Effectiveness of Fractional CO2 Laser and Topical Centella asiatica Combination Therapy in Striae Distensae (Stretch Marks).

Introduction: Striae distensae (SD) are a skin disorder characterized by linear atrophic depression of the dermis due to stretching of the skin. There are various SD therapy modalities, namely topical therapy, peeling, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma, and laser. Until now, there has been no standard therapy for SD, but several therapeutic modalities can reduce clinical symptoms, so knowledge about the current management of SD is needed. Methods: The research method used an experimental research design with consecutive sampling technique in SD patients at the Dermatology, Venereology and Aesthetics clinic of Mohammad Hoesin Hospital, Palembang, during the research period. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of combination therapy with fractional CO₂ laser and Centella asiatica in SD. Results: This study included 22 SD patients who met the inclusion criteria and received combination therapy with fractional CO₂ laser and Centella asiatica. The results of the analysis of differences in the Index of Striae Distensae Assessment (INA) score, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score and VAS score revealed that there was a significant difference in the mean decrease in the INA score between the baseline and week 12 (P=0.014), as well as in the DLQI score between the baseline and week 12 (P=0.000). There was a significant difference in the mean VAS score between the baseline and week 4 (P=0.000). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the combination of fractional CO₂ laser and topical Centella asiatica effectively reduces the severity of SD, improves patients' quality of life, and decreases associated pain. Further studies could explore long-term effects and optimize treatment protocols for even better outcomes.