Comparative Study Between the Efficacy of Fractional CO(2) Laser/Radiofrequency, PRP and a Combination of Both in the Treatment of Striae Distensae: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE: The work aims to compare the effect of platelet-rich plasma versus fractional CO2(2) laser/radiofrequency versus both methods combined in treating striae distensae. PATIENTS & METHODS: The study included ten female patients with striae alba with Fitzpatrick IV skin. Three sites of striae were chosen; one was treated with platelet-rich plasma, another with fractional CO(2) /radiofrequency (CO(2)/RF), and the third received both treatments. Every patient received three treatment sessions one month apart. Patients were photographed, and a skin biopsy was taken from each area before and one month after treatment. RESULTS: Assessment of the clinical photos showed that fractional CO(2)/radiofrequency gave a mild improvement in 22%, moderate improvement in 55.5% and marked improvement in 22.5%. Clinically, the combined treatment showed mild improvement in 44% of patients, moderate results in 33% and marked improvement in 23% of patients. The PRP as an only mode of treatment showed poor improvement in 22%, mild improvement in 23% and moderate improvement in 55% of patients. Biopsy results showed a decrease in collagen and elastin after treatment with the solitary methods, while the combined approach resulted in an increase in collagen and a reduction in elastin. CONCLUSION: Fractional CO(2) laser/radiofrequency combined with PRP or either of them showed clinical improvement to variable degrees with superior results clinically and histologically with the combined method.