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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
change in Goodman and Baron's qualitative grading score