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Comparing DFG and CO2 Lasers for Pain and Wound Healing

This study is comparing two types of laser treatments, the DFG Laser and the CO2 Laser, to see which one causes less pain and helps wounds heal faster. Researchers want to find out if the DFG Laser could be a better option with fewer side effects and less recovery time. You might be able to join if you are a healthy adult, at least 18 years old, and can read and understand English. The study will measure your pain levels and how quickly your skin heals after treatment. The current recruitment status is unclear, but the study plans to enroll 23 healthy participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 23 healthy participants to compare two laser treatments. It is not specified if the study is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would receive DFG and CO2 laser treatments on your upper thighs. Photography, pain scores, and OCT imaging (a type of skin scan) will be recorded during study visits.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain will be measured at 90 minutes, and wound healing time will be measured at 1 month after treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06295471

A Comparative Clinical Study to Assess Pain Score and Wound Healing Following Fractional Ablation With a DFG Laser and CO2 Laser

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalBasic science
Massachusetts General Hospital
~23 participants
Updated 2026-04-28 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:DFG LaserCO2 LaserOptical coherence tomography (OCT)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score
Measured over 90 minutes
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Healthy

Explore related trials

Healthy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

Study leadership

  • Dieter Manstein, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Massachusetts General Hospital

Who to contact

Alicia Van Cott, NP
[email protected]
617-726-4454
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Subjects must be able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol;
Subjects must be in good general health, based on answers provided during the screening visit;
Subjects must be able to read and understand English.
Subjects must be above the age of 18.
Subjects must have no history of skin conditions that affect the integrity of the skin barrier.

Exclusion

Are pregnant or lactating;
Have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or have reported habitual alcohol intake greater than 2 standard drinks per day \[e.g., 2 beers, 2 glasses of wine, or 2 mixed drinks\];
Are smoking or have a history of smoking;
Presence of eczema, psoriasis, skin wounds or ulcers, or any other skin disease on the thighs;
Have birth marks, tattoos, scars, or any other disfiguration of the skin in the skin area of interest;
Presence of sunburn or tan in the treatment area;
Use of any topical application of retinoids in the area of interest or systemic retinoids in the past 6 months;
Use of any prescription topical medication, such as corticosteroids or hydroquinone on the skin area of interest in the past 6 months;
History of blood-clotting abnormality;
History of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring;
History of allergic reaction to local anesthesia, aluminum chloride, and/or glycerol;
Investigator, interfere with study evaluations or pose a risk to subject safety during the study;
Exhibits any clinical conditions or takes any medication which in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with the study or pose a risk to subject safety during the study;
Is not able to follow study protocol.

What this trial measures

  • Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score90 minutes

    Subjects will report pain score using VAS for the CO2 and DFG laser treated areas at Visit 1. The VAS is a 10cm long scale with 0cm representing "no pain" and 10cm representing "worst possible pain".

  • Wound healing time1 month

    Wound healing of the laser treated areas will be assessed and compared via photography at each visit.