Striae Distensae (Stretch Marks) and Different Modalities of Therapy: An Update

Striae distensea (SD; stretch marks) are a well-recognized, common skin condition that rarely causes any significant medical problems but are often a significant source of distress to those affected. The origins of SD are poorly understood, and a number of treatment modalities are available for their treatment, yet none of them is consistently effective, and no single therapy is considered to be pivotal for this problem. With a high incidence and unsatisfactory treatments, stretch marks remain an important target of research for an optimum consensus of treatment. To identify the current treatment modalities and their effectiveness in the treatment of stretch marks. Review of the recent literature regarding clinical treatment of stretch marks with emphasis on the safety and efficacy of the newer optical devices and laser applications. No current therapeutic option offers complete treatment, although there are a number of emerging new modalities that are encouraging. The therapeutic strategies are numerous, and no single modality has been far more consistent than the rest. The long-term future of treatment strategies is encouraging with the advance in laser technologies. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.