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 Dr. Belo |
The protocol consisted of a series of six treatments at four-week intervals and included a topical treatment regimen applied for one week after each session to mitigate the development of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is a particular risk in Asian skin.
 Hyperpigmented striae distensae before (left) and after six sessions of treatment with the Fraxel re:store laser. |
Histologic evaluations correlated with the clinical findings and supported a theory regarding the mechanism of action for fractional photothermolysis using the erbium:glass laser for treating striae rubra.
 The same patient, one year after the sixth Fraxel laser treatment. Note that the striae further reduced in length and width. They also blended in with the natural skin color, making them less visible. |
"We have had good success using fractional photothermolysis with the 1,550 nm erbium:glass laser for various off-face indications, and are excited to see it is a valuable tool for treating postpartum striae rubra, considering it is a very common cosmetic concern," she says.
STUDY DETAILS The women enrolled in the study had Fitzpatrick skin type III-V. Standard laser parameters were used, consisting of an energy level of 30-40 mJ/cm2 , depth of 900 to 1,120 microns, treatment level 4 (200 MTZ/cm2 ) and eight passes (25 MTZ/cm2 ).
Post-treatment, women applied two topical creams twice daily for five days: an anti-inflammatory cream combining hydrocortisone with erythromycin cream and a tyrosinase inhibitor cream containing arbutin, kojic acid and vitamin C.
Changes in striae rubra appearance were rated using a well-established, five-point quartile grading system, where 0 = no improvement or worsening, and 4 = greater than 75 percent improvement. In addition, biopsies were obtained at baseline and at one, three and six months for histological analysis.
