%0 Journal Article
%T Long-term results of the treatment of pregnancy-induced striae distensae using a 1550-nm non-ablative fractional laser.
%A Gokalp H
%J J Cosmet Laser Ther
%V 19
%N 7
%D Nov 2017
%M 28665161
%F 1.982
%R 10.1080/14764172.2017.1342040
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Striae distensae (SD) are a type of dermal scarring that is quite common and difficult to treat. Two forms are known: striae rubrae (SR) and striae albae (SA).<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>We compared the long-term clinical effectiveness of a 1550-nm non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) in treating SR and SA.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We included 16 female patients (8 with SR and 8 with SA) who had developed abdominal SD during pregnancy. All underwent five moderately high-energy sessions of 1550-nm NAFL treatment at 4-week intervals. The strial widths and lengths were measured before, and 1 month and 1 year after treatment.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The mean strial width decreased from 6.94 mm before treatment to 3.25 mm at the first follow-up visit (p = 3.95 × 10-5) and to 3.13 mm at the second follow-up visit (p = 2.44 × 10-5). Similarly, the mean strial length decreased from 6.06 to 2.88 cm at the first follow-up visit (p = 1.7 × 10-4) and to 2.75 cm at the second follow-up visit (p = 9.52 × 10-5).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>NAFL treatment was effective long term in both SR and SA patients.