Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fractional carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser versus carboxytherapy in treatment of striae distensae. Study Design/Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on forty female patients with striae distensae on the abdomen. Patients were selected and divided randomly into two matched groups; group I was treated with fractional CO 2 laser resurfacing and group II with carboxytherapy. Assessment and evaluation of the results were done by comparing photographs and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Results: Pregnancy, obesity, and long-term steroid use were the most common causes of striae in both groups. Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in both the width and length of striae with no statistically significant difference between them. Patients' satisfaction was comparable in both groups. Pain and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation were the two most common side effects in group I while bruising at the injection site was the most common in group II. Conclusions: Both modalities could be effective in management of striae distensae. Lasers Surg. Med.

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