Efficacy and Tolerability of SkinPen on Male and Female Subjects' Wrinkles of the Neck

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03803059
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: January 14, 2019
• Results First Posted: December 1, 2021
• Last Update Posted: December 1, 2021
• Sponsor: Bellus Medical, LLC
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Bellus Medical, LLC

Study Description

Brief Summary:

This single-center, the clinical trial is being conducted over the course of 90 days followed by 1-month and 6-month post-treatment visits in order to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the Sponsor's SkinPen device when used by men and women with the wrinkles of the neck.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Wrinkles	Device: SkinPen Precision	Not Applicable

Detailed Description:

A total of 32 subjects completed study participation.

At visit 1 (baseline), subjects were screened for eligibility criteria, and those who qualified either completed day 1 procedures at the same visit or returned to the clinic up to 14 days after visit 1 to complete day 1 procedures at visit 2.

On days 1, 30, 60, and 90, after completion of visit assessments, doctors or fellows at the testing facility (henceforth referred to as "clinic") treated each subject's wrinkles of the neck with SkinPen Precision System at depths of up to 2.5mm.

During the post-treatment period, Clinical evaluations were conducted at visit 2 (day 1), visit 3 (day 30), visit 4 (day 60), visit 5 (day 90), visit 6 (1month post-treatment), and visit 7 (3 months post-treatment)

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 35 participants
• Allocation: N/A
• Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: A Single-Center Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Tolerability of SkinPen on Male and Female Subjects' Wrinkles of the Neck
• Actual Study Start Date: January 31, 2019
• Actual Primary Completion Date: January 10, 2020
• Actual Study Completion Date: January 10, 2020

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Wrinkles of the Neck; Microneedle treatment neck areas.	Device: SkinPen Precision; Surgical instrument motors and accessories/attachments/Hydrogel

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Assessment of Wrinkle Severity Using the Lemperle Wrinkle Assessment Scale [ Time Frame: Day 1 and 3 Month Post Treatment ]

   Wrinkling in the neck region will be assessed according to the following definitions:

   Class 0: No Wrinkles Class 1: Just perceptible wrinkle Class 2: Shallow wrinkles Class 3: Moderately deep wrinkle Class 4: Deep wrinkle, well-defined edges Class 5: Very deep wrinkle, redundant fold

2. Clinician's Global Aesthetic Improvement Assessment (CGAIS) [ Time Frame: 3 Month Post Treatment ]

   This scale is completed in two steps:

   • Based on a live assessment of the subject while referring to the subject's pre-treatment photographs of the neck, and
   • Based on a comparison of the subject's pre-treatment photographs to the current post-treatment photographs of the neck.

   Rating and its Description

   1 --Very Much Improved: Optimal cosmetic result in this subject. 2--Much Improved: Marked improvement in appearance from the initial condition, but not completely optimal for this subject.

   3-Improved: Obvious improvement in appearance from the initial condition, but re-treatment is indicated.

   4--No Change: The appearance is essentially the same as the original condition. 5--Worse: The appearance is worse than the original condition.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Subject Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (SGAIS) [ Time Frame: 1 Month Post Treatment and 3 Month Post Treatment ]

   Rating and Description

   1. -Very Much Improved: Optimal cosmetic result.
   2. -Much Improved: Marked improvement in appearance from the initial condition, but not completely optimal.
   3. -Improved: Obvious improvement in appearance from the initial condition.
   4. -No Change: The appearance is essentially the same as the original condition.
   5. -Worse: The appearance is worse than the original condition
2. Transepidermal Water Loss of the Left Neck by Biox Aquaflux [ Time Frame: Baseline, 3 Months post treatment ]

   The severity of wrinkles is more due to increased UV exposure through the driver's side window on the left side of the face and neck, due to this reason, the Principal investigator performed the TEWL on the left side of the neck. This test was pre-specified in the protocol. This procedure was performed 4-6 cm from the left lateral neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

   Biox Aquaflux is used to measure transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements which evaluate barrier function of the skin epidermal layer to determine the progress of epidermal healing after treatment.

   Day 1 will be used as a baseline to analyze the change from baseline. TEWL is measured in g/m2/h. Normal rates of TEWL - from 2.3 g/m2/h to 44 g/m2/h - are compromised due to injury, infection, and/or severe damage as in the case of burns A decrease inTEWL reflects less water loss and an improvement in the skin's barrier properties; an absence of a change in treate

3. Vascular Density Measurements by Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT) [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) and 3-Month post Treatment ]

   Vivosight, an Optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, is used to non-invasively gather topographical and histologic images of pre-and post-treated skin. This procedure was performed 4-6 cm from the left lateral neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle. OCT measurements of the vascular density are reported in percentage (%) and were performed on the neck at 100 microns, 200 microns, and 500 microns. Scores multiplied by 1000 for analysis.

   An increase in value indicates an increase in thickness and vascular density and skin tissue density.

4. Skin Roughness Measurements by Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT) [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) and 3 Months post treatment ]

   Vivosight, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, was used to noninvasively gather topographical and histologic images of pre-and post-treated skin. This procedure was performed 4-6 cm from the left lateral neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Roughness measurements were calculated from the histologic images using RA and RZ. Skin roughness is measured in micro-meters.

   Ra is the average roughness of a surface. Rz is the difference between the tallest "peak" and the deepest "valley" on the surface.

   A decrease in value indicates a decrease in skin roughness when Baseline and 3 months post-treatment are compared.

5. BTC 2000 Measurements- Energy Absorption [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) and 3 month post treatment ]

   BTC-2000™ Features: High-Resolution Target Laser (µm) and negative pressure (mmHg & mbar)

   This procedure was performed 4-6 cm from the left lateral neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

   BTC 2000 was used to measure energy absorption of the skin.

   The units for these measurements are Energy absorption - mmHg*mm

   Decrease in values for energy absorption will be seen as Improvement

6. BTC 2000 Measurements for Skin Elasticity [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) and 3 month post treatment ]

   BTC-2000™ Features: High-Resolution Target Laser (µm) and negative pressure (mmHg & mbar)

   This procedure was performed 4-6 cm from the left lateral neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

   BTC 2000 was used to measure Elasticity values of the skin.

   The units for these measurements are in % of the distance traveled in µm.

   A decrease case in values for elasticity will be seen as an improvement after the treatments.

7. BTC 2000 Measurements for Skin Deformations [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) and 3 month post treatment ]

   BTC-2000™ Features: High-Resolution Target Laser (µm) and negative pressure (mmHg & mbar)

   This procedure was performed 4-6 cm from the left lateral neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

   BTC 2000 was used to measure viscoelastic deformation, elastic deformation, and ultimate deformation values of the skin.

   The units for these measurements are in mm.

   A Decrease in values for these deformations will be seen as an Improvement.

8. BTC 2000 Measurements for Stiffness [ Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) and 3 month post treatment ]

   BTC-2000™ Features: High-Resolution Target Laser (µm) and negative pressure (mmHg & mbar)

   This procedure was performed 4-6 cm from the left lateral neck along the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

   BTC 2000 was used for stiffness. Stiffness is measure in mmHg/mm and an increase in values of BTC measurements for stiffness would be seen as an improvement upon treatment.

9. Patient Satisfaction Questionnaires [ Time Frame: 1 month post treatment ]
   Subjects completed a Sponsor-provided questionnaire regarding improvement in wrinkles, satisfaction with the treatment, and willingness to recommend the treatment to friends and family members
10. Ultrasound Measurements [ Time Frame: Day 1, 3 Months post treatment. ]
    Ultrasound measurements were performed using a 75 MHz ultrasonic transducer interfaced to a DUB 6100 OEM System (Taberna Pro Medicum, Lüneburg, Germany). Density and skin thickness measurements were obtained from the scans and increases in these values suggest a thickening of the epidermal and dermal tissue.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 35 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

At least 20% of subjects will have Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI Individuals who grade a 4 or higher on the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale Individuals that desire correction of their wrinkles Individuals willing to withhold aesthetic therapies to the areas of the neck being treated or judged to potentially impact results by the Investigator.

Women of childbearing potential agree to take a urine pregnancy test at the Baseline visit and 6-months post-treatment or when deemed by Investigator and/or Sponsor. This may be changed to one monthly pregnancy test at the Sponsor's discretion. Women who are of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test result and must not be lactating at the baseline visit. Women must be willing and able to use an acceptable method of birth control (e.g. barrier methods used with a spermicidal agent, hormonal methods, IUD, surgical sterilization, abstinence) during the study. Women will not be considered of childbearing potential if one of the following conditions is documented on the medical history:

• Postmenopausal for at least 12 months prior to the study;
• Without a uterus and/or both ovaries;
• Bilateral tubal ligation at least 6 months prior to study enrollment. Women of child bearing potential agree to take a urine pregnancy test at the Baseline visit and 6-months post-treatment or when deemed by Investigator and/or Sponsor. This may be changed to one month pregnancy test at the Sponsor's discretion. Women who are of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test result and must not be lactating at the baseline visit. Women must be willing and able to use an acceptable method of birth control (e.g. barrier methods used with a spermicidal agent, hormonal methods, IUD, surgical sterilization, abstinence) during the study. Women will not be considered of childbearing potential if one of the following conditions is documented on the medical history:
• Postmenopausal for at least 12 months prior to the study;
• Without a uterus and/or both ovaries;
• Bilateral tubal ligation at least 6 months prior to study enrollment.

Individuals of child-bearing potential who use an acceptable method of contraception throughout the study. Acceptable methods of birth control include:

1. Established use of hormonal methods of contraception (oral, injected, implanted, patch, or vaginal ring).
2. Barrier methods of contraception with spermicide: condom or occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps) with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/suppository.
3. Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS)
4. Surgical sterilization (e.g., vasectomy that has been confirmed effective by sperm count check, tubal occlusion, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy/oophorectomy)

5. Abstinence from heterosexual intercourse, when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.

   • Individuals that are willing to provide written informed consent and are able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
   • Individuals willing to sign a photography release.
   • Willingness to cooperate and participate by following study requirements (including those outlined in section 5.5) for the duration of the study and to report any changes in health status or medications, adverse event symptoms, or reactions immediately.

   Exclusion Criteria:

   • Individuals diagnosed with known allergies to facial or general skincare products.
   • Individuals who have the presence of an active systemic or local skin disease that may affect wound healing.
   • Individuals who have severe solar elastosis.
   • Individuals with sensitivity to topical lidocaine.
   • Individuals who have physical or psychological conditions unacceptable to the Investigator.
   • Individuals who have a recent history of significant trauma to the areas to be treated (< 6 months).
   • Individuals who have significant scarring, other than acne scars, in the area(s) to be treated.
   • Individuals who have severe or cystic active and clinically significant acne on the area(s) to be treated. Clinically significant acne is defined as a subject who has > 5 active inflammatory acne lesions (including acne conglobate, nodules, or cysts) in either the right or left treatment area.
   • Individuals who have a recent or current history of inflammatory skin disease, infection, cancerous/pre-cancerous lesion, unhealed wound or clinically significant acne in the proposed treatment areas. Individuals who have a history of systemic granulomatous diseases, active or inactive, (e.g. Sarcoid, Wegeners, TB, etc.) or connective tissue diseases (e.g. lupus, dermatomyositis, etc.).
   • Individuals who currently have or have a history of hypertrophic scars or keloid scars.
   • Individuals who currently have cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions in the areas to be treated and/or with a history of skin cancer.
   • Individuals who have the inability to understand instructions or to give informed consent.
   • Individuals who have had microdermabrasion or glycolic acid treatment to the treatment area(s) within 1 month prior to study participation or who will have this treatment during the study.
   • Individuals who have a history of chronic drug or alcohol abuse.
   • Individuals undergoing concurrent therapy that, in the Investigator's opinion, would interfere with the evaluation of the safety or efficacy of the study device.
   • Individuals who, in the Investigator's opinion, have a history of poor cooperation, noncompliance with medical treatment, or unreliability.
   • Individuals who are current smokers or have smoked in the last 5 years.

   • Individuals who have a history of the following cosmetic treatments in the area(s) to be treated:

     • Skin tightening procedure within the past year;

     • Injectable filler of any type within the past:

       • 12 months for Hyaluronic acid fillers (e.g. Restylane)
       • 12 months for Ca Hydroxyapatite fillers (e.g. Radiesse)
       • 24 months for Poly-L-Lactic acid fillers (e.g. Sculptra)
       • Ever for permanent fillers (e.g. Silicone, ArteFill)
     • Neurotoxins within the past 3 months;
     • Ablative resurfacing laser treatment;
     • Non-ablative, rejuvenating laser or light treatment within the past 6 months;
     • Surgical dermabrasion or deep facial peels;
     • Had a chemical peel, dermabrasion, non-ablative laser, or fractional laser resurfacing of the neck within 4 weeks

   • Individuals with a history of using the following prescription medications:

     • Accutane or other systemic retinoids within the past 6 months;
     • Topical Retinoids within the past 2 weeks;
     • Prescription-strength skin lightening devices (e.g. hydroquinone, tretinoin, AHA, BHA and polyhydroxy acids, 4-hydroxyanisole alone or in combination with tretinoin, etc.) within 4 months;
     • Any anti-wrinkle, skin lightening devices, or any other device or topical or systemic medication is known to affect skin aging or dyschromia (devices containing alpha/beta/poly-hydroxy acids, vitamin C, soy, Q-10, hydroquinone; systemic or licorice extract (topically), Tego® Cosmo C250, Giga white, lemon juice extract (topically), Emblica extract, etc.) within 2 weeks;
     • Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulants (Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix, chronic NSAID use); and/or
     • Psychiatric drugs that in the Investigator's opinion would impair the subject from understanding the protocol requirements or understanding and signing the informed consent.
   • Individuals who are nursing, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant during the study according to the subject self-report.
   • Individuals having a health condition and/or pre-existing or dormant dermatologic disease on the face or body (e.g., psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, vitiligo, hyper or hypo-skin pigmentation conditions such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that the Investigator or designee deems inappropriate for participation or could interfere with the outcome of the study.
   • Individuals with a history of immunosuppression/immune deficiency disorders (including HIV infection or AIDS) or currently using immunosuppressive medications (e.g., azathioprine, belimumab, cyclophosphamide, Enbrel, Imuran, Humira, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, prednisone, Remicade, Stelara.) and/or radiation as determined by study documentation.
   • Individuals with uncontrolled diseases such as asthma, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, medically significant hypertension or hypothyroidism. Individuals having multiple health conditions may be excluded from participation even if the conditions are controlled by diet, medication, etc.
   • Individuals with any planned surgeries, overnight hospitalization, and/or invasive medical procedures during the course of the study.
   • Individuals who are currently participating in any other study involving the use of investigational devices or drugs or have participated in any clinical trial at UT Southwestern or at another research facility or doctor's office within 4 weeks prior to inclusion into the study.
   • Individuals who have an observable suntan, nevi, excessive hair, etc. or other dermal conditions on the neck that might influence the test results in the opinion of the Investigator or designee.
   • Individuals who have any condition, which in the opinion of the Investigator makes the patient unable to complete the study per protocol (e.g. patients not likely to avoid other facial cosmetic treatments; patients not likely to stay in the study for its duration because of other commitments, concomitant conditions, or past history; patients anticipated to be unreliable, or patients who have a concomitant condition that may develop symptoms that might confuse or confound study treatments or assessments).
   • Individuals who started hormone replacement therapies (HRT) or hormones for birth control less than 3 months prior to study entry or who plan on starting, stopping, or changing doses of HRT or hormones for birth control during the study.

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, Texas

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390-9132

Sponsors and Collaborators

Bellus Medical, LLC

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Kenkel, MD; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

  Study Documents (Full-Text)

Documents provided by Bellus Medical, LLC:

Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan  [PDF] September 25, 2019

More Information

• Responsible Party: Bellus Medical, LLC
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03803059
• Other Study ID Numbers: Bellmed002
• First Posted: January 14, 2019
• Results First Posted: December 1, 2021
• Last Update Posted: December 1, 2021
• Last Verified: July 2021

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: Yes
• Device Product Not Approved or Cleared by U.S. FDA: Yes
• Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: Yes