HyperpigmentationNCT05165524
Brightening Cream and Lasers in Post-sclerotherapy Hyperpigmentation
A study testing QS Nd:YAG laser and Triple cream in people with Hyperpigmentation and Varicosis, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial summary
The treatment of leg veins and varicosis with sclerotherapy is one of the most frequently performed medical intervention in the western world. The most common local side effects of this treatment are hyperpigmentations caused by hemosiderin deposition in the skin as well as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Hyperpigmentation, Varicosis
- What is being tested?
- QS Nd:YAG laser and Triple cream
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 66 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 3 Mar 2022to 14 Jan 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV
- Presence of at least 1 postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy
Who cannot join
- History of adverse events related to short-pulsed laser therapy
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
- Intention to become pregnant during the course of the study
- History of intolerance or allergic reaction to triple cream or one of its ingredients
- Prior treatment with parenteral gold therapy
- Inability to understand the study content
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Switzerland1 site
Department of dermatology, University Hospital Inselspital, Bern
Bern, 3010
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Brightening Creams vs Laser Therapy (QS Nd:YAG 1064nm Laser) in Skin Hyperpigmentation After Sclerotherapy by Objective Measurement: A Randomized Controlled Monocentric Trial
The treatment of leg veins and varicosis with sclerotherapy is one of the most frequently performed medical intervention in the western world. The most common local side effects of this treatment are hyperpigmentations caused by hemosiderin deposition in the skin as well as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Although skin hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy is a common over several months up to years lasting side-effect with a strong aesthetic impact, scanty data exist about treatment options.
Read more
Quality-Switched (QS) lasers are efficient in the removal of exogenous and endogenous pigments, such as tattoos as well as epidermal and dermal melanin deposits. The laser light is absorbed by pigment particles, leading to a fragmentation of these particles by a photothermal and photoacoustic effect. Smaller particles can be then phagocyted by macrophages, and transported via the lymphatic system into the lymph nodes. Furthermore, the positive effect of QS lasers in the management of cutaneous siderosis in stasis dermatitis and after sclerotherapy has been described in several cases.
Triple cream including hydroquinone, tretinoin and a topical corticosteroid (eg dexamethasone), is the first line therapy in the treatment of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the efficiency of two well-known depigmentation methods (QS laser and triple cream) for treatment of post sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation, compared with a control group performing no treatment.
- Conditions
- Hyperpigmentation, Varicosis
- Being tested
- QS Nd:YAG laser, Triple cream
- Keywords
- laser, Nd:YAG
- Medical subject headings
- Hyperpigmentation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
QS Nd:YAG laserDevice
Patients will be treated with Quality-switched (QS) Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (MedLite® C6) operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, fluence range from 2.1 J/cm2 to 8.1 J/cm2 with a 4-6mm spot size.
Triple creamDrug
Patients will be treated with a triple brightening cream (Pigmanorm®), applied daily, three times per week for 12 weeks on the lesion. Interruption for 4 days will be adopted in case of irritation/redness. 50+ sun protection cream will be used as well during the treatment period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Laser | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Device: QS Nd:YAG laser |
| Cream | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Drug: Triple cream |
| Control | No intervention | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Equivalence of laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation as assessed by SHI
Equivalence of laser and cream groups in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation as assessed by Skin Hyperpigmentation Index (SHI), ranging from 1 to 4, with higher score indicating a worst hyperpigmentation.
Measured: 16 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Efficacy of laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation compared to control group as assessed by SHI
Any reduction of post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation in laser and cream compared to control group as assessed by Skin Hyperpigmentation Index (SHI), ranging from 1 to 4, with higher score indicating a worst hyperpigmentation.
Measured: 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks
Efficacy of laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation compared to control group as assessed by PGA
Any reduction of post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation in laser and cream compared to control group as assessed by 6-point Physician Global Assessment (PGA), based on before-after pictures of lesions assessment, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.
Measured: 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks
Patient's satisfaction related to laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation compared to control group
Any difference of patient's satisfaction between laser and cream compared to control group as assessed by a 9-point anchored visual analogue scale (VAS), ranging from -4 to +4, with negative scores indicating a worsening of condition, with 0 indicating no difference and with positive scores indicating an improvement.
Measured: 16 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Dec 2021
- Study start3 Mar 2022
- Primary completion14 Jan 2025
- Study completion14 Jan 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HyperpigmentationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital BernThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Kristine Heidemeyer, MD, Principal investigator, Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05165524
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2021-D0062
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 7 Dec 2021
- Last updated
- 19 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of the Effectiveness of Brightening Creams vs Laser Therapy (QS Nd:YAG 1064nm Laser) in Skin Hyperpigmentation After Sclerotherapy by Objective Measurement: A Randomized Controlled Monocentric Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05165524
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2021-D0062
- Conditions
- Hyperpigmentation, Varicosis
- Keywords
- laser, Nd:YAG
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital BernUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Mar 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 14 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 14 Jan 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Dec 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The treatment of leg veins and varicosis with sclerotherapy is one of the most frequently performed medical intervention in the western world. The most common local side effects of this treatment are hyperpigmentations caused by hemosiderin deposition in the skin as well as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Although skin hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy is a common over several months up to years lasting side-effect with a strong aesthetic impact, scanty data exist about treatment options.
Quality-Switched (QS) lasers are efficient in the removal of exogenous and endogenous pigments, such as tattoos as well as epidermal and dermal melanin deposits. The laser light is absorbed by pigment particles, leading to a fragmentation of these particles by a photothermal and photoacoustic effect. Smaller particles can be then phagocyted by macrophages, and transported via the lymphatic system into the lymph nodes. Furthermore, the positive effect of QS lasers in the management of cutaneous siderosis in stasis dermatitis and after sclerotherapy has been described in several cases.
Triple cream including hydroquinone, tretinoin and a topical corticosteroid (eg dexamethasone), is the first line therapy in the treatment of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the efficiency of two well-known depigmentation methods (QS laser and triple cream) for treatment of post sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation, compared with a control group performing no treatment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Laser | Active comparator | Device: QS Nd:YAG laser |
| Cream | Active comparator | Drug: Triple cream |
| Control | No intervention | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV
- Presence of at least 1 postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- History of adverse events related to short-pulsed laser therapy
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
- Intention to become pregnant during the course of the study
- History of intolerance or allergic reaction to triple cream or one of its ingredients
- Prior treatment with parenteral gold therapy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| QS Nd:YAG laserPatients will be treated with Quality-switched (QS) Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (MedLite® C6) operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, fluence range from 2.1 J/cm2 to 8.1 J/cm2 with a 4-6mm spot size. | Device | Laser |
| Triple creamPatients will be treated with a triple brightening cream (Pigmanorm®), applied daily, three times per week for 12 weeks on the lesion. Interruption for 4 days will be adopted in case of irritation/redness. 50+ sun protection cream will be used as well during the treatment period. | Drug | Cream |
Primary outcome
Equivalence of laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation as assessed by SHI
Time frame: 16 weeks
Equivalence of laser and cream groups in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation as assessed by Skin Hyperpigmentation Index (SHI), ranging from 1 to 4, with higher score indicating a worst hyperpigmentation.
3 secondary outcomes
Efficacy of laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation compared to control group as assessed by SHI
Time frame: 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks
Efficacy of laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation compared to control group as assessed by PGA
Time frame: 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks
Patient's satisfaction related to laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation compared to control group
Time frame: 16 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Mar 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Hyperpigmentation
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Using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool for Melanoma Diagnosis
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Baseline Dermoscopic Vascular Score and Response to Oral Tranexamic Acid in Facial Melasma
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Foam Sclerotherapy With or Without Transdermal Laser for Reticular Veins and Telangiectasias
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Kristine Heidemeyer, MD principal investigator
Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing QS Nd:YAG laser and Triple cream in people with Hyperpigmentation and Varicosis, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Equivalence of laser and cream in reducing post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation as assessed by SHI (time frame: 16 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Mar 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.