You may qualify for a RESEARCH STUDY to investigate a new surgical procedure developed to improve skin grafting. Some of the side effects include pain, during the procedure, and redness, tenderness, and swelling after the procedure.

This is a study that aims to investigate the healing process in treated skin after multiple biopsies.

If you are a healthy volunteer ages 18 to 50 years old:
  *  Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery scheduled by a Plastic Surgeon Photos,
  *  questionnaires Skin
  *  biopsies will be taken
  *  7 study visits over 8 weeks
  *  Not pregnant or breast feeding
  *  Up to $800 remuneration

If interested, please e-mail: (617) 724-4937 and (617) 724-5329.

You may qualify for a research study at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusettts General Hospital investigating the efficacy of laser tattoo removal techniques.

•   *  You are an adult between the ages of 18 and 50
•   *  Your tattoo is not on your neck or face
•   *  The size of your tattoo is bigger than a matchbook and smaller than a
        piece of paper

Participants can expect significant lightening of a tattoo.

If interested, please contact:
Kimberli Bell: (617) 724-4937

You may qualify for a RESEARCH STUDY to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a treatment that may improve the hardening or fibrosis associated with chronic radiation injury using a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Fractional laser is widely used to treat scars, and is approved by the FDA for treating scars. This procedure involves using a laser to create tiny holes on the skin that will heal in about 5-7 days. It has a few minor side effects that are most often temporary. An important question being tested in this study is whether this treatment can improve the skin hardening associated with chronic radiation injury.

•   *  Healthy males and females between 18 and 70 years of age with radiation-induced fibrosis for at least one year
    *  Having suitable areas of treatment: All wounds in the area of interest must be closed for at least two months. The scars must be stable for a period of 3 months
    *  Able and willing to comply with all visit, treatment and evaluation schedules and requirements
    *  Able to understand and provide written informed consent
    *  Photos, measurements of the color of the scar at enrollment and treatment with laser. There will be a treated and non-treated area. Subject will be offered the best treatment at end of study
    *  Up to 10 study visits, less than 1 hour each, over two years period
    *  Up to $445 (with 2 small skin biopsies) or $295 (without) in compensation for time and travel (parking sticker will also be provided)
    *  The study will be carried out at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine's Clinical Research Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital

For more information, please contact:
or Kimberli Bell at (617) 724-4937

Your baby may qualify for a RESEARCH STUDY comparing the safety and efficacy of no treatment with two treatments that may prevent the growth of very early infantile hemangiomas – pulsed-dye laser and topical treatment with timolol maleate 0.5% ophthalmic solution. Currently, the most common treatment for hemangiomas is watchful waiting. But, pulsed-dye laser is widely used in children and is approved by the FDA for treating hemangiomas. This procedure has a few minor side effects that are most often temporary. Timolol is used frequently for the treatment of childhood glaucoma with few side effects, and has been shown to be effective in treating cases of hemangiomas in infants. It is not yet an approved treatment for hemangiomas. An important question being tested in this study is whether these treatments can prevent hemangiomas from growing, when used very early after the birth of your child.

To qualify, your infant should:
  *  Be less than 4 months of age, male or female
  *  Have one or more superficial hemangiomas in the very early stage
  *  Have no severe heart, asthma or lung disease
  *  Not be on any other treatment for the hemangioma

Study requirements include:
  *  Photos, measurements, and treatment with either pulsed-dye laser or timolol or no treatment
  *  Up to 13 study visits, less than 1 hour each, over two years period
  *  Up to $385 in compensation for time and travel (parking sticker will also be provided)

For more information, please email or call (617) 724-4937.

Institution – MGH - Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; BWH - Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; NWH, Newton, MA; North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA; Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston, MA; Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA; MIT, Cambridge, MA; Massachusetts General Hospital - East, Charlestown, MA; MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA
Principal Investigator – Richard R Anderson, MD

Enrollment Information
For further information about enrolling a patient in this trial, contact the person below.
Name –
Phone – 617-724-4937

You may qualify for a RESEARCH STUDY using an FDA-approved laser procedure that may improve the appearance and feel of your scar. Some of the side effects include pain, burning sensation during the procedure, and redness, tenderness, and swelling after the procedure.

This is a study that aims to investigate genetic activity in treated versus untreated scars.

If you are a healthy female ages 18 to 50 years old:
Cesarean section scar
Photos, questionnaires
Skin biopsies will be asked
4 study visits over 10 weeks
Not pregnant

More information can be found at:
http://www2.massgeneral.org/wellman/
Please e-mail: or
Or call: (617) 724-4937 or (617) 724-5329

Acne on your back or face?

Clinical Study Unit at Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital is seeking for Healthy Volunteers for an Acne study.

Healthy volunteer study

Do you have ACNE ON YOUR BACK or ON YOUR FACE?

You may qualify for a RESEARCH STUDY of a use of an investigational light-based treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a drug called Levulan^® followed by a light treatment (ALA-PDT). Levulan^® is FDA-approved drug for precursors of skin cancer, called actinic keratosis (AK) (sun-related pre-cancer in the skin) but not for acne treatment. Levulan^® is absorbed by normal skin surrounding the oil glands.  Therefore, this procedure also has some side effects.  Some of the side effects include pain, burning sensation during the procedure, and redness, tenderness, and swelling after the procedure.

This is a study that will compare “ALA-PDT” for acne versus a new investigational method, called “i-PDT”. i-PDT is intended to reduce side-effects of ALA-PDT treatment. i-PDT is also not FDA-approved for acne treatment.

If you are a healthy male/female ages 18 to 50 years old
Moderate/Severe acne
Difficult to treat acne
Photos, questionnaires and skin oil measurements
Skin biopsies (samples) may be asked
12 study visits over 36 weeks
Not pregnant or breast feeding
Up to $415 in compensation for time and travel

For more information, please e-mail:
or call (617) 724-5329.