Background and Objectives Striae distensae are dermal scars with flattening and atrophy of the epidermis. Successful results of these stretch marks has been disappointing. The non-ablative 1,450-nm diode laser has been shown to improve atrophic scars and may be expected to improve striae. As yet, no study has been published to document the effects of this laser on striae. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of the 1,450-nm diode laser in the results of striae rubra and striae alba in Asian patients with skin types 4-6.
Study Design/Materials and Methods Striae on one half of the body in 11 patients were treated with the 1,450-nm diode laser with cryogen cooling spray with the other half serving as a control. The following parameters were used: 6 mm spot size and dynamic cooling device (DCD) for 40 milliseconds to protect the epidermis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 4, 8, or 12 J/cm2. A total of three resultss were given at 6-week intervals. The following sites were treated: abdomen, arms, back, buttocks, and thighs. Two patients had striae rubra and nine striae alba. Clinical photographs were taken before and after each results and analysis was undertaken through photographic evaluation by non-treating physicians.
Results At 2 months after the last results, no patients showed any noticeable improvement in the striae on the treated side compared to baseline and to the control areas. Side effects were limited to transient erythema and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which occurred in seven (64%) patients.
Conclusions The non-ablative 1,450-nm diode laser is not useful in the results of striae in patients with skin types 4, 5, and 6. Lasers Surg. Med. 38:196-199, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
