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Efficacy of Microneedling Versus Fractional Non-ablative Laser to Treat Striae Alba: A Randomized Study

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American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Striae distensae (SD), an unsightly cutaneous condition characterized by epidermal atrophy, can affect the quality of life of women.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of a neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–perovskite 1340 nm non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and the microneedling (MN) technique to treat striae alba (SA).

Materials and Methods

NAFL and MN were used to treat striae on the longitudinally divided abdominal surface of 20 women classified as Fitzpatrick skin type III or IV (five sessions at monthly intervals). Photographs and skin biopsies were obtained during pretreatment and after the third and fifth treatment sessions for all patients. Patients and two independent evaluators assessed the clinical response using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale.

Results

Patient-reported evaluation showed improvement of striae using both modalities, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. Collagen and elastic fibers were significantly increased (p < 0.01) after the third and fifth treatment sessions, with no significant difference between the modalities. In addition, Dermatology Life Quality Index scores showed significant improvement (p < 0.001) after the third and fifth treatment sessions compared with pretreatment values, with average values of 8.4 (standard error [SE] ± 1.21), 3.17 (SE ± 0.55), and 2.64 (SE ± 0.60), respectively. The mean pain score using the Visual Analog Scale in the MN group versus the NAFL group was 5.23 (SE ± 0.31) versus 2.39 (SE ± 0.22) [p < 0.001], and the mean duration of adverse events in the NAFL group versus the MN group was 4.03 days (SE ± 0.45) versus 3 days (SE ± 0.37) [p = 0.02].

Conclusion

NAFL and MN are safe for treating SD, particularly in individuals classified as phototype III or IV. MN is a useful non-technology-dependent, low-cost alternative therapy for SA.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT03390439.

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Acknowledgements

Evaluation assistance was provided by Clarissa Prieto Herman Reinehr, MD, Master in Medical Sciences, and Juliano Peruzzo, MD, Master in Medical Sciences.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Ana Paula Naspolini & Tania Ferreira Cestari

  2. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Juliana Catucci Boza

  3. Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil

    Vinicius Duval da Silva

Authors
  1. Ana Paula Naspolini
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  2. Juliana Catucci Boza
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  3. Vinicius Duval da Silva
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  4. Tania Ferreira Cestari
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Paula Naspolini.

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Conflicts of interest

Ana Paula Naspolini, Juliana Catucci Boza, Vinicius Duval da Silva, and Tania Ferreira Cestari have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Funding

The research for this paper was financially supported by the Research and Events Incentive Fund (FIPE), HCPA, Brazil. In addition, this study received financial support from Aché Laboratory (Guarulhos, Brazil), Dr. Roller, MTO Importadora e Distribuidora (São Leopoldo, Brazil), and Vydence Medical Company (São Carlos, Brazil), who provided the anesthetics and devices used in this study.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

This study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki, and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre (CAAE: 47639415.1.0000.5327).

Informed consent

All patients were provided complete information regarding the procedures, and subsequently signed informed consent forms.

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Naspolini, A.P., Boza, J.C., da Silva, V.D. et al. Efficacy of Microneedling Versus Fractional Non-ablative Laser to Treat Striae Alba: A Randomized Study. Am J Clin Dermatol 20, 277–287 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-018-0415-0

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