In 2026, the studied group was 64 adults aged 18-50 with moderate-to-severe atrophic facial acne scars, the indented scars left after acne heals. The results do not cover children under 18, adults over 50, mild indented scarring, raised hypertrophic or keloid scars, or active-acne cases outside the trial criteria. The trial applied CE Ferulic, a vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid serum, to one cheek and normal saline to the other after ablative fractional CO2 laser. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology report, the work was done in China in adults with moderate-to-severe facial scarring.
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
- Who the 2026 trial enrolled
- What changed on the treated side
- Who was not studied
- Why the findings do not travel far
- What to check before asking about it
Who the 2026 trial enrolled
The trial enrolled 64 adults aged 18-50 with moderate-to-severe atrophic facial acne scars. Each person served as their own comparison, with serum on one cheek and saline on the other. The design was investigator-blinded and split-face controlled.
Enrollment ran over December 2020-January 2021 under registration ChiCTR2300078214, as described in the PMC full text. That structure isolates cheek-to-cheek healing differences after the same laser session. It does not test long-term scar remodeling across clinics or devices.
What changed on the treated side
During post-laser recovery, the CE Ferulic side healed faster than saline. Redness and melanin levels were lower, while hydration and barrier function were better preserved. Those measures matter after ablative fractional CO2 laser because redness, darkening, dryness and barrier disruption drive early downtime.
The PubMed abstract reports the same pattern of faster healing with less erythema and melanin. The follow-up focused on healing and pigmentation, not final scar depth months later. Readers should treat it as recovery support, not proof of permanent scar removal.
Who was not studied
The trial criteria leave out several common groups. Children under 18 and adults over 50 were not enrolled. People with mild atrophic scarring were also outside the stated range.
So were people with hypertrophic or keloid scars, the raised rather than indented type. Active-acne populations outside the stated criteria were not established by this group either. A different age, scar shape or acne status means a different risk and response profile.
Why the findings do not travel far
The cohort came from one country, China, and used one ablative fractional CO2 protocol. The comparator was normal saline rather than a matched serum base without actives. Follow-up was short and centered on healing and pigmentation.
That narrow setup limits direct use for other lasers, other skin-care bases or longer scar outcomes. An earlier U.S. trial is often mentioned alongside it, but it studied photodamage rather than atrophic acne scars. It enrolled 15 healthy men and women aged 30-55 and used vehicle control.
What to check before asking about it
Scar type comes first because indented and raised scars follow different care paths. Age range, laser type and darkening risk also affect whether the 2026 setup resembles a reader.
Bring the exact scar diagnosis, current acne activity and prior darkening after injury or procedures. People with atrophic acne scars considering post-laser antioxidants should confirm scar type, age eligibility, laser type and hyperpigmentation risk with their dermatologist rather than assuming benefit.
- Confirm atrophic versus hypertrophic or keloid scar type
- Confirm age fit with the 18-50 studied range
- Confirm ablative fractional CO2 laser versus another device
- Confirm post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk and aftercare with a dermatologist
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