Effects of Olive Oil on Striae Gravidarum in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.

Context: The development of striae gravidarum (SG), stretch marks, is one of the most common skin changes during pregnancy. The number of studies conducted on the reduction or prevention of SG, especially on the effects of olive oil, is limited. Objective: The study intended to evaluate the clinical efficacy of olive oil in reducing the severity and preventing the progression of SG when used from the third trimester of pregnancy to the child's birth. Design: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Setting: The data was collected at the private Medipol Nisa Hospital. The trial registry number is NCT04489901. Participants: Participants were 156 Turkish women having their first pregnancies and in their third trimester. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group. Women in the intervention group applied olive oil to their abdomens twice a day, in the morning and evening. The control group used no intervention. Outcome Measures: The participants' striae levels were assessed using the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale and Davey's Severity Score. Results: A statistically significant difference existed between the intervention and the control groups in terms of incidence and type of striae gravidarum, with the intervention group having a 50% incidence and 85.9% type 2 striae compared to the control group's 69.2% incidence and 35.9% type 4 striae. According to Davey's Severity Score, the severity of striae was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group, with the scores being 2 and 4, respectively. Conclusions: Using olive oil was very effective in reducing the severity and preventing the progression of striae gravidarum.

A qualitative study of the factors influencing recruitment to a pilot trial on the prevention of striae gravidarum.

BACKGROUND: Striae gravidarum are a common occurrence in pregnancy and many women use a topical product to prevent their development or lessen their appearance if they do develop. There is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of many of the products used by women. This study arose from challenges in recruitment to a pilot randomised trial (ISRCTN trial registration number:76992326) designed to evaluate the feasibility of a definitive trial to compare a moisturising oil to no treatment in the prevention and reduction in severity of striae gravidarum. The study reported here explored the factors influencing recruitment to that pilot trial. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken involving primigravid women attending an Irish maternity hospital. Data were collected by semi-structured telephone interviews over a four-week period and analysed using the framework method of analysis. Fifteen interview transcripts were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes consisting of twelve categories were identified from the interview data. The themes focused on women's prevention of stretch marks and their choice of anti-stretch mark product, who and what influenced that choice and influences on trial participation. In relation to influences on trial participation, the possibility of being randomised to the non- intervention or control group was a deterrent for many women. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention of stretch marks is important to pregnant women, as is their choice of product to prevent them. Offering women the opportunity to be part of a trial that would be of low burden and would test a well-known product may optimise recruitment. However, reluctance to be randomised because of the possibility of being allocated to the non-intervention control group suggests that further work is needed in this field on how best to communicate uncertainty to potential participants.

Tratamento a laser para estrias de distensão: revisão bibliográfica / Laser treatment for stretch marks: a literature review

Estrias de distensão são cicatrizes na derme que constrangem os pacientes e oferecem desafios ao tratamento clínico. Resultam do rápido estiramento da pele, frequentemente presente em adolescentes, gestantes, obesos e indivíduos com rápida mudança de peso. Apresentam-se inicialmente como placas eritematosas e edemaciadas (estrias rubras) e, conforme amadurecem, tornam-se esbranquiçadas e atróficas (estrias albas), devido à degradação e reorganização de fibras de elastina e de colágeno. Atualmente, lasers representam modalidade terapêutica não invasiva emergente, que já demonstrou sucesso na redução da vascularização excessiva das estrias rubras, e no estímulo à produção de colágeno e elastina nas albas. Foi realizada revisão da literatura no PubMed referente ao tratamento de estrias atróficas com laser de janeiro de 2000 até dezembro de 2016. Os autores encontraram 28 artigos que se enquadraram nos critérios de inclusão. Existem poucos estudos clínicos randomizados avaliando a eficácia ao longo prazo e a segurança de aparelhos à base de energia. Baseado em casos clínicos e revisões sistemáticas, ambos os lasers - ablativo e não ablativo - fracionados demonstraram melhora modesta do aspecto das estrias distensas. Há tendência a sugestão do laser não ablativo fracionado de 1.540 nanômetro como sendo opção de primeira escolha para tratamento das estrias distensas. Porém, estudos futuros devem focar em desenhos de pesquisa com duração mais longa, medidas objetivas e padronizadas da avaliação dos resultados como biópsias e estudos moleculares, que demonstrem aumento nas fibras elásticas e fibras de colágeno, que correlacionem com a melhora do aspecto clínico das estrias após aplicação de lasers com parâmetros sistematizados.

Stretch marks are scars on the dermis that cause patients to be self-conscious and that pose challenges in clinical treatment. They result from rapid stretching of the skin and often observed in adolescents, pregnant women, obese individuals, and people experiencing rapid change in weight. They initially appear as erythematous and edematous plaques (red striae), and as they mature, they become whitish and atrophic (striae alba) due to the degradation and reorganization of elastin and collagen fibers. Currently, laser treatment is an emerging noninvasive therapeutic modality that is successful in reducing the excessive vascularization of red striae and in stimulating the production of collagen and elastin in the alba. In the present literature review, PubMed was searched for articles on the treatment of atrophic striations with laser that were published from January 2000 to December 2016. The authors have found 28 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Only few randomized clinical trials have evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of energybased treatments. Based on clinical cases and systematic reviews, both ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers caused moderate improvement in the appearance of distending striae. The 1540-nm non-ablative fractional laser is more likely to be considered the first-line treatment for stretch marks. However, future studies should focus on research with longer duration, studies with objective and standardized measures for the evaluation of results, such as biopsy results, and molecular studies showing an increase in elastic and collagen fibers that correlate to the improvement in the clinical appearance of the striae after using lasers with systematized parameters.

Prevention of striae gravidarum: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Striae gravidarum (stretch marks) are considered the most common connective tissue/skin change in pregnancy. Though not a health issue they can affect women in different ways, for example, cause stress or be an aesthetic or cosmetic concern. Many women use one or more of the commercially available products to try and prevent their development during pregnancy despite the fact that that there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support their use. There is a dearth of studies on the prevention of striae gravidarum and large, robust trials are lacking. Until such time as more products are investigated, much of the knowledge remains anecdotal. This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility of conducting a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercially available moisturising oil compared to no treatment for the prevention and reduction in severity of striae gravidarum. METHODS: The definitive study will be a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a moisturising oil (commercially available moisturising oil) compared to no treatment for the prevention and reduction in severity of striae gravidarum. This protocol is for a pilot randomised trial to evaluate the feasibility of conducting such a study. The pilot study will be a two-arm, unblinded, pragmatic parallel randomised trial with a 1:1 randomisation ratio between control and intervention groups. Women in the intervention group will be asked to apply a moisturising oil to their abdomen during pregnancy, while women in the control group will not use any treatment. It is proposed to recruit 20 primigravida, who are 12-16 weeks pregnant from an Irish Maternity Hospital, in each arm to assess the feasibility of running such a trial. DISCUSSION: This pilot trial will evaluate the feasibility of conducting the main study to evaluate the effectiveness of a moisturising oil (commercially available moisturising oil) compared to no treatment for the prevention and reduction in severity of striae gravidarum. It will potentially initiate the generation of high-quality evidence to guide women in their choice of anti-stretch mark product. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN76992326 . Registered on 14 July 2017.

Striae Distensae: Preventative and Therapeutic Modalities to Improve Aesthetic Appearance.

BACKGROUND: Striae distensae (SD) are aesthetically troublesome to patients and therapeutically challenging. OBJECTIVE: Herein, the authors comprehensively review the literature pertaining to the history, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, clinical rating scales, and laboratory, imaging, and histologic features of SD. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A review of PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Google scholar was conducted, including literature published from 1773 to August 6, 2016. RESULTS: The authors identified 68 articles that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: There are few randomized controlled trials evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of various topical and energy-based devices. Based on clinical and anecdotal experience, both nonablative and ablative fractionated lasers have shown modest SD improvement compared with other treatment modalities (including Excimer laser, CuBr laser, pulsed dye laser, and 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser). In the authors' experience, 1,540-nm nonablative fractionated laser is a worthy first-line modality for the treatment of SD. Future researchers may consider greater focus on enhanced study design, including larger, long-term split-body, or split-SD head-to-head randomized comparative trials with objective outcome measures and end points, such as biopsy and molecular studies demonstrating increased collagen and elastic fibers that correlate to clinical improvement.

Dermatoses of pregnancy: Nomenclature, misnomers, and myths.

The most recent reclassification of dermatoses of pregnancy includes polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, atopic eruption of pregnancy, and pemphigoid gestationis; intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, strictly not a dermatosis, was included in specific dermatoses of pregnancy for working purposes. Another dermatosis, pustular psoriasis of pregnancy, could be included for similar reasons. The nomenclature of these pregnancy-specific eruptions has been revised several times, generating potential confusion among practitioners. Clouding the picture further are misnomers that have been used to describe dermatoses of pregnancy. In addition, several cutaneous conditions that are associated with, but not specific to, pregnancy, have been misunderstood, which has resulted in certain myths among patients and physicians. In this contribution, we describe how the nomenclature of each dermatosis of pregnancy has evolved to fit the current classification scheme. We then identify several misnomers that have generated confusion within the scheme. Finally, we debunk several myths that have developed around cutaneous conditions outside of this scheme, in both mother and newborn.

Is it possible to prevent striae gravidarum?

BACKGROUND: Striae gravidarum (SG), commonly called stretch marks, is an important cosmetic problem which is not treatable, although preventive measures might be effective. The aim of this study was to determine individual risk factors causing SG and the degree to which preventive measures could be effective. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 211 singleton primiparous pregnant women who were hospitalized for birth and who did not have systemic diseases or other risk factors, like drug use or polyhydramnios. Patients were examined and divided into two groups with respect to whether or not they had striae. Individual features were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: While 159 patients (75.4%) had SG, 52 (24.6%) did not. Patients with striae had a significantly lower mean age and higher mean preconceptional body mass indices than ones without striae (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Family history (p = 0.002), having a male baby (p = 0.042), and lower educational level (p = 0.033) were also statistically significant in predicting striae. Use of preventive oil or drugs, smoking status, skin type, water intake, and level of financial income did not significantly predict SG. CONCLUSION: Informing women preconceptionally on the importance of modifiable risk factors, such as body weight and maternal age before pregnancy, can be useful, considering that stretch marks are carried for a lifetime and there is no conclusive treatment.

Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.

Striae distensae (SD) are common dermal lesions, with significant physical and psychological impact. Many therapeutic modalities are available but none can completely eradicate SD. The most common therapy is the application of topicals used both therapeutically and prophylactically. Even though there are many commercially available topical products, not all have sufficient level of evidence to support their continued use in SD. The aim here was to assess the evidence for the use of topicals in SD and to propose a structured approach in managing SD. A systematic search of published literature and manufacturer website information for topicals in SD was carried out. The results showed that there are few studies (n = 11) which investigate the efficacy of topicals in management of SD. Trofolastin and Alphastria creams demonstrated level-2 evidence of positive results for their prophylactic use in SD. Additionally, tretinoin used therapeutically showed varying results whilst cocoa butter and olive oil did not demonstrate any effect. Overall, there is a distinct lack of evidence for each topical formulation. The majority of topicals failed to mention their effect on early vs. later stages of SD (striae rubrae compared to striae albae) and their role in both prevention and treatment. In conclusion, there is no topical formulation, which is shown to be most effective in eradicating or improving SD. A structured approach in identification and targeted management of symptoms and signs with the appropriate topical is required. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to assess the efficacy of topical products for treatment and prevention of different stages of SD.

Stretch marks during pregnancy: a review of topical prevention.

Striae gravidarum (SG), or stretch marks developing during pregnancy, affect up to 90% of women. While not medically dangerous, SG can be disfiguring, causing emotional and psychological distress. However, studies specifically addressing the prevention of SG, especially during pregnancy, are sparse. Furthermore, the molecular pathogenesis of SG is unclear and may differ from that of striae from other causes. Considering these factors, we review topical modalities that have been used specifically for preventing SG during pregnancy. We identify two major strategies (end points) addressed by these modalities, namely (i) preventing the de novo development of SG and (ii) reducing the severity of SG that have recently developed. We also identify risk factors for the development of SG and suggest that pregnant women with these risk factors are an appropriate target population for prevention. In reviewing the literature, we find that there is limited evidence that centella, and possibly massage with bitter almond oil, may prevent SG and/or reduce their severity. There is weak evidence that hyaluronic acid prevents SG. Tretinoin holds promise for reducing the severity of new-onset SG, but its use is limited by its pregnancy category. Finally, cocoa butter and olive oil are not effective for preventing SG or reducing the severity of lesions. We conclude that reliable methods for preventing SG are scarce. Furthermore, available topical modalities generally lack strong evidence from rigorous, well-designed, randomized controlled trials with ample numbers of subjects. Thus, further research is necessary to elucidate SG pathogenesis, which may lead to effective prevention modalities.

Epidemiología de las estrías gravídicas en España / Epidemiology of striae gravidarum in Spain

Objetivo. Valorar la influencia de diferentes factores en la aparición de estrías antes, durante y después de la gestación. Sujetos y métodos. Estudio epidemiológico observacional sobre la prevalencia e incidencia de estrías gravídicas y no gravídicas en mujeres embarazadas. Se registraron datos de 519 mujeres embarazadas, incluyendo antecedentes tanto ginecoobstétricos como familiares de estrías gravídicas, peso previo al embarazo, talla, índice de masa corporal, tipo de piel, fototipo de Fitzpatrick y uso habitual de cremas o lociones corporales. El análisis multivariante de los factores se utilizó para conocer los componentes asociados de forma independiente con la prevalencia de estrías previas al embarazo, y la incidencia de estas durante la gestación en curso. Resultados. El 85,5% de las mujeres presentaban estrías previas a la gestación asociadas principalmente a embarazos previos (OR = 2,6), a un índice de masa corporal previo al embarazo ≥ 25 (OR = 2,2) y a antecedentes familiares de estrías gravídicas (OR = 1,7). Durante el embarazo en estudio, el 36,8% de las gestantes desarrollaron estrías nuevas, en su mayoría mujeres con sobrepeso u obesidad (OR = 2,2) y menores de 30 años (OR = 1,9). El análisis de los factores permitió asociar un riesgo mayor de estrías al final del embarazo a mujeres con sobrepeso u obesidad previos (OR = 1,8), menores de 30 años (OR = 2,4) y con embarazos previos (OR = 4,3). Conclusiones. La prevención de la aparición de estrías debe realizarse en todos los casos, con especial énfasis en pacientes más jóvenes y con índices de masa corporal altos, debido a su elevado riesgo de desarrollar estrías durante la gestación (AU)

Objective. To assess the influence of different factors on the presence of striae prior to pregnancy as well as the development of new lesions during and after pregnancy. Subjects and methods. An observational epidemiologic study was carried out on the prevalence and incidence of striae gravidarum and stretch marks in pregnant women. Data from 519 pregnant women were registered, including obstetric history, family history of striae gravidarum, weight prior to pregnancy, skin type, Fitzpatrick skin phototype, and current use of body creams and lotions. A multivariate analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the incidence of striae gravidarum during current pregnancy. Results. The prevalence of pre-pregnancy stretch marks was 85.5%, mainly observed in patients with a first pregnancy (OR = 2.6), body mass index ≥ 25 (OR = 2.2), and family history of striae gravidarum (OR = 2.1). The overall incidence of striae gravidarum during pregnancy was 36.8% and most of these patients had a body mass index ≥ 25 (OR = 2.2) and were younger (< 30 years old; OR = 1.9). Risk analysis of all the variables registered indicated a higher risk of striae gravidarum in women who were overweight prior to pregnancy (OR = 1.8), those aged under 30 years (OR = 2.4), and those with previous pregnancies (OR = 4.3). Conclusions. Prevention of striae gravidarum should be recommended in all cases, with special emphasis on younger women and those who are overweight or obese due to their higher risk for the development of these marks during pregnancy (AU)

Prevention of striae gravidarum and quality of life among pregnant Japanese women.

BACKGROUND: striae gravidarum affects the quality of life (QOL) of Japanese pregnant women. Many pregnant women use skin moisturisers to prevent striae gravidarum. However, the relationship between these preventive steps and QOL remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the moisturising effect and QOL of pregnant women in an urban prefecture in central Japan with preventive steps against striae gravidarum. DESIGN AND METHOD: cross-sectional study. Pregnant women at 36 weeks of gestation were recruited at antenatal examinations. SETTING: four private clinics in an urban prefecture in central Japan. PARTICIPANTS: 156 pregnant women consisting of 83 primiparae and 73 multiparae were analysed. MEASUREMENTS: a self-administered questionnaire, the severity of striae gravidarum assessed by Davey's score and the dermatology-specific QOL were assessed by Skindex29. The water content in the stratum corneum of each woman's abdomen was measured with a Moisture checker. The Ethical Committee of Osaka University Medical School approved the study. FINDINGS: the prevalence of striae gravidarum was 37.8% and 121 (77.6%), including 76 (91.6%) primiparae and 45 (61.6%) multiparae, said they used a cream and/or lotion in an attempt to prevent striae gravidarum. The water content in the stratum corneum of the abdominal wall increased significantly after using cream and/or lotion (p=0.001). The severity and presence of striae gravidarum were not correlated with the preventive steps or water content in the stratum corneum of the abdominal wall (p=0.330 and p=0.835). Pregnant women who took the preventive steps showed higher scores for emotion on Skindex29 than those who did not (p=0.002). Although pregnant women with striae gravidarum showed a lower QOL for emotion than those without striae gravidarum (p=0.045), those who took the preventive steps maintained a similar level of QOL for emotion regardless of striae gravidarum. There have been few trials evaluating the QOL of pregnant women with striae gravidarum so a comparison of results among studies and determination of an appropriate sample size could not be conducted. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: preventive steps increase the amount of water content in the stratum corneum but this does not prevent striae gravidarum. Although pregnant women with striae gravidarum showed a lower QOL for emotion, the preventive steps were correlated with the level of QOL for emotion in pregnant women with striae gravidarum. Midwives need to absorb such information and recommend moisturising skin care for pregnant women.

Striae distensae: a comprehensive review and evidence-based evaluation of prophylaxis and treatment.

Striae distensae are an extremely common, therapeutically challenging form of dermal scarring. Risk factors have been reported but much remains to be understood about their epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Up-to-date knowledge of the scientific research and the evidence behind both preventative and therapeutic agents are vital in order to understand striae and to offer patients the best therapeutic alternatives. We present a clinical review of the current literature concerning striae distensae and their prevention and treatment. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using Medline, Embase and Google Scholar. Articles in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish and French were included. Striae distensae occur in pregnancy, puberty and obesity as well as in numerous medical conditions and following therapeutic interventions. Proposed aetiological mechanisms relate to hormones, physical stretch and structural alterations to the integument. Assessment methods include subjective visual scoring and various imaging modalities. Treatments that we have evaluated include topical agents, used prophylactically or therapeutically, as well as light and laser therapies, which have shown improvements in the appearance of striae. Few high level evidence based medicine randomized controlled trials evaluating treatments for striae distensae exist. Topical therapeutic agents appear to lack efficacy in the prevention of striae distensae.

Use of a specific anti-stretch mark cream for preventing or reducing the severity of striae gravidarum. Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

Few studies have tested the efficacy of commercially available cosmetic products for preventing striae gravidarum. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy on prevention of striae gravidarum using a specific anti-stretch mark cream containing hydroxyprolisilane-C, rosehip oil, Centella asiatica triterpenes and vitamin E. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted between November 2009 and April 2011. Pregnant women were included and classified as treated group (emollient and moisturizer containing hydroxyprolisilane C, rosehip oil, Centella asiatica triterpenes and vitamin E) and control group (cream without the active ingredients). Overall incidence of stretch marks during pregnancy was 33.3% for the control group and 37.6% for the treated group (n.s.). Severity of previous stretch marks significantly increased in the control group during the study (17.8%, P = 0.001), but not in the treated group (6.3%, ns). In women who developed new stretch marks during the study, there was a significantly greater 'difference in severity' (between baseline and maximum severity) in control group vs. treated group (0.47 [0.57] vs. 0.14 [0.60], P = 0.031). In women without previous striae, incidence of these marks was significantly lower for the treated group patients compared with control group (5.6% vs. 35%, P = 0.031, OR: 9.2 [95% CI: 1.0-83.3]). The use of the anti-stretch mark product is proved to be effective in reducing severity of the striae during pregnancy, prevents the appearance of new striae and halts progression of those already present. In women who had no striae at baseline, use of the anti-stretch mark cream was more effective than placebo in preventing new stretch marks.

Topical preparations for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Striae gravidarum (stretch marks developing during pregnancy) occur in 50% to 90% of women. They appear as red or purple lines or streaks that fade slowly to leave pale lines or marks on the skin. The abdomen, breasts and thighs are commonly affected. The exact cause of stretch marks is unclear and no preparation has yet been shown to be effective in preventing the development of stretch marks. They are a source of significant anxiety for women, impacting on their quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of topical preparations on the prevention of stretch marks in pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 October 2011) and reference lists of retrieved reports. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing topical preparations (with active ingredients) with other topical preparations (with active ingredients), with a placebo (that is, preparations without active ingredients) or with no treatment for the prevention of stretch marks in pregnant women. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three review authors independently assessed trial eligibility and trial quality, and extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy. The primary outcome was the presence of stretch marks and the secondary outcome was the severity of stretch marks. MAIN RESULTS: We included six trials involving 800 women. Of the six trials, we judged the risk of bias for three as 'low risk' for random sequence generation, blinding of participants and personnel, blinding of outcome assessment, completeness of outcome data and selective reporting.There was no statistically significant average difference in the development of stretch marks in women who received topical preparations with active ingredients compared to women who received a placebo or no treatment (average risk ratio (RR) 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 to 1.03; five trials, 474 women; random-effects model, Tau² = 0.09, I² = 65%) (Analysis 1.1).Results were consistent with the main effects when we performed a sensitivity analysis excluding studies judged to be at high risk of bias for random sequence generation, allocation concealment or more than 20% missing data for a given outcome (average RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.60 to 1.10; four trials, 424 women; random-effects model, Tau² = 0.05, I² = 57%).The was no statistically significant average mean difference in the severity of stretch marks (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.31; 95% CI -1.06 to 0.44; two trials, 255 women; Tau² = 0.26, I² = 87%).There was no statistically significant difference in the development of stretch marks in women who received topical preparations with active ingredients compared to women who received other topical preparations with active ingredients (average RR 0.51; 95% CI 0.16 to 1.60; two trials, 305 women; Tau² = 0.53, I² = 74%). There was no statistically significant difference in the severity of stretch marks (mean difference (MD) -0.20; 95% CI -0.53 to 0.13; one trial, 206 women; heterogeneity not applicable). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found no high-quality evidence to support the use of any of the topical preparations in the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy. There is a clear need for robust, methodologically rigorous randomised trials involving larger sample sizes to evaluate the effects of topical preparations on the development of stretch marks in pregnancy. In addition, it is important that preparations commonly used by women to prevent and treat stretch marks are evaluated within the context of robust, methodologically rigorous and adequately powered randomised trials.

The effect of olive oil on prevention of striae gravidarum: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Striae gravidarum (SG) is one of the cutaneous physiological changes during pregnancy with a high prevalence. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of olive oil in prevention of SG. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Health care centers and three Hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. PARTICIPANTS: 100 nulliparous pregnant women. INTERVENTIONS: Fifty women were randomly allocated to each study group. The treatment group received 1 cc topical olive oil twice a day to apply on the abdominal skin in a gentle manner without massaging it until the delivery. Control group did not receive any cream or oil during the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of SG and its severity was recorded at the end of the study. RESULTS: Although the frequency of severe SG was lower in the users of olive oil compared to the other group, no statistically significant difference was found between the two experimental groups and the control group in the incidence and the severity of SG. CONCLUSION: Olive oil reduces the incidence of severe SG and increases the incidence of mild SG, but it does not significantly reduce the incidence and the severity of SG and it could not be recommended for SG prevention.

Las estrías y su prevención / No disponible

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