Comparative study between microneedling alone and microneedling combined with platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of striae distensae using clinical and histopathological assessment

Back ground Different methods of treatment have been tried for striae distensae but to date no definite effective modality has been determined. Objective To compare the efficacy of microneedling alone with its effect when combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of striae distensae. Patients and methods This comparative study was performed on 20 female patients with striae distensae. The patients were exposed to four sessions (2 weeks apart) of microneedling alone on the right side and microneedling accompanied with PRP on the left side. Response to treatment was assessed by comparing pretreatment and post-treatment clinical photographs, skin biopsies, and patient satisfaction scores. The degree of clinical improvement was assessed using the Quartile Grading Scale. Results According to the Quartile Grading Scale, on the right side marked improvement was noted in four (20%) patients, moderate improvement in eight (40%) patients, and minimal improvement in the remaining eight (40%) patients. On the left side 10 (50%) patients showed marked improvement, seven (35%) patients showed moderate improvement, and three (15%) patients showed minimal improvement. Morphometric analysis revealed increased post-treatment percentage area of colored collagen fibers on both sides but only on the left side was this increase significant when compared with the pretreatment values and with the post-treatment values on the right side. Conclusion Microneedling is safe and more effective when used with PRP for the treatment of striae distensae.