Compared with fractional CO₂ laser therapy alone, the combination therapy significantly reduced ECCA scores by a mean of 11. The combination therapy demonstrated advantages in improving the durations of crust formation. 02), was significantly lower in the combination therapy group.
Relevant if you're working with centella for acne and aging.
If you're targeting acne, this research supports adding centella to your AM/PM routine. Effective concentration range: 95% based on this study. Timeline to expect: 1 weeks based on study duration.
Translated from this study's findings, not a personal prescription. Pair with your existing protocol and your practitioner's guidance.
1. Lasers Med Sci. 2026 May 22;41(1):97. doi: 10.1007/s10103-026-04881-w. Efficacy and safety of recombinant human epidermal growth factor combined with fractional carbon dioxide laser for facial atrophic acne scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Zhou S(1), Guo C(1), Zhai J(2), Zhang Y(3).
1. Lasers Med Sci. 2026 May 22;41(1):97. doi: 10.1007/s10103-026-04881-w. Efficacy and safety of recombinant human epidermal growth factor combined with fractional carbon dioxide laser for facial atrophic acne scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Zhou S(1), Guo C(1), Zhai J(2), Zhang Y(3). Author information: (1)Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China. (2)School of Public Health, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, tianjin, China. (3)Department of Dermatovenereology, Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, tianjin, China. niuniuzy7375@aliyun.com. BACKGROUND: The combination of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy is increasingly used in the treatment of facial atrophic acne scars. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of rhEGF combined with fractional CO2 laser therapy for managing facial atrophic acne scars. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang, SinoMed, and VIP were searched from inception to July 29, 2025. Parallel-group or split-face randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing fractional CO2 laser therapy + rhEGF with fractional CO2 laser therapy for treating atrophic acne scars were considered for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk-of-bias tool. The meta-analysis based on fixed or random effects models was carried out for Echelle d'Evaluation Clinique des Cicatrices d'acne (ECCA) scores, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), etc. It was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024599311). RESULTS: Twelve RCTs involving 1,044 patients were included, and all trials were conducted in China. Follow-up durations across studies ranged from 1 week to 12 months. Compared with fractional CO₂ laser therapy alone, the combination therapy significantly reduced ECCA scores by a mean of 11.14 points (95% CI: -16.82 to -5.45, P = 0.0001) and VSS scores by a mean of 1.54 points (95% CI: -2.55 to -0.54, P = 0.003). The combination therapy demonstrated advantages in improving the durations of crust formation. The incidence of adverse events, particularly hyperpigmentation (RR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.86; P = 0.02), was significantly lower in the combination therapy group. According to the GRADE assessment, the certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate for most outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that rhEGF combined with fractional CO₂ laser therapy may be beneficial for treating atrophic acne scars. However, because of the low to moderate certainty of evidence according to GRADE assessment, more robust, large-scale RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and define optimal treatment parameters. © 2026. The Author(s). DOI: 10.1007/s10103-026-04881-w PMCID: PMC13194242 PMID: 42168448 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Declarations. Ethical approval: This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Informed consent: Not applicable. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.
Original source →Wounds continue to represent a significant public health challenge globally. In recent years, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, a traditional Chinese botanical drug utilized for wound treatment, has garnered increasing research attention. However, the therapeutic efficacy and safety of this natural botanical drug on wound healing remain poorly understood.
Recent preclinical studies have shown that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) plays a critical role in molecular mechanisms of axon degeneration, and reductions in NAD+ levels are associated with axonal degeneration. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a safe and widely available pyridine-nucleoside form of vitamin B3 and is an NAD+ precursor. To investigate if oral supplementation of synthetic NR can act as a therapeutic agent to prevent degeneration of small somatic sensory axons innervating the skin or promote regeneration of these same fibers in humans, we utilized a validated experimental model of cutaneous nerve degeneration and regeneration and conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blinded Phase 2 study.
Friedreich's ataxia is a rare, chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative condition affecting multiple organ systems, including neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and endocrine systems, and is marked by low cardiopulmonary fitness. We tested the effect of exercise and NAD+ precursor supplementation with nicotinamide riboside, which have each shown benefits in animal and early clinical studies, on cardiopulmonary fitness in individuals with Friedreich's ataxia. This 12-week, outpatient, phase 2, single-site (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA), randomised, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial recruited individuals aged 10-40 years with an ejection fraction of 45% or greater who were able to exercise.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Consult a qualified dermatologist or healthcare professional for medical concerns. Full disclaimer →