A January 2026 split-face trial found vitamin C plus vitamin E plus ferulic acid serum sped healing after ablative fractional CO2 laser for atrophic acne scars. For people with rolling scars, broad shallow wavy depressions from tethering and volume loss, the serum side showed faster scab loss with less redness and darkening.
Fractional CO2 laser uses tiny columns of heat injury to trigger remodeling. The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists the study by Shi, Xu and Zhang as a randomized, investigator-blinded, split-face controlled trial, described in the January 2026 PubMed record.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What did the 2026 trial test?
- Why does this matter for rolling scars?
- How much faster was healing?
- What should you ask before trying it?
What did the 2026 trial test?
Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars received the same laser on both sides of the face. Researchers then applied CE Ferulic serum to one side and normal saline to the other, according to the NIH full text.
The design was registered as ChiCTR2300078214. Prespecified endpoints included scab detachment, erythema index, melanin index, hydration, transepidermal water loss, edema and satisfaction, as summarized by Archyde.
Why does this matter for rolling scars?
Rolling scars are broad depressions over 4 mm wide with sloping wavy edges. They differ from narrow deep icepick scars and sharp-edged boxcar scars, as described in the scar classification review.
Fractional CO2 laser works best for rolling and shallow boxcar scars. It responds poorly for deep narrow icepick scars, so people with rolling scars are the relevant beneficiaries of better post-laser healing, according to the Veeva CTV trial record summary.
How much faster was healing?
At day 7, complete scab detachment occurred on 60.9% of serum-treated sides versus 34.4% of saline-treated sides. The difference indicates faster re-epithelialization, reported by ConsultantLive in ConsultantLive reporting the results.
Redness and pigment change also favored serum. Erythema index and melanin index reductions were significantly greater on the serum side at days 3, 7 and 14. Less redness in the first two weeks matters because prolonged redness often precedes post-inflammatory darkening.
What should you ask before trying it?
The benefit comes from one brand in one setting. L'Oreal funded the study and SkinCeuticals supplied the CE Ferulic serum in a Chinese cohort with short follow-up, which limits generalizability, noted in the NIH funding disclosure. Bring these checks to a dermatologist treating rolling scars:.
- Is my scarring mainly rolling or shallow boxcar rather than icepick?
- Is fractional CO2 appropriate for my skin tone and pigment risk?
- Which post-procedure product, timing and sun protection will you use?
- How will we track redness, pigment change and healing at days 3, 7 and 14?
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