Background: Striae distensae are linear atrophic dermal scars covered with flat atrophic
epidermis. They may cause disfigurement especially in females. Many factors may cause
striae distensae such as steroids, obesity and pregnancy. Although, there is no standard
treatment for striae; many topical applications, peeling and light and laser systems have
been tried. Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser with
intense pulse light in treating striae distensae. Methods: Forty patients with striae
distensae were recruited. Twenty of them were treated by fractional CO2 laser and 20
were treated with intense pulse Light (IPL). Length and width of the largest striae were
measured pre and post treatment. Patient satisfaction was also evaluated and graded.
Patients were photographed after each treatment session and photos were examined by a
blind physician. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement after treatments
(P<0.05). Patients treated with fractional CO2 laser showed significant improvement after
the fifth session compared with those treated with ten sessions of IPL (P<0.05) in all
parameters except in the length of striae (P>0.05).Conclusion: The current study has
provided supportive evidence to the effectiveness of both fractional Co2laser and IPL as
treatments for striae distensae. Fractional CO2 laser was found to be more effective in
treatment of striae distensae compared with IPL