Laser hair removal to prevent pilonidal disease from coming back in young people with darker skin
Pilot Trial Assessing the Effectiveness of Laser Hair Depilation on Pilonidal Disease Recurrence in Patients With Darker Skin Color
NA · Nemours Children's Clinic · NCT06406621
This project will test whether laser hair removal of the buttock crease helps prevent pilonidal disease from returning in teens and young adults with darker skin tones.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 10 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Nemours Children's Clinic (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Wilmington, Delaware) |
| Trial ID | NCT06406621 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a pilot randomized trial enrolling patients aged 10–21 with pilonidal disease and Fitzpatrick skin types IV–VI to test laser hair depilation of the gluteal cleft. Participants receive a series of laser treatments and are followed for recurrence and safety compared with usual care. The single-center trial is conducted at Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware and excludes those with photosensitivity or active inflammation until it resolves. Primary outcomes include disease recurrence and tolerability of laser depilation in darker skin types.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 10–21 with a diagnosis of pilonidal disease, Fitzpatrick skin type IV–VI, no history of photosensitivity, and no active inflamed sinus at enrollment.
Not a fit: Patients with active inflamed pilonidal sinuses until healed, a history of photosensitivity, adults older than 21, or those who cannot attend repeated clinic visits are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, laser depilation could lower recurrence of pilonidal disease, reduce repeat antibiotics or surgeries, and improve patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous randomized trials in broader populations have shown laser depilation can substantially reduce one-year recurrence (for example, from ~33% to ~10%), but effects specifically in darker-skinned patients remain underexplored.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 10-21 years * Diagnosis of pilonidal disease * Fitzpatrick skin type IV, V, or VI Exclusion Criteria: * History of photosensitivity * Actively inflamed pilonidal sinus (will be offered enrollment upon resolution).
Where this trial is running
Wilmington, Delaware
- Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware — Wilmington, Delaware, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Peter C Minneci — Nemours Children's Health Delaware Valley
- Study coordinator: Peter Minneci, MD
- Email: peter.minneci@nemours.org
- Phone: 302-333-9549
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Pilonidal Disease, laser hair depilation, pilonidal