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Efficacy and Tolerability of a Facial Serum Before and After Ablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Chinese Women

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Ablative fractional CO 2 laser treatment (AFCO 2 ) can cause immediate erythema, pain, and complications such as prolonged erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This study investigated whether the use of a serum before and after AFCO 2 could accelerate skin recovery and relieve complications. This randomized controlled trial included 72 healthy Chinese women with acne scars who intended to undergo AFCO 2 ; 64 (32 in each group) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The participants in the serum group applied the study serum for 2 weeks in the preoperative (D0 and D14) and post-treatment stages (D32 and D39), with additional product usage of standard products, including standard cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, for all participants (both groups). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, and skin qualities were evaluated throughout the entire study. Clinical assessment was conducted at D0 (baseline and time immediately after product application); D14; D15 (directly after procedure treatment); D16, D18, D22, and D25 (1 day, 3 days, 7 and 10 days after CO 2 laser treatment); and during the post-treatment period at D32 and D39 (1 and 2 weeks after self-recovery). TEWL improvement was significantly better in the serum group than in the control group throughout the study ( p < 0.001), including pre-treatment ( p = 0.043), self-recovery (D15–D31) ( p < 0.001), and post-treatment ( p = 0.027) stages. In the post-treatment stage, the improvement in skin hydration with the serum was significantly better than in the control group ( p < 0.001). The serum group showed significantly better improvements in smoothness ( p = 0.001), brightness ( p = 0.016), and overall healthy appearance ( p = 0.001) compared with controls. Peri-AFCO 2 application of the serum can facilitate faster postoperative recovery and can help reduce postoperative erythema and discomfort with satisfying tolerance. The use of the serum can enhance effectiveness and satisfaction with AFCO 2 treatment. This trial was retrospectively registered on 30 June 2025: ISRCTN identifier ISRCTN60519611.

Source: Dermatology and Therapy

DOI: 10.1007/s13555-025-01531-x