Visual Properties of Striae Distensae of Chinese Women

Abstract

Background: Striae Distensae (SD) or stretch marks are manifestations of epidermal atrophy that would arise from a combination of hormonal factors and mechanical stretching and that are characterized by distinct microstructural features. The objective of this in vivo study was to investigate the biophysical properties of recent versus old SD in a Chinese population. Methods: A cohort of 110 Chinese women, aged between 21 and 45 years old, were recruited. Fifty-five presented recent and inflamed SD while the other 55 volunteers suffered old and scarred SD. Morphological characteristics and anatomical distribution of the SD were evaluated by a trained expert. Contrast, entropy and anisotropy of SD were obtained from cross-polarized images and skin glossiness was computed from parallel and cross-polarised images. Spectrocolorimetric data were used to calculate colour and estimate chromophores concentration in SD and in adjacent normal skin. Results: They mainly on the (93.6% of women), the thighs (72.7%) and the hips (83.6%). The recent SD are significantly darker (L*) and redder (a*) than old ones. These colour differences correlate to a higher concentration of skin chromophores in recent SD. Texture contrast is also more important in recent SD but old SD are brighter while there in no differences in skin texture complexity nor in the directional properties between recent and old SD. Conclusion: The visual contrast of SD can be related to chromophore distribution (recent) or light scattering (old).