The Effectiveness of Fractional CO2 LASER in Treatment of Striae Rubra and Striae Alba: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Striae distensae are a well-recognized, common skin condition that rarely causes any significant medical problems but are often a significant source of distress to those affected. The natural evolution of striae is from red or purple, raised wavy lesions (striae rubra) to white atrophic lesions with wrinkly surface (striae alba). The histopathological findings vary according to the duration of the lesions; striae rubra show a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate around dilated venules. The collagen fibers in the reticular dermis are thin, stretched and aligned parallel to the skin surface, there are fine elastic fibers predominating throughout the dermis. While striae alba are characterized by thinning of the epidermis due to flattening of the rete ridges. The collagen fibers are reduced and packed in thin straight bundles in papillary dermis running parallel to the skin surface. The elastic fibers become increased and thicker throughout the dermis. Successful treatment of striae has always been challenging, although several treatments have been