Korean J Dermatol.  2011 Sep;49(9):780-785.

Insight into Striae Distensae with Cosmetic Concern in Korean Women

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Dermatology, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea. dermy@kd.ac.kr
  • 2Yonsei Star Skin Clinic, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Striae distensae is a common skin condition that can happen to everyone. Most cases do not have serious problems, but those who are affected may suffer from strong cosmetic stress. There was an epidemiologic study of striae distensae in Korean adolescents. Up to now, variable treatment modalities have been tried including topical application of tretinoin and light-based therapy using pulsed dye lasers or fractional lasers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of striae distensae in Korean women and estimate their understanding.
METHODS
We carried out a survey targeting 256 healthy female adults without a history of medical disease and analyzed the results.
RESULTS
The number of patients with striae distensae were 219 (86.0%). Striae distensae was mostly seen at the thigh and calf (84.0%) and longitudinal formed striae, with their long axis parallel to the lines of skin tension, was the most frequent shape (44.0%). The most common color of the striae distensae was white (56.0%) and 78% of patients had experienced this before adulthood. Striae distensae is caused by two major factors, overweight (70.0%) and growth spurts (24.0%), and 244 patients (76.0%) replied that they felt uncomfortable because of this disorder. Nineteen patients (8.6%) with striae distensae had gone through treatment. Among them, 11 (5.0%) had technical treatment in dermatologic clinics such as, pulse dye laser, fractional laser, and chemical peeling. Eight patients (3.7%) were treated with folk remedies including moxibustion and acupuncture therapy. However, 154 patients (71%) responded that they wanted treatment for the striae lesion, and 93 patients (43%) have great intention to treatment.
CONCLUSION
A lot of patients are still suffering from striae distensae, but so far there is no appropriate treatment. The biggest problem is that there is very little understanding of striae distensae. Patients should be aware of their striae distensae and we should provide appropriate treatment.

Keyword

Insight; Korean patients; Striae distensae

MeSH Terms

Acupuncture Therapy
Adolescent
Adult
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Cosmetics
Epidemiologic Studies
Female
Humans
Intention
Lasers, Dye
Medicine, Traditional
Moxibustion
Overweight
Prevalence
Skin
Stress, Psychological
Striae Distensae
Thigh
Tretinoin
Cosmetics
Tretinoin
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