Laser zaps sweat glands in tiny hyperhidrosis trial
NCT ID NCT04178161
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early study tested a laser treatment for people with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). The approach used a dye to mark sweat glands, then a special laser to destroy them. Only 2 people were enrolled, and the study was terminated early, so we have very little data on whether it works or is safe.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Laser treatment (fractional erbium laser) combined with methylene blue iontophoresis
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a minimally invasive treatment for excessive sweating without long-term medication.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very early, tiny trial (only 2 participants) that was terminated, so results are extremely limited. The procedure may not be effective or safe for broader use.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
2 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2016
- Finished
-
May 2021
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 65 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects of ages between 18 and 65 years. 2. Subjects with any Fitzpatrick skin type. 3. Subjects who are proficient in the English language. 4. Willingness to participate in the study. 5. Willingness to undergo experimental procedure. 6. Informed consent agreement signed by the subject. 7. Willingness to follow the follow-up schedule. 8. Willingness not to use any other hyperhidrosis treatment to the tests sites during the study period (i.e. deodorant, at-home iontophoresis, Botox, MiraDry). 9. Patient rates symptoms at level "3" or "4" on the hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS, see below). 10. Subject in appropriate physical health to ride a stationary bicycle to the point of eliciting sweat. 11. No known allergy to iodine or potato starch Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy 2. Subjects on systemic treatment for hyperhidrosis, such as anticholinergic drugs (e.g. glycopyrrolate), sedatives or tranquilizers, within the past 8 weeks. 3. Subjects who have undergone surgical excision of sweat glands or sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis. 4. Subjects with an underlying disorder, such as neurologic injury or disease affecting the autonomic system, vascular disorders and metabolic disorders (e.g. hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus) that can produce hyperhidrosis 5. Subjects with a history of coronary artery disease. 6. Subjects with a history of poor compliance or psychosis 7. Subjects taking SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, or MAOIs 8. Subjects with known hypersensitivity to methylene blue 9. Subjects with cardiac pacemaker or any other electrically powered implantable device. 10. Subjects not proficient in the English language. 11. Subject not in appropriate physical health to ride a stationary bicycle to the point of eliciting sweat. 12. Known allergy to iodine or potato starch.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Hyperhidrosis are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Massachusetts General Hospital - Wellman Center for Photomedicine
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.