The Use of a Fractional Ablative Micro-Plasma Radiofrequency Device in Treatment of Striae.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a fractional ablative micro-plasma radiofrequency (RF) device in the reduction of the appearance of abdominal striae.

METHODS: Five female patients (age range, 30-60) with abdomen striae alba (n=4) and striae rubra (n=1) were enrolled in the study. Skin type distribution among the 5 patients was two type II, one type III, and two type IVs. The device (Accent XL, Alma Lasers Inc.) is a radiofrequency fractional platform (40.68 MhZ) that deploys multiple conical pin electrodes on a moving handheld 6 cogs roller. Four treatments were performed every two weeks with settings based on test spots performed two weeks prior to a full treatment session. Assessment of striae was based on clinical severity of the lesions on a 1-4 scale, with "4" being the most severe. A questionnaire was administered to patients with possible subjective responses ranging from 0-4, with 0 being no improvement and quartiles from 1-4 (1= mild improvement, 2= fair improvement, 3= moderate improvement, and 4= marked improvement, respectively).

RESULTS: Three months after 4 treatments, a mean improvement of 20% was achieved (mean severity score changed from 2.9 to 2.5). Micro-wounds were approximately 200 μm wide on the surface, initially presenting as small gray "dots" and evolving into black dots lasting about 2 weeks. Mean pain was 2/10. Erythema and edema persisted for about one day. No pigmentation abnormalities were observed at the final evaluation. The results from the patient questionnaire revealed a mean score of 2.4/4, thus falling in the range of good to very good.

CONCLUSION: A fractional ablative micro-plasma RF roller device can improve improvement in the appearance of abdomen striae.