Comparative study between the efficacy of fractional micro-needle radiofrequency and fractional CO₂ laser in the treatment of striae distensae

Striae distensae (SD) cause a cosmetic problem to many patients. Recently, fractional micro-needle radiofrequency (FMR) device has been introduced in treatment of SD. Also, fractional CO₂ laser has been used as a resurfacing laser technique in the treatment of SD. The aim of our study was to assess and compare between the efficacy of FMR and fractional CO₂ laser in treatment of SD. Seventeen female patients with SD were enrolled in this study. Detailed history was taken and dermatological examination was done to determine the type of striae, the location, and measurement of the width of the largest striae on each side. In each patient, one side was randomly assigned to treatment by FMR (area A), and the other side to treatment by fractional CO₂ laser (area B). Our results showed that both techniques were effective. A slight better efficacy was encountered with FMR, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.716). The current study concluded that FMR and fractional CO₂ laser are almost equally effective in the treatment of SD (rubra and alba). Development of post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH) was evident with fractional CO2 in contrast with FMR, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001).