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Comparative study of treatment for striae alba stage striae gravidarum: 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser versus fractional microneedle radiofrequency

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Abstract

Striae gravidarum is a common dermatologic condition for females caused by multiple factors during pregnancy. It remains a therapeutic challenge especially in the striae alba (SA) stage, generating psychological and emotional distress to those affected. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and fractional microneedle radiofrequency (MRF) for treatment of SA striae gravidarum. Fourteen Chinese women with SA striae gravidarum were included in this study. Patient abdomens were randomly divided into NAFL and MRF treatment sides, treated three times at 6-week intervals. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by subjective (clinical assessments, patient satisfaction rating, adverse effects assessment) assessments and objective (skin melanin index measurement, histological study) assessments. Clinical assessment suggested MRF was more effective (P = 0.0143) for improving the appearance of SA striae gravidarum. Both NAFL and MRF demonstrated effective improvement (P = 0.0082 and P = 0.0158, respectively), with no significant difference according to patient satisfaction ratings and changes in melanin index (P = 0.5900). Both treatments induced limited adverse reactions, but MRF treatment caused significant pain compared with the more moderate NAFL treatment (P = 0.0003). MRF treatment increased neocollagen and elastic fibers more significantly than NAFL, based on histological assessments (P = 0.0298 and P = 0.0048, respectively). MRF treatment improved collagen regeneration in SA striae gravidarum more than NAFL but caused considerable pain during treatment. Corresponding treatment or therapeutic strategies should be applied according to clinical scenario.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Capital Medical University Electric Power Teaching Hospital, Beijing, 100073, People’s Republic of China

    Zhaoyang Tang

  2. Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan

    Shuheng Wen

  3. Department of Forensic Pathology, China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine, Shenyang, 110122, People’s Republic of China

    Shuheng Wen

  4. Department of Dermatology, No. 1 Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China

    Taoming Liu, Aijiao Yu & Yuanhong Li

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  1. Zhaoyang Tang
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  2. Shuheng Wen
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  3. Taoming Liu
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  4. Aijiao Yu
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  5. Yuanhong Li
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Correspondence to Yuanhong Li.

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Written informed consent and image usage agreements were obtained from the patients prior to enrollment in the study.

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This study was approved by the Institutional Medical Ethics and Human Research Committee of China Medical University and was conducted in adherence with the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki.

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Tang, Z., Wen, S., Liu, T. et al. Comparative study of treatment for striae alba stage striae gravidarum: 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser versus fractional microneedle radiofrequency. Lasers Med Sci 36, 1823–1830 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03203-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03203-y

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