Microneedling with and without Vitamin C versus Fractional CO2 LASER in Treating Abdominal Striae Distensae Alba: A Comparative Clinical and Histopathological Study

Abstract

triae distensae, a common skin condition, represent linear dermal scars accompanied by epidermal atrophy (Chang et al., 2004). Striae distensae affect skin that is subjected to continuous and progressive stretching, increased stress is placed on the connective tissue due to increased size of the various parts of the body (Forbat and Al-Niaimi, 2018). Striae distensae are a reflection of "breaks" in the connective tissue. Skin distention may lead to excessive mast cell degranulation with subsequent damage of collagen and elastin (Salter and Kimball, 2006). Prolonged use of oral or topical corticosteroids or Cushing syndrome (increased cortical activity) leads to the development of striae (Schoepe et al., 2006).