Treatment of Striae Grvidarum as a Type of Striae Distensae Using Long Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser (1064nm) and Fractional CO2 Laser (10600nm)

Abstract

Striae distensae SD or stretch mark are frequent skin lesion that cause considerable aesthetic concern. The 1064nm long pulsed Nd:YAG Laser has been used to promote an increase in dermal collagen and is known to be a Laser that has a high affinity to vascular chromphores. Also by using fractional CO₂ Laser 10600nm as an effective modality in treatment of striae distensae SD. It works to stimulate fibroblast and enhance Collagen formation, which is important for newly generated skin tissue.

Objectives: This study aims to verify the efficacy of long pulsed Nd: YAG Laser (1064nm) in the treatment of immature striae distensae (SD) and the efficacy of C0₂ fractional Laser (10600nm) in treatment of mature striae distensae SD.

Patient and methods: Ten female patients with striae distensae (SD) in the abdomen formed during pregnancy period five of them had immature or recent type of striae were treated by long pulse Nd: YAG Laser 1064nm and the others  five patient had mature type of striae were treated by fractional Co₂ Laser (10600nm). This study done in Laser medicine research clinic of institute of Laser for post graduate studies from July 2018 to the end of November 2018. The Age of patients range from 20-40 years old. The Laser parameter used for fractional Co₂ Laser (10600nm) was 18 Watts power. Pulse duration 1.3ms, interval 1ms, with distance 1.1mm, the procedure was done under topical anesthesia (EMLA) and the number of sessions done were three sessions of one month interval. The parameter used for long pulse ND: YAG Laser (1064nm) was (51.J) energy in the first session and (70.J) in the second, pulse duration (30ms) frequency (2Hz) with spot size (10mm) with two weeks interval between the sessions, three sessions were used for every patient.

Results: The patient treated by fractional CO₂ Laser (10600nm) had a change in the shape and texture of striae distensae SD from first session, and there was noticeable change  occurred in the second session regarding texture and color of striae that became faint. The patient  treated with long pulse Nd:YAG(1064nm) had good result from the second session in which the S.D line became faint with change in texture. With no or mild side effect of treatment, 90% of all patient are fully satisfied with treatment only 10% of patient showed partial satisfaction. 10% of patient had hyperpigmentation.

Conclusion: Striae can be treated by Laser as an effective and safe method with less side effect with good patient satisfaction by long pulse Nd: YAG Laser (1064nm) and fractional Co₂ Laser (10600nm) to treat immature and mature striae respectively.