Ice Versus EMLA for Pain in Laser Hair Removal

Launched by NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · Dec 12, 2014

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at two different methods to help reduce pain during laser hair removal treatments for women. Specifically, it compares the use of ice packs to a cream called EMLA, which is a mixture of local anesthetics, to see which one works better for controlling pain during the procedure.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be healthy women between the ages of 18 and 65, with specific skin types and dark hair in their underarm area. Importantly, they should not have any allergies to the ingredients in EMLA or certain medical conditions that could affect their participation. Those who join the study can expect to receive either the ice treatment or the EMLA cream during their laser hair removal sessions, and their experiences will help researchers understand the best way to manage pain in this type of procedure.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • 1. Subjects are Caucasian or Asian females.
• • 2. Subjects are 18-65 years old.
• • 3. Subjects have Fitzpatrick skin type I-III and coarse dark axillary hair.
• • 4. Subjects are in good health.
• • 5. Subjects can provide informed consent.
• • 6. Subjects have the willingness and the ability to understand and communicate with the investigators.
• • Exclusion Criteria
• • 1. Subjects who are allergic to lidocaine or prilocaine.
• • 2. History of methemoglobinemia.
• • 3. History of recurrent petechial or purpuric lesions.
• • 4. Bleeding tendency or coagulopathy.
• • 5. History of laser treatment in axilla.
• • 6. History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.
• • 7. Pregnant or lactating or intends to become pregnant in the next 3 months.
• • 8. Active skin disease or skin infection in the treatment area.
• • 9. Subjects with known mental illness or other psychological conditions, such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and cognitive disorders.
• • 10. History of cold urticaria.
• • 11. History of current injury or abnormal skin sensation.
• • 12. Unable to understand the protocol or to give informed consent.
• • 13. Any other condition that would, in the professional opinion of the investigator, potentially affect response or participation in the clinical clinical study, or would pose as an unacceptable risk to subject.