Subcision Followed by Diluted Calcium Hydroxylapatite Injection Versus Subcision Followed by Painting CROSS TCA Technique for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Subcision; Calcium Hydroxylapatite; Trichloroacetic Acid; Atrophic Acne Scar
• Interventions: Drug: Calcium hydroxylapatite filler; Drug: Painting chemical reconstruction of skin scars trichloroacetic acid technique

• Registration Number: NCT07028567
• Lead Sponsor: Tanta University

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of subcision followed by diluted calcium hydroxyapatite injection versus subcision followed by the painting original chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) technique using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for the treatment of atrophic acne scars.

Detailed Description

Atrophic scars present as depressions secondary to fibrous contractions. Subcision is a technique in which a needle is inserted under the acne scar to sever the fibrous tissue (tethers) that bind down the scar. This releases the fibrous tissue.

The original chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) technique using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) entails focal application of highly concentrated TCA (70% to 100%) with firm pressure applied to the entire atrophic area using a sharpened wooden applicator until frosting occurs.

Fillers containing hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid are increasingly used to correct atrophic acne scarring as they augment soft tissue in variable degree and are most effective in soft rolling or boxcar scars.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-01-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-06-22
• Study Completion: 2023-06-22
• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-18
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-19
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 13

Inclusion Criteria

• Age from 20 to 50 years.
• Both sexes.
• Patients with atrophic acne scars.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes V and VI.
• Receiving systemic isotretinoin medication at the time of the study.
• Active bacterial, viral or fungal infections in the treatment area.
• Hypertrophic scarring or keloidal tendency.
• Photosensitivity or photodermatitis.
• Unrealistic expectation, bleeding, coagulation disorders, and any other related skin disease.
• Pregnant or lactating females.
• Chronic debilitating diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, hepatic diseases, chronic respiratory diseases or any endocrine diseases.
• History of immunosuppressive drug intake or chemotherapy within 6 months before treatment.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Study group	Calcium hydroxylapatite filler	Patients with atrophic acne scars.
Study group	Painting chemical reconstruction of skin scars trichloroacetic acid technique	Patients with atrophic acne scars.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Patient satisfaction	One week	Patient satisfaction was assessed at the final follow-up visit using a 5-point Likert-type scale, comparing outcomes to the pre-treatment condition. The scale ranged from 1 (highly dissatisfied), 2 (slightly dissatisfied), 3 (neither satisfied nor dissatisfied), 4 (satisfied), to 5 (highly satisfied).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Tanta University; 🇪🇬 Tanta, El-Gharbia, Egypt