1726-nm Laser (AviClear) for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): A Randomized Split-Body, Sham-Controlled Pilot Trial
Wynn Medical Center
Summary
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a long-lasting skin condition that causes painful lumps, abscesses, and tunnels in areas such as the armpits and groin. HS begins around the hair follicle; when the follicle becomes blocked and inflamed, new lesions form. Prior clinical studies of lasers that act on the hair follicle have shown improvement in HS symptoms, and a 1726-nm diode laser-designed to selectively heat oil glands within the follicle-has reduced inflammatory lesions in acne with good tolerability across many skin types. This study will test whether a 1726-nm diode laser can safely reduce inflammatory HS lesions in Hurley stage I-II disease. Adults with bilateral (right/left) affected areas will be randomized so that one side receives active laser treatment and the other side receives a sham procedure. Participants will have three treatment sessions over 8 weeks and follow-up through Week 24 while continuing their stable HS medications. The primary outcome is the percent change in abscess and inflammatory nodule counts on the treated side versus the sham side at Week 16. Secondary outcomes include validated HS responder scores, pain, quality of life, flare rate/antibiotic use, and safety. Results may support a non-ablative, follicle-directed option for early HS.
Description
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorder of the hair follicle characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and dermal tunnels that cluster in intertriginous sites. Contemporary models place follicular occlusion and rupture of the pilosebaceous unit, rather than primary apocrine disease, at the start of the cascade, with downstream innate/adaptive immune activation (e.g., TNF-α, IL-17/IL-23 axes). This follicle-centric pathogenesis underpins the therapeutic logic for energy-based approaches that target follicular structures to reduce lesion initiation. Multip…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults 18-60 years; any sex; Fitzpatrick I-VI. * Clinical HS, Hurley I-II (Investigator confirmed). * At least one inflammatory nodule in a paired, bilateral region (axilla, groin/inguinal, inframammary, inner thigh, or buttock) within 4 weeks prior to baseline. * Able to read/speak English/Chinese/Spanish/Vietnamese and sign consent. * Willing/able to comply with visits, pre/post-care, standardized photography. * Agree to avoid new HS procedures/therapies in study areas through Week 24. * No laser contraindication; agrees to shave/clip hair before treatments. * Optional…
Interventions
- DeviceAviClear Lase Treatment
Three laser sessions at Weeks 0, 4, 8; follow-ups at Weeks 12, 16, 24.
- DeviceSham (No Treatment)
No active laser treatment
Location
- Wynn Medical Center Rheumatology/DermatologyRosemead, California