Treatment of striae distensae with microdermabrasion:a clinical and molecular study

Background. Striae distensae are dermal scars associated with epidermal atrophy whose treatment optionsare unsatisfactory. Although microdermabrasion has become a popular method for superficial skin resurfacing, studies examining its usefulness in treatment of striae are laclung. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of microdermabrasion in treatment of striae and to test its effect on mRNA expression of type Iprocollagen. Methods. Each of 20 patients with striae underwent a series of 5 rnicrodermabrasion treatmentsat weekly intervals to their striae on one half of the body with matched striae on the other half serving ascontrol. From each patient, skin biopsy specimens were obtained 2 weeks after the last microdermabrasion treatment from both treated and untreated control striae. Samples were subjected to real time RT-PCR forassay of type I procollagen -1 mRNA levels. Results. There was good to excellent (more than 50%)improvement in the appearance of striae in 50% of cases 12 weeks after starting 5microdermabrasion treatments compared to control. The remaining 50% showed mild to moderate (up to 50%) improvement.More improvement was obtained in striae rubra than striae alba. Upregulated type I procollagen a1 mRNA expression was found in the rnicrodermabrasion treated compared to non treated striae. Conclusion.Microderrnabrasion can be a useful therapeutic option in treatment of striae with a possible stimulatory effecton type I procollagen formation.