Which numbing cream eases laser pain best? new study puts two top contenders to the test
NCT ID NCT02427724
First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests two different numbing creams—one with lidocaine/prilocaine and another with lidocaine/tetracaine—against a placebo to see which works best for pain during Q-switched 532nm laser treatment for age spots (lentigines) and skin rejuvenation. Women aged 25 to 65 with mild to moderate sun damage will have each cream applied to different areas of their face or body before laser treatment. They will rate their pain on a 0-to-10 scale after each area is treated, helping researchers find the most effective option for comfort.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream and lidocaine 7%/tetracaine 7% cream
- What this could lead to
- If one cream works better, it could make laser skin treatments less painful for people with age spots or sun damage.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early study with only 48 women, so results may not apply to everyone. Pain relief varies by person, and both creams can cause skin reactions.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States