Overview

4.6 out of 5 (21 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

19 May 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6686 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7946.5 hours of CME.

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Activity Description

Striae distensae, or stretch marks, are a common dermatological condition characterized by linear, dermal scars that develop due to rapid skin stretching and disruption of dermal connective tissue. They are associated with physiological and pathological conditions involving hormonal changes or mechanical stress, such as pregnancy, puberty, weight fluctuations, muscle hypertrophy, Cushing syndrome, corticosteroid use, and genetic disorders such as Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Common sites include the abdomen, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms, and lower back. Although benign, striae can cause significant cosmetic distress. Striae are often challenging to treat, and a better understanding of their causes, prevention strategies, and treatment options can help patients manage their appearance and promote overall skin health. Diagnosis is clinical and should be distinguished from other linear dermatoses. Although topical therapies are widely used, they have limited supporting evidence. Device-based treatments—such as laser therapy, microneedling, and radiofrequency—may improve texture and stimulate collagen, but standardized treatment protocols and long-term data are lacking.

This activity provides an evidence-based overview of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and treatment options for striae distensae. This activity also reviews the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and recent advancements in both preventive and therapeutic strategies, including topical agents, laser therapies, and minimally invasive procedures. Additionally, this activity emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration among healthcare providers and prepares clinicians to effectively counsel patients, differentiate striae from other dermatoses, and implement individualized, patient-centered management plans that address both medical and cosmetic concerns.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical features, common locations, and stages (rubrae versus albae) of striae distensae across different patient populations.

  • Implement evidence-based treatment options for striae distensae based on the stage, severity, and patient preferences.

  • Select topical, procedural, and emerging therapies with demonstrated efficacy for the management of striae rubrae and striae albae.

  • Collaborate with an interprofessional healthcare team to educate affected patients on the medical and psychological concerns related to striae distensae.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Michelle s. on 9/21/2021

Dr.Mallikarjun K. on 5/7/2022

MANJARI G. on 6/25/2022

MANJARI G. on 7/31/2022

Jeanine N. on 10/22/2022

Michelle D. on 1/17/2023

Stefanie B. on 1/26/2023

Ashlie S. on 5/16/2023

Jana T. on 6/1/2023

Lauren C. on 6/2/2023

Neeraj H. on 6/27/2023

Corey E. on 10/30/2023

Angela Y. on 11/13/2023

Nichole M. on 1/29/2024

Katherine L. on 3/14/2024

Jerin M. on 5/14/2024

Revathi K. on 5/30/2024

Aneesh M. on 5/31/2024

Dylan B. on 7/11/2024

Bergen S. on 10/29/2024

Sarah R. on 10/30/2024

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6686 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7946.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$329 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$499 per 1 year per user