Treatment of striae distensae with a TriPollar radiofrequency device: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Striae distensae are a frequent skin condition for which treatment remains a challenge.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of a TriPollar radiofrequency (RF) device for the treatment of striae in skin phototypes IV-V.


METHODS
Seventeen females with striae received six weekly treatments with a TriPollar RF device. The participants were evaluated using standardized photographs and a UVA-light video camera at baseline, and at 1 and 6 weeks after the final treatment. Side effects of treatment were recorded at every session.


RESULTS
At 1 week after the final treatment, 38.2% and 11.8% of the subjects were assessed to have 25-50% and 51-75% improvement of their striae, respectively. Compared with the 1-week follow-up, at the 6-week follow-up a higher percentage of the subjects were rated to have improvement of their striae. There were no significant differences in the striae surface smoothness at the 1- (p = 0.907) and 6-week (p = 0.057) follow-ups, compared with that of baseline. Twelve percent (2/17), 23% (4/17), and 65% (11/17) of the study subjects rated their satisfaction of the overall improvement as slightly satisfied, satisfied, and very satisfied, respectively. No adverse effect was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
TriPollar RF appears to be a promising alternative for the treatment of striae distensae.
Manuskiatti
Woraphong
W
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. siwmn@mahidol.ac.th
Boonthaweeyuwat
Einapak
E
Varothai
Supenya
S
D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011846:Radio Waves; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013848:Thigh / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome