Comparative Study of Two Topical Anesthetics Prior to Fractional Nonablative Laser Treatment of the Face

NCT ID: NCT04523961

Last Updated: 2025-08-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2/PHASE3
• Total Enrollment: 22 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-01-08
• Study Completion Date: 2025-02-19

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream versus lidocaine 23%/tetracaine 7% ointment for topical anesthesia prior to a nonablative laser procedure.

Detailed Description

Lidocaine 23% / tetracaine 7% ointment and lidocaine 2.5%/ prilocaine 2.5% cream are both topical anesthetics that are used commonly to locally anesthetize the skin prior to laser procedures. With the increased use of powerful lasers for medical and cosmetic purposes, adequate pain control is necessary. This study will compare the efficacy of lidocaine 23% / tetracaine 7% ointment and lidocaine 2.5%/ prilocaine 2.5% cream in reducing self-reported pain after laser treatment. It will also aim to determine the amount of redness, burning and itching a patient experiences with each cream, and if any symptoms of lidocaine toxicity are experienced.

Prior to the procedure, we will randomly assign half of the face to be applied with 2.5 g of lidocaine 23% / tetracaine 7% ointment without occlusion and the other half of the face with 7.5 g lidocaine 2.5%/ prilocaine 2.5% cream with occlusion. After 60 minutes we will remove the creams with soap and water. Next, the patient will be treated with a fractional thulium fiber laser with a fluence of 20 millijoules and treatment level of 7-11. Standard post procedure instructions will be given, and surveys on symptoms and pain will be completed by both patient and investigator.

Conditions

Anesthesia, Local; Photodamaged Skin; Topical and Infiltration Anesthetic Toxicity

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

2.5 g of lidocaine 23% / tetracaine 7% ointment

Patients undergoing 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser treatment of the face for photodamage as part of normal clinical care will have randomly assigned half of the face applied with 2.5 g of lidocaine 23% / tetracaine 7% ointment without occlusion for 60 minutes.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

2.5 g of lidocaine 23% / tetracaine 7% ointment without occlusion

Intervention Type: DRUG

Topical anesthetic used to numb the skin prior to laser procedures

7.5 g lidocaine 2.5%/ prilocaine 2.5% cream

Patients undergoing 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser treatment of the face for photodamage as part of normal clinical care will have randomly assigned half of the face applied with 7.5 g lidocaine 2.5%/ prilocaine 2.5% cream with occlusion for 60 minutes.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

7.5 g lidocaine 2.5%/ prilocaine 2.5% cream with occlusion

Intervention Type: DRUG

Topical anesthetic used to numb the skin prior to laser procedures

Interventions

2.5 g of lidocaine 23% / tetracaine 7% ointment without occlusion

Topical anesthetic used to numb the skin prior to laser procedures

Intervention Type: DRUG

7.5 g lidocaine 2.5%/ prilocaine 2.5% cream with occlusion

Topical anesthetic used to numb the skin prior to laser procedures

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

23/7 ointment; EMLA Cream

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Male or female in general good health.18 years of age or older.
• Undergoing 1927nm fractional thulium laser treatment.
• Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV with at least mild photodamage of the face by physician discretion.
• Subject has completed an appropriately administered informed consent process which includes signing the institutional review board (IRB) approved consent form.
• Willingness to have facial exams and digital photos performed of the face.
• Female patients will be either of non-childbearing potential defined as:
• Having no uterus;
• No menses for at least 12 months; or
• (WOCBP) women of childbearing potential must agree to use an effective method of birth control during the course of the study, such as:
• Oral contraceptive pill, injection, implant, patch, vaginal ring, intrauterine device;
• Intrauterine coil;
• Bilateral tubal ligation;
• Barrier method used with an additional form of contraception (e.g., sponge, spermicide or condom);
• Abstinence (if practicing abstinence must agree to use barrier method described above if becomes sexually active);
• Vasectomized partner (Must agree to use barrier method described above if becomes sexually active with non-vasectomized).

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of incompletely healed wound or active skin disease within in treatment area.
• Pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding during the course of the study.
• Individuals who have ablative laser within 6 months; non ablative lasers, facial peels, or dermabrasion within 1 month.
• Individuals with known allergies or sensitivities to any of the ingredients of any topical products being used in this study (a list of the products with active and excipients will be provided below).
• Subjects with any pre-existing medical or psychological condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would put them at increased risk due to study treatment or participation.
• Subjects who are unable to comprehend the study consent document or provide full written consent.
• Subjects who have taken isotretinoin within 3 months or systemic corticosteroids within 1 month.
• Subjects with history of severe cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled seizures, immunosuppression.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Mayo Clinic

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Elika Hoss, MD

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Elika Hoss

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Mayo Clinic

Locations

Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Countries

United States

Related Links

https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials

Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials

Other Identifiers

20-002677

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id