title: Superficial dermabrasion versus topical tretinoin on early striae distensae: a randomized, pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Striae distensae (SD) is a common skin condition, with a prevalence ranging from 40% to 90%, depending on the population studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of superficial dermabrasion and compare it with that of topical tretinoin cream in the treatment of narrow and early SD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, single-center, randomized, open-label study. Thirty-two women presenting with early, untreated SD (striae rubra) were included in this study. One group received 16 weekly sessions of superficial and localized dermabrasion, and the other used 0.05% tretinoin cream daily. Striae width and length were measured and compared between groups and over time. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores and subject satisfaction were also assessed. Biopsies were performed for subjects who agreed to undergo this procedure, followed by histologic analyses of the skin samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both treatments were efficacious, with significant improvement in early SD from baseline, but there was no significant difference between the two treatments. Histologic assessment showed improvement in epidermal and dermal layers for the dermabrasion treatment group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both treatments had similar efficacy, but superficial dermabrasion had a lower frequency of side effects and better adherence of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Brazilian Center for Studies in Dermatology, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hexsel
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soirefmann
authors.forename: Manoela D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Porto
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schilling-Souza
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Siega
authors.forename: Taciana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dal'Forno
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003869:Dermabrasion / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D057896:Striae Distensae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin