Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of microneedling with 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of striae alba: double-blind, randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: Stretch marks are an everyday challenge to the dermatologist. In the search for alternative therapies, we find 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and microneedling for associating the following properties: inhibition of fibrosis, stimulation of collagen renovation and induction of skin pigmentation. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-FU, in isolation or associated to microneedling, for the treatment of white stretch marks (striae alba).
METHODS: Comparative, double-blind study over 180 days, between 3 groups: Group A: microneedling and 5-FU; Group B intralesional 5-FU and Group C microneedling without medication. We measured improvement through a numerical scale of skin coloration, considering positive results those with reduction of the discrepancy between the adjacent skin and the stretch mark. We also evaluated patient satisfaction and irritation with each technique.
RESULTS: Group A achieved 10% of excellent clinical improvement, 10% very good and 60% mild. In group B, none of the patients had excellent of very good improvement. In group C, there was 20% of very good clinical improvement and 70% of mild.
CONCLUSIONS: All techniques showed some degree of improvement of the lesions. Therefore, we propose new studies comparing all three techniques, with a larger sample, to evaluate if more treatments would result in better results.

Keywords: Cosmetic Techniques; Fluorouracil; Striae Distensae; Therapeutics