Efficacy of Fractional Co2 Laser and Human Lyophilized Growth Factors in the Treatment of Stretch Marks: A Clinical and Histopathological Study

Background Striae distensae are a well-recognized, common skin condition that rarely causes any significant medical problems but are often a significant source of distress to those affected. The natural evolution of striae is from red or purple, raised wavy lesions (striae rubra) to white atrophic lesions with wrinkly surface (striae alba). Objectives The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser alone or combined with lyophilized growth factors or to its efficacy alone in the treatment of striae distensae. Patients and Methods The present study included 20 female patients with SD; they were all recruited from Dermatology Outpatient Clinic, Ain Shams University from may 2017 to march 2018. An informed consent for treatment, photography and punch biopsy was taken before enrollment and the study was approved by Dermatology Research Ethical Committee. Results The present study showed statistically significant clinical and histopathological improvement in areas A and B after treatment. This impronment was in rubra more than alba. Area C showed no clinical and histopathological improvement. Area B showed better results than area A.We propose that LGF alone did not show clinical or histopathologiacl improvement. Treatment was tolerated well by all patients where side effects were minimal in the form of transient PIH that resolved after using bleaching creams. There was no statistically sgnificant difference in the incidence of PIH between areas A& B. Conclusion We concluded that fractional CO2 alone is effective in treatment of SD especially stria rubra in skin type III and IV.