Poly-L-Lactic Acid in Atrophic Acne Scars

April 3, 2026 updated by: Reham Essam, Zagazig University

Poly-L-Lactic Acid: A Comparative Study of Injectable and Thread-Based Delivery in Atrophic Acne Scars

Background: Management of atrophic acne scars remains challenging due to their heterogeneous morphology and suboptimal response to conventional therapies. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biostimulatory agent, promotes neocollagenesis and has emerged as a promising therapeutic option. However, comparative data on different delivery modalities of PLLA and their effects on dermal remodeling and skin physiology remain limited.

Objective: To compare two delivery modalities of PLLA (injectable versus mono-thread) and evaluate their effects on dermal remodeling, clinical outcomes, and safety in atrophic acne scars.

Methods: This prospective split-face study included 24 patients with atrophic acne scars. The right facial side was treated with a single session of PLLA mono-threads, while the left side received two sessions of injectable PLLA at 6-week intervals. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Goodman and Baron's qualitative and quantitative grading systems over a 3-month follow-up period.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

52

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Egypt
    • Sharqia Province
      • Zagazig, Sharqia Province, Egypt, 2543
        • Recruiting
        • Zagazig university hospitals
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • included adult patients (≥18 years) of both sexes presenting with clinically diagnosed atrophic acne scars (Grades 2-4 according to the Goodman and Baron classification)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • active acne lesions, pregnancy or lactation, bleeding disorders, keloid tendency, systemic diseases affecting wound healing, recent acne scar treatment within the past six months, and known hypersensitivity to PLLA components.

Study Plan

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

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: injectable PLLA
Drug: injectable PLLA

The vial was reconstituted with 8 mL of bacteriostatic sterile water for injection (BSWFI). After at least 2 hours, 2 mL of lidocaine (1-2%) with epinephrine was added, making the total solution volume 10 mL. One hour later, the vial was gently shaken, and the syringes were prepared for injection.

The injection was given using 28-G needles beneath each scar with a serial injection technique during each session.
Experimental: PLLA threads
Drug: PLLA threads
On the right side of the face, PLLA threads were used in a single session. Approximately 8-10 Everline PLLA mono-threads

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
change in Goodman and Baron's qualitative grading score
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Zagazig University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 15, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 15, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 3, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ZU-IRB# 212/March 2024

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Atrophic Acne Scarring

Clinical Trials on injectable PLLA

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Pakistan

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe