Zinc Oxide Versus Petrolatum Following Skin Surgery

RecruitingEarly phase 1Healthy volunteers welcome

Zinc Oxide Versus Petrolatum Following Skin Surgery: A Head-to-head, Prospective, Split-scar Study

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥ 18 years of age
2. Linear closure, non-scalp site
3. ≥ 4.5 cm in length (final incision/closure length)
4. End to end symmetry (surgical site is not grossly asymmetric from end to end)
5. Grossly uninfected site

Exclusion Criteria:

1. ≤ 18 years
2. Visibly asymmetric linear scar
3. Grossly infected surgical site
4. History of allergy to topical zinc oxide

About the study

Patients undergoing routine surgery in the Department of Dermatology for any indication on non-scalp skin and closed in linear fashion with scar greater than or equal to 4.5cm in length will be invited to participate in this split scar, head to head study comparing zinc oxide and petrolatum. Patients will apply respective ointments to each half of scar daily for one month and maintain a log of these activities. They will be seen at 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months post-operatively for photographic scar assessment and to complete the patient portion of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), a quantitative objective assessment of scar appearance. Trained observers (board-certified dermatologists) will score the observer portion of the scale. POSAS outcomes, post-operative infections, linear density of epidermal seal will be assessed at the 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months post-operative periods and compared between the two groups. Participants will have parking validated for all visits and upon completion of all portions of the study will receive a standardized skin care gift bag containing samples for hypoallergenic skin care products (washes, moisturizers, etc.).

What is being tested

Topical zinc oxide vs. petrolatum post-surgical scars (drug)

Sponsor: Melissa Pugliano-Mauro · Participants: 30 · Started: Sep 1, 2021

Contact the study team

Caroline Kettering, MD · Phone: 4126474200

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT03561376

Locations in the U.S.

Pennsylvania

UPMC Dermatology St. Margaret, Pittsburgh, PA

Conditions

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.