Treatment of striae distensae using an ablative Erbium: YAG fractional laser versus a 585-nm pulsed-dye laser

Abstract

Striae distensae (SD) represent a common disfiguring cutaneous condition characterized by linear reddish smooth bands of atrophic-appearing skin. Most often SD develop in areas of dermal damage produced by stretching. Numerous treatment modalities have been applied with varying success. Novel approaches include treatments with various types of lasers with the flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (PDL; 585 nm) being the most commonly reported. Very recently, fractional photothermolysis has been suggested as an effective method for the treatment of SD. Here, we report on the effect of an ablative Erbium:YAG fractional laser in two cases of axillary SD in comparison with a 585-nm PDL.

Key Words::

• ablative fractional laser
• Erbium:YAG fractional laser
• pulsed-dye laser
• striae distensae

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.