Rating

  12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Laser + PRP arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive fractional CO₂ laser treatment followed by the application of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Three sessions are administered at four-week intervals. PRP is prepared using a double-spin centrifugation method and applied topically immediately after laser treatment.

Procedure: Fractional CO₂ Laser + Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Laser only arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive fractional CO₂ laser treatment alone, without PRP. Three sessions are administered at four-week intervals using the same laser parameters as the intervention group. To maintain masking, a placebo-filled syringe covered with opaque tape is touched to the skin without delivering PRP.

Procedure: Fractional CO₂ Laser Only

Interventions

Fractional CO₂ Laser Only PROCEDURE

Fractional CO₂ Laser Only Participants receive fractional CO₂ laser treatment alone, with the same laser settings and treatment schedule as the intervention group. Three sessions are performed at four-week intervals. To maintain participant blinding, a placebo-filled syringe covered with opaque tape is applied to the skin without delivering PRP.

Laser only arm

Fractional CO₂ Laser + Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) PROCEDURE

Fractional CO₂ Laser + Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Participants receive fractional CO₂ laser treatment followed by topical application of autologous platelet-rich plasma. Three treatment sessions are performed at four-week intervals. PRP is prepared using a standardized double-spin centrifugation method from 10 mL of the participant's blood. After laser resurfacing, the PRP is applied immediately to the treated area to enhance healing and collagen remodeling.

Laser + PRP arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female participants
• Fitzpatrick skin types I to V
• Presence of moderate-to-severe acne scars
• Willing to undergo 3 treatment sessions and follow-up visits
• Able to provide informed consent -

You may not qualify if:

• History of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring
• Active acne or active skin inflammation at treatment area
• Diabetes mellitus
• Photosensitive disorders (e.g., lupus, dermatomyositis)
• Melasma
• Active infections (e.g., Herpes simplex)
• Recent laser resurfacing or similar procedures
• Outdoor workers with high sun exposure
• Vitiligo
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy
• Unrealistic expectations or inability to comply with follow-up

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: collaborator
• Gujranwala medical college District Headquarters Hospital, Gujranwala: lead

Study Sites (1)

Destrict Head Quarter Hospital, Gujranwala

Gujranwala, Punjab Province, 52250, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (2)

• Rullan PP, Olson R, Lee KC. A Combination Approach to Treating Acne Scars in All Skin Types: Carbolic Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars, Blunt Bi-level Cannula Subcision, and Microneedling-A Case Series. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020 May;13(5):19-23. Epub 2020 May 1.

  PMID: 32802250 BACKGROUND

• Connolly D, Vu HL, Mariwalla K, Saedi N. Acne Scarring-Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Treatment Options. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Sep;10(9):12-23. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

  PMID: 29344322 RESULT

Study Officials

• YASAAN SAAQIB

  Gujranwala Medial College Gujranwala

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

YASAAN SAAQIB, MBBS

CONTACT

0923234525277; saani1992222@gmail.com

Nabeela Shahzadi

CONTACT

+92 331 4218784; nabeela.pk82@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This study uses single masking. Participants are blinded to their group assignment by placebo-filled syringes covered with opaque tape applied to the skin without injection to mimic the appearance and procedure of PRP application in control group. The treating physician and study staff are aware of the allocation, while the patients and the outcome statistician remain blinded to group identity.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups. One group will receive fractional CO₂ laser combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), while the second group will receive fractional CO₂ laser alone. Each participant remains in the same assigned group for the entire study duration, and the interventions are delivered independently and simultaneously across both groups without crossover.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 11, 2026
• First Posted: January 20, 2026
• Study Start: October 31, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 12, 2026
• Study Completion: April 30, 2026
• Last Updated: January 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

PA (1)