A Comparative Study of Tretinoin 0.05% Cream vs Platelet Rich Plasma in Striae Distensae

Striae distensae have been treated with various modalities like topical retinoids, microdermabrasion, laser therapies, light therapies, needling, radiofrequency and platelet rich plasma (PRP). This observational study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of topical retinoids with PRP.

A total of 25 patients were prescribed tretinoin 0.05% cream to be applied on one half of the body in specific number of striae once daily for 2 months and PRP sessions on the other half every 2 weeks for 2 months i.e., four sessions and then followed up monthly for three months. Vernier callipers was used to measure the width and a scale as used to measure the length of striae. Improvement was also seen by using six-point visual analog scale (VAS).

Average age of patients was 25.4 ± 4.7, eleven (44%) were males, and fourteen (56%) females. The difference in response to PRP was found to be highly statistically significant (p 0.002) as compared to topical retinoid on VAS. However, no significant improvement was seen in the size of striae and there was no difference between the two groups. Striae <6 months’ duration showed better results than those >6 months’ duration and the result was found to be highly statistically significant (p 0.003). Striae rubra showed better results with PRP as compared to Striae alba and this was also found to be statistically significant (p 0.04). Scaling was seen in 14 (56%) and erythema in 16 (64%) patients treated with topical retinoid cream. Similarly, erythema was seen in 9 (36%), scaling in 5 (20%), ecchymosis in 6 (24%), in patients treated with PRP. Fifteen (60%) patients also complained of pain at the site of PRP.

PRP was found to be a better modality in treatment of striae distensae as compared to topical retinoids. Striae rubra of less than 6 months’ duration responded better to PRP as compared to striae alba.