Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fractional Ablative Erbium Laser for Axillary Scarring for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients

Single center, open-label, baseline-controlled study evaluating the use of a Sciton fractionated ablative laser in the treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) scarring.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Scarring
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Er: YAG laser

Detailed Description

Single center, open-label, baseline-controlled study evaluating the use of a Sciton fractionated ablative laser in the treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) scarring. The device is FDA approved for the treatment of scarring in all skin types. The study team seeks to observe the efficacy and tolerability in patients without active HS lesions. The study may enroll up to 19 subjects looking for improvement in their HS scarring in the axillary region. The subjects will receive treatment with the Sciton Joule Er:YAG 2940nm laser along with treatment with topical tretinoin, hydroquinone, and hydrocortisone starting 1 month prior to first laser treatment as per standard of care for scar treatment. Each patient will receive 3 treatments spaced approximately one month apart. The patients will be surveyed about their quality of life due to HS scarring, as well as their perspectives on their axillary scarring before and after their assigned treatments. All patients included in the study will have no contraindications to either laser or the use of standard treatment protocol (tretinoin and hydroquinone). Subjects in the laser group will complete a DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) survey, patient satisfaction survey, and clinical photographs at each treatment visit and at follow-up 1, 2, and 3 months after the last treatment. Subjects in the topical treatment group will be evaluated at the initial visit, month 3 and month 6.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • Elmsford, New York, United States, 10523
      • Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy males and females, ≥ 18 years of age at time of informed consent with no upper age limit, seeking treatment for HS scarring in the axillary region.
• Subjects must voluntarily sign and date an IRB approved informed consent form.
• Subjects with diagnosis of HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) scarring recorded over the past 6 months.
• Subject has an HS PGA (Hidradenitis Suppurativa Physician's Global Assessment) Scale of 0 or 1
• Able to read, understand and voluntarily provide written informed consent.
• Subjects are determined to be healthy, non-smokers.
• Subjects able and willing to comply with the treatment protocol and follow-up schedule and requirements.
• Understand and accept the obligation not to undergo any other procedures in the areas to be treated through the follow-up period.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject does not have the capacity to consent to the study.
• Subject underwent any medical-grade scar treatments (ie, lasers, excision procedures, topical prescriptions for scars) in the past 6 months prior to enrollment in the study.
• Any history of keloid 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.
• Subject has no health contraindications to receiving local lidocaine and epinephrine injections, including but not limited to any form of heart disease or arrhythmia, untreated or uncontrolled severe hypertension, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, pheochromocytoma, Cocaine use.
• History or current use of the following prescription medications:Accutane or other systemic retinoids within the past twelve months, Tricyclic antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, B-blocker
• Smoking or vaping in the past 12 months.
• History of an allergy or an adverse reaction to hydroquinone or tretinoin.
• History of photosensitivity and/or connective tissue disease.
• History of uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension and depression.
• History of ongoing pregnancy, active breastfeeding, cancer, and epilepsy.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Laser Treatment; The parameters of the laser will be set according to optimal operation protocol and in accordance with guidelines set forth by Sciton. Each laser treatment will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes per subject to target HS scarring.	Device: Er: YAG laser; Patients will be treated with laser for their HS scarring.; Other Names: laser; fractional ablative laser

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Modified Scale for HS Scar Severity (mSHSS)	HS Scar Severity will be assessed in participants using mSHSS as follows: Clear - 0 - No visible scars from HS Almost Clear -1 - Hardly visible from 2.5 m away Mild - 2-Easily recognizable; less than half the affected area Moderate - 3 - More than half the affected area involved Severe - 4 - Entire area involved Very Severe - 5 - Entire area with prominent atrophic or hypertrophic scars	Month 0
Modified Scale for HS Scar Severity (mSHSS)	HS Scar Severity will be assessed in participants using mSHSS as follows: Clear - 0 - No visible scars from HS Almost Clear -1 - Hardly visible from 2.5 m away Mild - 2-Easily recognizable; less than half the affected area Moderate - 3 - More than half the affected area involved Severe - 4 - Entire area involved Very Severe - 5 - Entire area with prominent atrophic or hypertrophic scars	Month 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Subject Satisfaction Survey	Following treatment participants will be asked to complete a survey in the clinic while referring to their image in a mirror and comparing post-treatment photos versus baseline photos. Scoring will be assessed as follows (-3 = Greatly decreased, -2 = Moderately decreased, -1 = Slightly decreased, 0 = No change, 1 = Slightly increased, 2 = Moderately increased, 3 = Greatly increased) with a lower overall score denoting improvement in appearance.	Month 1
Subject Satisfaction Survey	Following treatment participants will be asked to complete a survey in the clinic while referring to their image in a mirror and comparing post-treatment photos versus baseline photos. Scoring will be assessed as follows (-3 = Greatly decreased, -2 = Moderately decreased, -1 = Slightly decreased, 0 = No change, 1 = Slightly increased, 2 = Moderately increased, 3 = Greatly increased) with a lower overall score denoting improvement in appearance.	Month 2
Subject Satisfaction Survey	Following treatment participants will be asked to complete a survey in the clinic while referring to their image in a mirror and comparing post-treatment photos versus baseline photos. Scoring will be assessed as follows (-3 = Greatly decreased, -2 = Moderately decreased, -1 = Slightly decreased, 0 = No change, 1 = Slightly increased, 2 = Moderately increased, 3 = Greatly increased) with a lower overall score denoting improvement in appearance.	Month 3
Subject Satisfaction Survey	Participants will be asked to complete a survey in the clinic while referring to their image in a mirror and comparing post-treatment photos versus baseline photos. Scoring will be assessed as follows (-3 = Greatly decreased, -2 = Moderately decreased, -1 = Slightly decreased, 0 = No change, 1 = Slightly increased, 2 = Moderately increased, 3 = Greatly increased) with a lower overall score denoting improvement in appearance.	Month 4
Subject Satisfaction Survey	Participants will be asked to complete a survey in the clinic while referring to their image in a mirror and comparing post-treatment photos versus baseline photos. Scoring will be assessed as follows (-3 = Greatly decreased, -2 = Moderately decreased, -1 = Slightly decreased, 0 = No change, 1 = Slightly increased, 2 = Moderately increased, 3 = Greatly increased) with a lower overall score denoting improvement in appearance.	Month 5
Subject Satisfaction Survey	Participants will be asked to complete a survey in the clinic while referring to their image in a mirror and comparing post-treatment photos versus baseline photos. Scoring will be assessed as follows (-3 = Greatly decreased, -2 = Moderately decreased, -1 = Slightly decreased, 0 = No change, 1 = Slightly increased, 2 = Moderately increased, 3 = Greatly increased) with a lower overall score denoting improvement in appearance.	Month 6
Physician graded assessment of scar severity	Scar severity will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened scar severity) to 3 (greatly improved scar severity). A score of zero represents no change in scar severity.	Month 0
Physician graded assessment of hyperpigmentation	Hyperpigmentation will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened hyperpigmentation) to 3 (greatly improved hyperpigmentation). A score of zero represents no change in hyperpigmentation.	Month 0
Physician graded assessment of scar severity	Scar severity will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened scar severity) to 3 (greatly improved scar severity). A score of zero represents no change in scar severity.	Month 2
Physician graded assessment of hyperpigmentation	Hyperpigmentation will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened hyperpigmentation) to 3 (greatly improved hyperpigmentation). A score of zero represents no change in hyperpigmentation.	Month 2
Physician graded assessment of scar severity	Scar severity will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened scar severity) to 3 (greatly improved scar severity). A score of zero represents no change in scar severity.	Month 3
Physician graded assessment of hyperpigmentation	Hyperpigmentation will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened hyperpigmentation) to 3 (greatly improved hyperpigmentation). A score of zero represents no change in hyperpigmentation.	Month 3
Physician graded assessment of scar severity	Scar severity will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened scar severity) to 3 (greatly improved scar severity). A score of zero represents no change in scar severity.	Month 4
Physician graded assessment of hyperpigmentation	Hyperpigmentation will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened hyperpigmentation) to 3 (greatly improved hyperpigmentation). A score of zero represents no change in hyperpigmentation.	Month 4
Physician graded assessment of scar severity	Scar severity will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened scar severity) to 3 (greatly improved scar severity). A score of zero represents no change in scar severity.	Month 5
Physician graded assessment of hyperpigmentation	Hyperpigmentation will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened hyperpigmentation) to 3 (greatly improved hyperpigmentation). A score of zero represents no change in hyperpigmentation.	Month 5
Physician graded assessment of hyperpigmentation	Hyperpigmentation will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened hyperpigmentation) to 3 (greatly improved hyperpigmentation). A score of zero represents no change in hyperpigmentation.	Month 6
Physician graded assessment of scar severity	Scar severity will be assessed in participants by way of GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) using photographic assessments. Scoring will range from -3 (greatly worsened scar severity) to 3 (greatly improved scar severity). A score of zero represents no change in scar severity.	Month 6

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Kseniya Kobets, MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 20, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 20, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): July 22, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 17, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 9, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Infections; Skin Diseases; Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Infections and Mycoses; Sweat Gland Diseases; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Suppuration; Fibrosis; Hidradenitis; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Cicatrix; Equipment and Supplies; Optical Devices; Radiation Equipment and Supplies; Lasers; Lasers, Solid-State
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2022-14262

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No