Striae distensae are characterized by distinct microstructural features as measured by non‐invasive methods in vivo

Jung

Skin Research and Technology

2019

Background Striae distensae (SD) are skin lesions of parallel streaks, which mostly occur during rapid tissue expansion. Considering the etiological mechanism of SD, including dermal network ruptures and alignment to mechanical stretch, structural directionality or anisotropy could be expected. Non‐invasive objective methods for measuring the anisotropy of SD have not been suggested yet. Therefore, we evaluated the anisotropic properties of SD with regard to skin surface texture and viscoelasticity, to verify them as new objective evaluation parameters of SD. Methods Thirty‐two healthy subjects with SD on their body participated. Anisotropy of skin surface texture and biomechanical properties of SD‐involved skin and adjacent normal skin was assessed and compared. Results Analysis of skin surface texture, based on the ×60 magnified images, revealed that SD have more disordered patterns compared to the regular honeycomb patterns seen in the normal surrounding skin. SD have bigger sizes of each blob than normal skin. The overall anisotropy of skin texture was significantly higher in SD. Skin biomechanical parameters, measured using Cutiscan®, indicated the less deformable, less recovered, and less viscoelastic properties of SD. When comparing viscoelastic properties over 360°, SD were more anisotropic than the adjacent normal skin as well. Conclusion We observed that SD were significantly more anisotropic than adjacent normal skin with regard to skin surface texture and viscoelasticity. Therefore, anisotropy could be an objective evaluation parameter to represent the distinctive features of SD. It can be applied for evaluation of the SD severity and clinical efficacy of various treatments.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of anisotropic properties of striae distensae with regard to skin surface texture and viscoelasticity

Jung

Skin Research and Technology

2019

Skin Research and Technology

“…demonstrated that SD skin had significantly higher values in the surface roughness than normal skin. Continuous structure modifications of skin relief were associated with a decrease in the elastic fiber network of the papillary dermis . We identified the consistency results that the roughness of SD‐involved skin showed higher values in Ra, Rz, and Rt parameters as shown in Figure E,F and Figure .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Moreover, other studies described that the SD‐involved skin has significantly less elasticity and exhibited less deformability than normal skin. Bertin et al., using three‐dimensional measurement, reported that the surface of SD skin is rougher and more anisotropic than that of normal skin . Ultrasound technique has been used as an efficient method to visualize the changes in the characteristics of the dermis .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biophysical properties of striae rubra and striae alba in human skin: Comparison with normal skin

Cho¹,

Cho²,

Kim³

et al. 2018

Background Striae distensae are common dermal lesions that progress through two different stages: the striae rubra, which appears to be erythematous, and striae alba, which is characterized by a hypopigmented feature. The clinical characteristics between striae distensae stages and normal skin remain unknown. Objectives We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics according to stages of striae distensae in terms of their biophysical properties, using objective noninvasive measurements in comparison with adjacent normal skin. Methods Sixty‐one healthy female subjects with striae distensae were included as follows: 30 with striae rubra and 31 with striae alba on the abdomen and thighs. Hydration of the epidermis and dermis, skin color brightness, and Erythema index were measured. Skin elasticity, roughness, and dermal echo‐density of the skin with striae distensae and adjacent normal skin were also measured. Results Hydration of the epidermis and dermis showed no significant difference between the skin with striae distensae and normal skin. Brightness of skin with striae alba and normal skin was significantly higher than that of skin with striae rubra. Erythema index of skin with striae rubra was significantly higher than that of skin with striae alba and normal skin. Skin with striae rubra and striae alba had a rougher surface than normal skin. Elasticity and dermal echo‐density were significantly lower in striae distensae skin. Conclusions Striae rubra and striae alba had similar biophysical properties in terms of skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and dermal density. Moreover, striae distensae have less elasticity, more roughness, and lower dermal density than normal skin.

Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, Ninth Edition

Acquired Disorders of Dermal Connective Tissue

Lovell

2016

The subject matter of this chapter comprises the major acquired disorders that affect mainly collagen and elastic tissue. The connective tissue of normal skin is discussed elsewhere. Heritable disorders of connective tissue, such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, are covered in another chapter, as are disorders of ground substance, such as the mucinoses and mucopolysaccharidoses. In addition, many disorders, including developmental defects, neoplasms and other reactive or scarring conditions, may involve the connective tissues. Although it can be convenient to separate conditions into disorders affecting collagen or elastic tissue, the distinction is somewhat artificial, as changes in these proteins are generally preceded by abnormal metabolism of other matrix components, such as fibronectin or periostin.