Medical microneedling for the treatment of striae distensae. A prospective study using the exceed Medical Needling Pen

Alessa Kampmann; Richard Bender; Kay Busch; Corinna Bauer; Karina Hettwer; Matthias Aust

doi:10.57662/am.2026.18363

Medical microneedling for the treatment of striae distensae. A prospective study using the exceed Medical Needling Pen

Authors

Alessa Cara Kampmann Department for Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic Surgery and Handsurgery, Johanniter GmbH Waldkrankenhaus, Bonn
Richard Bender Aust Aesthetik, Privat Practice for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Landsberg am Lech
Kay Busch Department for Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic Surgery and Handsurgery, Johanniter GmbH Waldkrankenhaus, Bonn
Corinna Bauer Aust Aesthetik, Privat Practice for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Landsberg am Lech
Karina Hettwer QuoData, Department for Biotechnology, Dresden
Matthias Aust Aust Aesthetik, Privat Practice for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Landsberg am Lech

Keywords:

striae distensae, stretch marks, percutaneous collagen induction

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Striae distensae, commonly known as stretch marks, are benign linear scars that result from excessive skin stretching, e.g., during puberty, pregnancy, weight loss, or Cushing's syndrome. These scars are difficult to treat due to their atrophic, hypopigmented nature (striae albae) or their erythematous, raised appearance (striae rubrae). Microneedling, a form of percutaneous collagen induction therapy, has shown promise in the treatment of various types of scars. This prospective study evaluates the efficacy of microneedling with the EXCEED Medical Needling Pen™ (MT. DERM GmbH, Germany, Berlin) in the treatment of striae distensae and examines skin tightening, firmness, pigmentation, collagen matrix restructuring, and percutaneous collagen induction.

Materials and Methods: A total of 8 subjects with acute and chronic stretch marks on the body were treated once a month over a treatment period of 60-90 days. Assessments were made at the beginning, before each treatment, and three months after treatment. The documented parameters include gender, age, BMI, Fitzpatrick skin type, and location of striae distensae. Objective skin measurements were performed using the Visioscan® VC 20plus (Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) and the Tewa, Mexa, Corneo, Idento, and Cutometer® (Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany). The measurements compare the skin areas affected by striae with the adjacent healthy skin areas as a control group. Standardized questionnaires (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale “POSAS” and Numeric Rating Scale “NRS”) were used by medical staff and the subjects to record subject satisfaction.

Results: The results showed a significant improvement in skin structure, skin smoothness, and wrinkle depth based on the parameters of the anisotropy index, SEsm (sebum amount stratum externum), and SEw (water content stratum externum). The analysis shows that the effect is time-dependent and may vary between patients. Based on the results obtained from questionnaires (POSAS, NRS), the medical examiners and subjects reported a subjective improvement in skin texture. For the first time, objective data with a reproducible treatment algorithm for the therapy of striae distensae are presented. Further evidence is provided that microneedling can have a positive effect on skin structure and quality in striae. Due to the small number of subjects, these significant results can be interpreted as trends in treatment effect. Future studies should include a broader participant demographic and additional follow-up intervals to better understand long-term effects and possible recurrence of striae distensae.

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