Methods and compositions are disclosed for improving the wound healing process and increasing collagen synthesis following laser induced thermal injury. The method comprises delivering prodrugs to a target site before the target site is injured and taking advantage of those enzymes that are physiologically-expressed to promote wound healing to convert the prodrugs to active drugs. The claimed invention has the advantage of the prodrugs being readily available to immediately participate in the wound healing process, but not have any negative side-effects of the active drug being present before injury occurs.