Back to search results

Skin Responses to Menthol, Capsaicin, and Camphor Gels

This study is looking at how different gels, including menthol, capsaicin (from chili peppers), and camphor, affect your skin. These gels work by stimulating special channels in your skin called Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, which are also affected by temperature. Researchers want to understand how applying these gels to the skin changes blood flow and how you feel sensations. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 85 years old and are not pregnant or breastfeeding. The study plans to enroll 45 people. To see if the gels are working, researchers will measure skin blood flow, how you perceive sensations, and pain levels over a period of about two hours.

Study design
This study is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive specific treatments. It plans to enroll 45 participants aged 18 to 85.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your skin blood flow, sensation, and pain levels will be measured for up to 120 minutes after the gels are applied.

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

NCT06444594

Transient Receptor Potential Channels

Enrolling by Invitation
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18–85InterventionalBasic science
Penn State University
~45 participants
Updated 2026-07-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:TRPM8 AgonistTRPV1 AgonistTRPV4 AgonistTRPM8, TRPV4, TRPV1 AgonistsVehicle gel

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Skin blood flow during slow local heating
Measured over 75 minutes
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Aging

Explore related trials

Aging

NCT06444594

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Noll Laboratory

    University Park, Pennsylvaniano site contact published

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Lacy Alexander, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Penn State University

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18-85 years old.
Women will not be pregnant and/or breastfeeding.

Exclusion

Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Nicotine use (e.g., smoking, chewing tobacco etc.), quantified as more than 100 cigarettes or cigars in a lifetime)
Known skin allergies or current rash, skin disease, disorders of pigmentation
Diabetes
Body mass index \>35kg\*m-2
Using calcium channel blockers
Raynaud's syndrome
Allergy or hypersensitivity to menthol, camphor, capsaicin or adhesive
Regular use (defined as greater than once a week) of topical analgesics that contain menthol, camphor or capsaicin

What this trial measures

  • Skin blood flow during slow local heating75 minutes

    Laser doppler flowmeter to measure skin blood flow during a slow local heating of the skin

  • Somatosensory perceptionevery 5 minutes for 120 minues

    heat and cold perception using a visual analog scale

  • algometer measurementevery 30 minutes for 120 minutes

    pain pressure thresholds