Uso do laser de baixa potência em estrias de distensão: ensaio clínico randomizado controlado

Abstract

AIMS: To analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (660nm) in the treatment of striae alba.METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 20 women equally divided into a control group and a treatment group. For inclusion, they should have striae alba in the gluteal region and accept to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria were other treatment for striae, pregnancy, steroid use, smoking, cancer diagnosis, hemorrhagic areas on the skin, diagnosis of epilepsy, diagnosis of thrombosis, or any cognitive impairment. Twelve applications of 660 nm laser were performed for four weeks. After another four weeks of follow-up, a reevaluation was performed. After each application, photos were taken from the region to evaluate the size of the striae by means of scanned planimetry, which calculates the percentage of area occupied by the striae. For this evaluation, the photos taken at the first application (AV1), the sixth (AV2), the 12th (AV3) and the last evaluation, after four weeks of treatment completion (AV4), were used. Qualitative evaluations were also performed by touch (depth) and visual inspection (hue and size).RESULTS: The analysis by planimetry showed that there was no difference between the area occupied by the striae when comparing the various evaluations of the same group, until the AV3. However in AV4 (four weeks after the last laser application) of the treatment group, there was a statistically significant decrease of the stria area in relation to AV1. In the control group, there was no difference between AV4 and the other evaluations. In the comparison between the two groups, there was no difference in the first three evaluations. However in AV4 the treatment group showed a smaller area of the striae in relation to the control group. In the qualitative analysis the treated group had lower visibility and less depth of the striae to the touch.CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with 12 sessions of low-level laser for four weeks had a positive effect on the treatment of striae alba, with results becoming evident only four weeks after the last application. The 660 nm laser showed to be a non-invasive, painless and fast-applied method.