Striae Distensae (Stretch Marks) and Different Modalities of Therapy

BACKGROUND: 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. OBJECTIVE: To identify the current treatment modalities and their effectiveness in the treatment of stretch marks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: No current therapeutic option offers complete treatment, although there are a number of emerging new modalities that are encouraging. CONCLUSION: 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.