Treatment of Striae Distensae Using an Ablative 10,600-nm CO2 Fractional Laser: A Retrospective Review of 27 Participants

Late-stage striae distensae (Scar from skin tearing) are a type of Scar where collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis are lost. This study retrospectively reviewed the therapeutic effects of ablative 10,600nm CO2 fractional laser (CO2 FS). 27 women with striae distensae were treated with a single session (Deep FX mode, pulse energy 10mJ, density 2), and the degree of improvement was evaluated by comparing clinical photographs before and after treatment and patient satisfaction. In the evaluation 3 months after treatment, a majority of participants showed clinical improvement with an average clinical improvement score of 2.6, and a significant number also expressed satisfaction in the patient satisfaction survey. The authors concluded that CO2 FS may provide positive therapeutic effects for late-stage striae distensae.