Low-dose tretinoin does not improve striae distensae: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Author(s): Pribanich S, Simpson FG, Held B, Yarbrough CL, White SN

Affiliation(s): Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157.

Publication date & source: 1994-08, Cutis., 54(2):121-4.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Striae distensae occur on the abdomen and/or breast in 90 percent of all pregnant women and are the result of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. This study investigated the response of pregnancy-related abdominal striae to treatment with tretinoin cream (0.025 percent) applied daily for seven months. In this study, eleven subjects were randomly assigned to tretinoin or placebo treatment groups. Before and after photographs were evaluated by a standardized system. There was no difference or improvement in the treated group compared with control subjects. Tretinoin 0.025 percent cream was ineffective in improving striae distensae in these subjects.