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.

OBJECTIVES

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.

CONCLUSION

TriPollar RF appears to be a promising alternative for the treatment of striae distensae.