Synergistic Effects of Fractional CO2 Laser and Recombinant Humanized Type III Collagen in Atrophic Acne Scar Treatment: Activation of MAPK Pathway and Enhanced Collagen Remodeling

This study on 18 patients explored the effects of combining fractional CO2 laser (FCL) with recombinant humanized type III collagen (rhCol III) for treating atrophic acne scars. The combination treatment significantly improved scar appearance, with ECCA scores decreasing more in the FCL + rhCol III group compared to FCL alone. The Global Scar Score (GSS) also showed greater reduction in the combination group. The treatment was particularly effective for V-shaped and U-shaped scars, enhancing collagen remodeling and activating the MAPK signaling pathway. Despite promising results, the study's small scale and lack of long-term follow-up suggest the need for further research.