Iranian research team — They applied Er:YAG laser+SVF, laser+PRP, and laser+saline (placebo) to three stretch mark lesions of a patient and compared changes in skin thickness and density after three months.
SC301 Clinic · Stem Cell Research Series · Single Paper Based · Er:YAG Laser + SVF Combination Injection
Original paper information:
Roohaninasab M, Mahdi Z, Zare S, Dehghani A, Goodarzi A, Najar Nobari N, Zeinali R, Nouri M, Ebrahimi Z, Nilforoushzadeh MA, Behrangi E.
“Evaluation and Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Erbium YAG Laser Along With Normal Saline vs. Its Combination With Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the Treatment of Striae Distensae: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial”
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025;24(1):e16757.
doi: 10.1111/jocd.16757. PMID: 39838551.IRCT20200127046282N14.
Affiliation: Iran Multi-institutional Collaborative Research (Dermatology)
Stretch Marks, a "No Right Answer" Area of Treatment
Stretch marks (Striae Distensae)It is a mark caused by the breakdown of the collagen and elastin structures in the dermis as the skin stretches rapidly due to factors such as pregnancy, rapid weight changes, or puberty. Various treatments, including fractional lasers, microneedles, and PRP, have been attempted, but There is still no standard treatment that can be called the "correct answer."
This study, among them Based on the Er:YAG laser, whether to add SVF, PRP, or nothing at allWe directly compared it within the same patient.
How would the results differ if different combinations were applied to three different stretch mark lesions on the same person? An Iranian research team investigated this using a double-blind method on 12 subjects and 36 lesions.
Research Design — Comparing three combinations simultaneously within one person
The most significant feature of this study is Randomly divide at least three stretch mark lesions within a single patient and apply different combinations simultaneously.The point is that under conditions where age, skin type, and lifestyle are exactly the same, only the pure difference in effectiveness of the three treatments can be compared.
Lesion 1
Laser + SVF
Intradermal injection of SVF into the lesion after Er:YAG laser
Lesion 2
Laser + PRP
Intradermal injection of PRP into the lesion after Er:YAG laser
Lesion 3
Laser + Saline (placebo)
Inject physiological saline into the lesion after Er:YAG laser treatment.
Biometric Indicators — Quantifying the Skin from Multiple Perspectives
How were skin changes objectively measured?
In this study Cutometer (skin elasticity), Corneometer (moisture), Transcutaneous Water Loss Analyzer, Ultrasonic Thickness and Density Analyzer We quantified skin conditions by lesion using various biometric devices. The measurement items include Total thickness, epidermal thickness, dermal thickness, total density, epidermal density, dermal density...was included.
Thanks to these multi-angle measurements, it’s not just that it “looks good” Whether the skin structure itself is actually recoveringWe were able to confirm.
3 months later — The most distinct change among the three combinations
Key Results
All three groups showed improvement in some indicators, such as total thickness, epidermal thickness, and dermal thickness, but Only the SVF group showed a significant increase in epidermal density (45.95 → 51.19, p=0.001)...did. There was no significant change in epidermal density in the PRP group and the placebo group. The SVF group Greater improvement than the other two groups in total thickness, dermal thickness, total density, epidermal density, and dermal densityshowed.
1
Epidermal density — Significantly increased only in the SVF group
The epidermal density of the SVF group is Significantly increased from 45.95 to 51.19However (p=0.001), there was no statistically significant change in the PRP and placebo groups. This means that among the three combinations, only SVF clearly led to epidermal regeneration.
2
The SVF group showed the greatest improvement across all thickness and density indicators.
When combining total thickness, dermal thickness, total density, epidermal density, and dermal density The average improvement in the SVF group was significantly greater than that of the PRP and placebo groups. It is interpreted that SVF additionally induced structural recovery that could not be achieved by lasers alone.
3
Highest patient and medical staff satisfaction in the SVF group
Patient satisfaction ratings and medical staff satisfaction ratings All were highest in the SVF group (p=0.001). The reliability of the results is supported by the fact that objective measurements and subjective satisfaction pointed in the same direction.
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No significant side effects were reported.
In all three groups No significant side effects related to treatment were reported. Considering that it was performed in a single procedure, this can be seen as evidence that the addition of SVF can be applied without significant burden in terms of safety.
Summary of results by lesion
Why was SVF particularly prominent in stretch marks?
Stretch marks are a condition in which the collagen and elastin structures of the dermis are destroyed. While lasers alone are limited to inducing regeneration through surface stimulation, SVF is Direct supply of cell and growth factorsThe approach itself is different in that it does so.
Stimulation of collagen synthesis
Adipose stem cells (ASCs) stimulate fibroblasts to promote collagen production
Supports epidermal regeneration
Various cells contained in SVF are directly involved in the recovery of epidermal density
Promotion of angiogenesis
Vascular endothelial cells and progenitor cells contribute to improving blood flow at the lesion site
Complementary relationship with laser
The regenerative stimulation of the laser and the cell supply of SVF work complementarily.
What this study says — adding a basis to an area with no definitive answers
The significance of this study is The fact that it directly answered the practical question of "what to add to the laser"...among adding PRP, adding SVF, and adding nothing, this study The addition of SVF led to the most distinct structural improvements and satisfaction.presented the grounds.
A design that simultaneously compares three conditions within the same patient allows for the identification of statistically significant differences even with a small sample size. In the field of stretch mark treatment, where there is no definitive answer yet, this study demonstrates that the "Laser + SVF" combination is a strong candidate.
The conclusion reached by the paper
In stretch mark treatment, to the Er:YAG laser Lesions treated with SVF showed better results in thickness and density indicators, as well as patient and medical staff satisfaction, compared to lesions treated with PRP or saline alone.showed.
The research team The combination of laser and SVF can be considered an effective and safe method for treating stretch marks.They concluded that follow-up studies of a larger scale and longer follow-up period are necessary.
Stories from SC301 Clinic
People struggling with stretch marks often say, "Even with laser treatment, the marks do not disappear completely." This study reveals the reasons for this and directions for improvement.
While lasers are effective for inducing regeneration through surface stimulation, they have limitations in restoring collagen and elastin structures deep within the dermis. By adding adipose stem cells, structural recovery can be supplemented by directly supplying cells and growth factors.
SC301 Clinic continuously reviews the evidence for stretch mark treatment, and A combination approach that complements the limitations of laser-only treatmentWe will incorporate this into our medical practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was SVF particularly prominent in stretch marks?
Stretch marks are a condition in which the collagen and elastin structures of the dermis are destroyed. While lasers alone are limited to inducing regeneration through surface stimulation, SVF takes a fundamentally different approach in that it directly supplies cell and growth factors. Adipose stem cells (ASCs) stimulate collagen synthesis by stimulating fibroblasts to promote collagen production, supporting epidermal regeneration.
