The 160-Participant Acne Scar Combination Trial Published in 2026: Questions People With Atrophic Acne Scars Can Ask Before a Procedure

A 2026 trial of 160 people tested calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) filler plus CO2 ablative fractional laser against laser alone for atrophic acne scars. Atrophic scars are depressed scars from collagen loss, and readers can use this result to ask about scar subtype, likely benefit, recovery, and candidacy. The study ran from December 2023 to March 2025 at Dexi Deyi Skin clinic and assigned participants by random numbers to two groups. According to Springer in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, one group received the combination and the other received laser alone in the trial report in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

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.

Official resources:

Read the official guidance from FDA — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
Register through Springer’s official page — Use this page to review requirements and register directly.

What did the trial compare?
Which scar types responded best?
What can you ask about healing and side effects?
Who should ask about candidacy and alternatives?
How far can one clinic study take you?

What did the trial compare?

The trial tested multimodal care against a single method. One group received CaHA injection combined with CO2 ablative fractional laser (AFL). The other group received AFL alone.

The aim was scar remodeling plus healing support. The combination was meant to improve texture and aid post-laser recovery. Ask whether a clinic offers combined filler-plus-laser care or laser alone, and why it recommends one.

Which scar types responded best?

All scar subtypes improved with combined CaHA plus AFL. According to Springer in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, boxcar and rolling scars responded comparably and both responded significantly better than icepick scars in the trial report in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The report points to the largest effect in adults with moderate-to-severe boxcar and rolling scars. Dermatology Times notes that choice among laser, filler, microneedling, or surgery depends on subtype. Ask which subtype dominates your scars, how it was graded, and what result is realistic for that type.

What can you ask about healing and side effects?

The combination both supported scar remodeling and eased post-laser recovery by reducing adverse events. That matters because laser resurfacing still causes downtime and aftercare.

Ask what healing looked like for combination patients in that practice. The FDA states medical-laser surgery risks include incomplete treatment, pain, infection, bleeding, scarring, and skin-color changes on the FDA medical-laser risks page. Use that list to guide questions:.

What is my risk of dark marks, light marks, or incomplete improvement?
How many days of redness, swelling, or wound care should I expect?
Do I need infection prophylaxis, pigment precautions, or sun avoidance?
Who handles aftercare and urgent problems after hours?

Who should ask about candidacy and alternatives?

Candidacy starts with scar type and skin state. An American Academy of Dermatology expert summary via NewsWise says microneedling-based combination care is often deferred with active acne, skin infection, or keloid history. It also urges heat and pigment caution in darker skin.

Bring that history to the visit. Ask whether active breakouts, infection, keloid tendency, or darker phototype changes the plan. Ask what alternative fits your subtype if laser-plus-filler is not right.

How far can one clinic study take you?

The Springer report describes the work as prospective and single-center at one aesthetic clinic. That design limits transfer to other populations, skin phototypes, and long-term durability without multicenter follow-up.

Ask how the clinic tracks its own results by phototype and subtype. Ask how long improvement usually lasts, how many sessions are planned, and what follow-up photos or ratings document change. Bring your subtype, phototype, and healing history to that discussion.