Scratch pad trick may improve surgical scars

NCT ID NCT07213921

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether lightly sanding the skin edges during Mohs surgery (a type of skin cancer removal) can improve how scars look after healing. Thirty adults having facial or neck surgery will have half their scar treated with dermabrasion and the other half left as standard. Blinded reviewers and patients will rate scar appearance at 3 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: dermabrasion (procedure using an electrocautery scratch pad)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, no-cost way to improve scar appearance after Mohs surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study with only 30 participants. The improvement may be minimal or not noticeable, and results may not apply to all scars.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

severe cutaneous adverse reaction

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

WOUND HEAL

Contacts and locations

Locations

UW Health Mohs Surgery Clinic

Madison, Wisconsin, 53717, United States

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