title: Treatment of striae distensae with needling therapy versus CO2 fractional laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Striae are atrophic dermal scars with overlying epidermal atrophy causing cosmetic concern. This study assesses and compares the efficacy and safety of needling therapy versus CO2 fractional laser in treatment of striae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty Egyptian female patients with striae in the abdomen and lower limbs were involved in the study. The patients were treated with needling therapy and CO2 laser every 1 month for 3 sessions. Follow-up by digital photography and skin biopsy was conducted at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Clinical improvement was assessed by comparing photographs and patient's satisfaction before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine of 10 (90%) needle-treated patients showed improvement. Among them, 3 (30%) had good, 4 (40%) had fair, and 2 (20%) had poor improvements; however, 1 (10%) did not show any improvement after the treatment. In CO2-laser treated patients, 5 of 10 (50%) of the patients showed clinical improvement; 1 (10%) were good, 3 (30%) were fair, and 1 (10%) were poor; however, 5 (50%) did not show improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support the use of microneedle therapy over CO2 lasers for striae treatment.
authors.affiliation: a Departments of Dermatology and Venerology Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University , Zagazig , Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Khater
authors.affiliation: a Departments of Dermatology and Venerology Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University , Zagazig , Egypt.
authors.forename: Fathia M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Khattab
authors.affiliation: b Department of Histology , Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University , Zagazig , Egypt.
authors.forename: Manal R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Abdelhaleem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009339:Needles; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D057896:Striae Distensae / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: CO2 fractional laser; needle therapy; striae distensae