A January 2026 split-face trial found vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid serum sped early healing after ablative fractional CO2 laser for pitted acne scars. For people with skin of color, that means faster scab loss and calmer early redness, not proof of better long-term scars. Atrophic scars are indented scars left after inflamed acne heals. Ablative fractional CO2 laser is a resurfacing treatment that creates tiny grid wounds to trigger repair.
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?
- What improved in the first two weeks?
- Why should brown skin read carefully?
- How should you protect healing skin?
What did the 2026 trial test?
The trial enrolled 64 adults ages 18 to 50 in China with moderate-to-severe atrophic facial acne scars. One cheek received CE Ferulic immediately after laser and the other received normal saline for 14 days, according to the ConsultantLive report.
CE Ferulic is a topical serum that pairs 15 percent L-ascorbic acid with 1 percent alpha-tocopherol and ferulic acid. The design compared the same person, same laser, and same time frame. That split-face setup isolates the serum effect during early wound healing.
What improved in the first two weeks?
At day 7, complete scab detachment occurred on 39 of 64 antioxidant-treated sides and 22 saline sides. The antioxidant sides also showed lower redness and melanin readings plus better hydration, according to the full trial record in PubMed Central.
An earlier laser study points the same way. The Henry Ford Health record of Waibel and colleagues links the serum to less visible redness on days 3 and 5 and higher basic fibroblast growth factor on day 5. That growth signal supports new tissue repair.
Why should brown skin read carefully?
All analyzed patients had Fitzpatrick type IV skin. Follow-up lasted only 14 days. The main measures tracked scabs and early healing, not lasting scar depth or tone.
That gap matters because laser resurfacing can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dark marks often emerge within weeks after treatment, so a lower melanin reading at day 7 does not prove lasting pigment safety, according to the Skin Therapy Letter review. Readers with type V and VI skin have even less direct evidence.
How should you protect healing skin?
Keep sunscreen central and treat antioxidants as helpers. The L'Oreal dermatology summary of earlier photoprotection work found added ferulic acid stabilized C and E and raised protection from about 4-fold to 8-fold against solar-simulated light.
That added defense does not replace sunscreen after laser. Dermatologists advise broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen SPF 30 or higher plus shade, clothing, hat, and sunglasses, according to American Academy of Dermatology guidance.
- Apply broad-spectrum water-resistant SPF 30 or higher every morning on healing skin
- Reapply as directed after sweat, wiping, or long outdoor time
- Seek shade, wear protective clothing and a wide-brim hat, and use sunglasses
- Ask your dermatologist whether CE Ferulic fits your laser plan and pigment history
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