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Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

Improving the Appearance of Your Acne

This experimental treatment explores the use of a laser device in the treatment of active acne vulgaris. While the laser is FDA-approved, it isn't approved for the treatment of active acne.

12 hours
Estimated Time Commitment
Gender-expansive, Male, Female, Transgender Female, Transgender Male, 18-40 years
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $500
May Be Offered
Office visit
May Be Required
 
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This project is not recruiting.

What we are studying

Do you have moderate to severe acne that you'd like to improve? If so, you may be eligible to participate in an innovative new study combining a state-of-the-art clinical techniquqe for skin remodeling and rejuvenation. We are investigating the use of a fractional laser in treating active acne.


Why it is important

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions. While benign, acne can be cosmetically displeasing and distressing. Current treatment options include creams, antibiotic medications, and oral isotretinoin, which alone do not always make acne look better. We believe that using cutting-edge laser technology on the acne will effectively achieve a positive cosmetic result.


What we hope to accomplish

In this study, we hope to improve the clinical outcomes in the treatment of acne. Along with improving cosmetic results, we will be investigating the way that these types of skin conditions form and heal with treatment. We believe these insights could lead to new ways of treating acne.

Principal Investigator

Dieter Manstein, MD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Public Profile

Participants must be able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with requirements of the study protocol; be in good general health, based on answers provided during the screening visit; able to read and understand English; may be any gender or skin tone, must between 18 and 40 years; must have moderate to severe active acne.

Participants in other investigational drug or device clinical trial in the past 30 days; pregnant or lactating women; use of any prescription or in-clinic medication or treatments of the active acne; use of oral isotretinoin in past 12 months, prior laser treatment in the past six months, history of allergic reaction to topical anaesthesia; participants with a regular intake of high doeses of anti-inflamatory or immunoisuppressive drugs; or clinically significant abnormal findings or conditions which might, in the opinion of the investigator, interfere with study evaluations or pose a risk to subject safety during the study.

 For the first arm: Eligible participants may be asked to take part in six to 9 study visits, which include a baseline assessment, three laser treatment sessions (each spaced about one month apart), one 15 days follow- up visit, two post-procedural visits that will take place approximately 2 weeks to 12 weeks after the last treatment visits and 2 optional visits (6 and 12 months after the treatment). There may also be medical photographs and 3D imaging taken at each visit. For the second arm: Eligible participants may be asked to take part in 2 study visits. The first one includes a baseline assessment, one laser treatment session, and the second visit will be scheduled 1 week after the first one. There may also be medical photographs and 3D imaging taken at each visit. 


Project activities may include:

  • Office visit

Estimated Time Commitment

12 hours


The potential medical benefits of this study include the potential improved aesthetic appearance of acne within the treated areas on the face. Additionally, research participants will recieve a stipend upon the completion of each successful study visit. Participants will also be provided parking vouchers for the MGH parking lots upon request.

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)
55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

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Clinical Unit for Research Trials & Outcomes in Skin (CURTIS)
50 Staniford Street, Suite 240 Boston, MA 02114

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Travel

  • Parking available
  • Parking reimbursed

Travel and Parking Details

The easiest way to get to us is by taking the Red Line to the MGH/Charles Stop.



  • MGH: Walk across the street from MGH/Charles Stop to the main campus. We are located in the White Building.

  • CURTIS: Walk down Cambridge Street towards main campus, take a left on Staniford Street.


We will provide exact directions once you schedule a time to come in.


If you are parking, the Fruit Street, Parkman Street, and Yawkey Center Garages are closest. The entrances to the parking garages are also marked on the attached map, and parking vouchers will be provided. For more detailed information, check out the MGH Parking website here: https://www.massgeneral.org/visit/parking/ .


Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Department
  • Other
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