Comparative Study Between the Efficacy of Fractional CO₂ Laser/Radiofrequency, PRP and a Combination of Both in the Treatment of Striae Distensae: A Pilot Study

Figures & data

Figure 1 Skin biopsy from striae stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (scale 50 μm). (A) Before treatment, (B) after 3 sessions of combined treatment, (C) after 3 sessions of fractional laser/RF, (D) after 3 sessions of PRP. Note the increase in number of fibroblasts and vascularity in all biopsies after treatment to variable degrees. Black arrows refer to fibroblasts and vascularity increasing after treatment.

Figure 2 Skin biopsy from striae stained with Trichrome stain (scale 50 μm). (A) Before treatment, (B) after 3 sessions of combined treatment, (C) after 3 sessions of fractional laser/RF, (D) after 3 sessions of PRP. Note the increase in collagen fibres. Black arrows show increase in fibroblasts with treatment.

Figure 3 Skin biopsy from striae stained with Orcein (scale 50 μm). (A) Before treatment, (B) after 3 sessions of combined treatment, (C) after 3 sessions of fractional laser/RF, (D) after 3 sessions of PRP. Note the lack of increase in elastin. Black arrows point to elastic fibers.

Figure 4 (A) Striae on the back before treatment, (B) improvement of striae after 3 sessions of combined treatment.

Figure 5 (A) Striae on the back before treatment, (B) improvement of striae after 3 sessions of PRP.

Figure 6 (A) Striae on the back before treatment, (B) improvement of striae after 3 sessions of fractional laser/RF.

Table 1 Comparison Between Before and After in PRP

	Mean	Standard Deviation	Median	Minimum	Maximum	P-value
Trichrome collagen fibres before PRP	24.35	1.74	24.40	21.82	26.70	0.080
Trichrome collagen fibers after PRP	23.04	2.80	22.64	20.11	27.68
Orcein elastic fibres before PRP	12.42	4.38	14.53	6.44	17.01	0.465
Orcein elastic fibres after PRP	8.99	2.97	8.34	6.70	14.82

Table 2 Comparison Between Before and After in RF/CO₂

	Mean	Standard Deviation	Median	Minimum	Maximum	P-value
Trichrome collagen fibres before	24.35	1.74	24.40	21.82	26.70	0.917
Trichrome collagen fibers RF/CO2	23.18	3.11	23.59	18.07	26.56
Orcein elastic fibres before	12.42	4.38	14.53	6.44	17.01	0.686
Orcein elastic fibres RF/CO2	12.15	2.86	13.55	8.34	15.23

Table 3 Comparison Between Before and After in Combined RF/CO₂ and PRP

	Mean	Standard Deviation	Median	Minimum	Maximum	P-value
Trichrome collagen fibres before	24.35	1.74	24.40	21.82	26.70	0.046
Trichrome collagen fibers RF/CO2 – PRP	26.22	2.88	27.22	21.60	29.89
Orcein elastic fibres before	12.42	4.38	14.53	6.44	17.01	0.893
Orcein elastic fibres RF/CO2- PRP	13.41	3.55	15.19	8.41	16.47