The 2026 evidence covers Chinese adults ages 18 to 50 with moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars, or pitted scars from tissue loss, treated with ablative fractional CO2 laser. It does not cover mild scars, raised hypertrophic or keloid scars, non-Chinese groups, or people unable to have ablative laser.
The test compared vitamin C, vitamin E plus ferulic acid serum on one cheek-side with normal saline on the other side, started right after laser and used for 14 days. The U.S. National Library of Medicine PubMed record describes it as a January 2026 randomized, investigator-blinded, split-face trial, as detailed in the PubMed trial 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 was tested after laser?
- Who was included?
- Who was not studied?
- How should people with pitted scars use this result?
What was tested after laser?
Shi, Xu and Zhang tested topical CE Ferulic as an add-on to ablative fractional CO2 laser for atrophic acne scars. One side received antioxidant serum and the matching side received saline, so healing could be compared in the same person.
The authors described it as the first randomized, investigator-blinded, split-face, placebo-controlled trial in China of C+E+ferulic acid for this use, according to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology via Wiley Online Library. The focus was short-term recovery after laser, not serum alone for old scars. The CE Ferulic side showed faster wound healing, greater reduction in erythema index and melanin index, and better hydration and barrier maintenance than saline, according to the NIH PubMed Central full trial text, reported in the full trial text.
Who was included?
The trial enrolled Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars, ages 18 to 50. Medical Dialogues reports the serum was applied to one cheek-side and saline to the other immediately after laser for 14 days, as summarized in the Medical Dialogues report.
Readers can check fit with this list: If all four fit, the healing results are most relevant. If one does not fit, the trial offers less guidance.
- Chinese adult, age 18 to 50
- moderate-to-severe pitted acne scars
- able to receive ablative fractional CO2 laser
- able to follow 14 days of aftercare on both sides of the face
Who was not studied?
People without moderate-to-severe atrophic scars were not studied. Non-Chinese populations were not studied. People with hypertrophic or keloid scars were not studied. People unable to undergo ablative CO2 laser were also outside the trial.
HCPLive reporting on Zhang et al. lists these gaps as limits on generalizability, noted in the HCPLive report. That matters because scar shape, skin tone, healing tendency, and laser setting affect redness and dark marks. A result on one cheek after laser does not predict results for raised scars, other ancestries, or serum without laser.
How should people with pitted scars use this result?
Treat the finding as support for short-term post-laser healing and lower hyperpigmentation risk, not proof of long-term scar remodeling. The NIH PubMed Central full trial text supports healing, erythema, melanin, hydration, and barrier outcomes in the 14-day window.
The study was registered as ChiCTR2300078214, funded by L'Oreal, with CE Ferulic supplied by SkinCeuticals Inc., indicating industry sponsorship. Ask a dermatologist whether your scars are atrophic and moderate-to-severe, whether ablative fractional CO2 laser suits your skin, and what post-procedure care they advise.
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