Antioxidant serum improved early recovery markers after acne-scar laser treatment
In a trial comparing opposite sides of the face, the serum side had more complete scab shedding than the saline side. The study did not assess scar improvement.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
After laser treatment, skin receiving the antioxidant serum showed more complete scab detachment and better measured redness, pigmentation and hydration outcomes than skin receiving saline. This supports an early recovery effect in the studied patients. It does not tell us whether scars improved more, whether benefits persisted, or which application frequency was better.
Follow-up covered only 14 days, and scar improvement was explicitly outside the study's scope. The abstract gives no separate results for the application-frequency subgroups or details of adverse events.
What researchers found
Complete scab detachment
At Day 7 after laser treatment: serum-treated side versus saline-treated side; proportions with complete detachment, p = 0.0026.
A comparison within each person
Each patient received serum on one facial side and saline on the other after the same laser procedure. Investigators assessing the results were blinded, and the analysis focused on local skin recovery measures.
What the skin measurements mean
The serum side had greater reductions in measured redness and pigment indices, alongside better hydration and water-loss results. These measures describe recovery after the procedure; they do not directly measure changes in acne-scar appearance.
The original publication
Reparative Effects of a Topical Antioxidant Serum Containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid After Ablative Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment for Atrophic Acne Scars: A Randomized, Investigator-Blinded, Split-Face, Controlled Trial.
Shi Y, Xu S, Zhang W
J Cosmet Dermatol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41521693
- Record checked
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