The effect of topical application of apple vinegar on striae gravidarum: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: Striae happen to 50–90% of pregnant women and never disappears completely. It is, therefore, a major aesthetic concern for most women, which can cause psychological distress and disturbed body image. This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the topical use of apple vinegar on striae gravidarum. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 23 women referred to health centers in Gonabad city, selected according to inclusion criteria and systematic random method. The right half of the abdomen in each participant was considered as a trial group and the left half as the control. On the trial side, apple vinegar was massaged onto striae twice daily for 1 month. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, checklist of striae aesthetic change, a pair of calipers and a camera and analyzed in SPSS-20 using descriptive statistics, paired t, and Wilcoxon tests at significance level p<0.05. Results: No significant change was observed in mean length and width of striae in either trial or control sides after the intervention (p>0.05). However, on the trial side, the difference between striae length and width before and after the intervention was statistically significant (p<0.001). A significant difference was observed during intervention in the reduction in striae length and width on trial side (p<0.001). Conclusion: Topical application of apple vinegar effectively reduces the size of striae. Further and longer studies with larger sample size are recommended.