Efficacy of Stromal Vascular Fraction on Acne Scar Correction

Seoul National University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Acne Scars; Acne Scars - Atrophic

Treatments: Other: Normal Saline (NS); Biological: stromal vascular fraction (SVF)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07094958

Acne scar_SVF study

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. SVF is a heterogeneous cell population derived from adipose tissue, containing various regenerative and immunomodulatory cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and pericytes.

In this prospective, randomized, split-face clinical trial, participants with atrophic acne scars will receive SVF injections on one side of the face and normal saline (NS) injections on the contralateral side as a control. Clinical efficacy will be assessed through blinded scar counts, digital imaging, and histological evaluations including epidermal and dermal regenerative markers. The study is designed to investigate whether SVF provides superior clinical improvement compared to placebo.

Enrollment: 16 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 19 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 19 and 45 years
• Presence of bilateral atrophic acne scars (boxcar, rolling, or icepick types) on the face
• Willingness to undergo fat harvesting procedure
• Ability to comply with study visits and follow-up
• Written informed consent obtained

Exclusion criteria

• Active acne lesions on the treatment area
• History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
• Prior treatment for acne scars (e.g., laser, filler, microneedling) within the past 6 months
• History of systemic immunosuppressive therapy within the past 3 months
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Any systemic disease that may interfere with wound healing or safety assessment (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, collagen vascular disease)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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16 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

SVF-treated side

Experimental group

Description:

Intradermal injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on one side of the face.

Treatment:

Biological: stromal vascular fraction (SVF)

Saline-treated side

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Intradermal injection of normal saline (NS) on the contralateral side of the face.

Treatment:

Other: Normal Saline (NS)