INTRODUCTION
Ablative fractionated laser resurfacing has become popular due to the potential adverse effects associated with traditional ablative resurfacing.1 Instead of producing
confluent thermal damage, fractionated devices create columnar microthermal treatment zones (MTZs) that leave up to 95% of the cutaneous surface intact, providing an endogenous
reservoir for rapid healing and barrier to infection.2
Ablative fractionated microplasma radiofrequency (RF) devices use unipolar RF technology, a variant of monopolar RF, to create minimally ablative cutaneous microperforations. The discharge of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation that characterizes unipolar RF leads to the ionization of nitrogen atoms in the space between the skin surface and roof of electrodes, forming a gas-like state known as plasma. These microplasmas create superficial cutaneous microperforations between 100-150 μm in depth and 80-120 μm in diameter.3
Striae distensae is a common, therapeutically challenging cutaneous
disorder with significant cosmetic and psychological implications. Progressive or continuous mechanical stretching forces, such as those encountered in pregnancy, corticosteroid
therapy, or obesity, have commonly been implicated.4 Early inflammatory
processes, including macrophage activation and release of elastases from mast cells, characterize striae rubra, with an evolution toward superficial and mid-dermal elastolysis, disordered collagen, flattening of the dermal-epidermal junction,
and epidermal atrophy in striae alba.4,5 Pulsed-dye lasers, microneedling, ablative and nonablative fractionated lasers, and monopolar, multipolar, and bipolar RF devices, including fractionated microneedle RF technology, have been reported to improve striae distensae with limited adverse events.6-11 Treatment
with microplasma RF devices may lead to improvement in striae distensae via epidermal and dermal thickening, with increased density and organization of collagen fibers.12
METHODS
The prospective study was approved by the Scripps Clinic institutional
review board. Study participants were recruited from a laser and cosmetic dermatology practice. Inclusion criteria
for participation in the study included: exhibiting clinically documented stretch marks limited to the abdomen of either gender with an age range of 21-75. Exclusion criteria included: active bacterial or viral infection, impaired immune system,
