The effect of topical Rosa Damascena Mill. and Sesamum Indicum L. oils on the avoidance of striae gravidarum: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction Striae gravidarum (SG) is the most prevalent physiological skin change experienced by pregnant women during gestation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of topical Sesamum indicum L. (Sesame) and Rosa damascena Mill. (R. damascena) oils because of their skin healing properties in preventing SG in nulliparous females. Methods This study was a triple-blinded, randomized, controlled trial conducted on 150 nulliparous mothers in the age group of 18 to 35 from 16-20 weeks of pregnancy. Participants were randomly assigned to the R. damascena oil, Sesame oil, or placebo group with a 1:1:1 randomization ratio. They received the allocated intervention of 1g, twice/day, without massaging the abdomen for 20 weeks. Socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics and SG risk factors were completed at baseline. Davey's and Kamini's methods were used as data-gathering tools for assessing striae and itching. Results There were no significant differences between study groups in baseline characteristics. The occurrence of striae between 35-38 weeks of pregnancy was similar (72%, 74%, and 74% among R. damascena oil, Sesame oil, and the placebo group, respectively) (p=0.919). More than 50% of participants had severe SG. The itching was reported by 40%, 54%, and 40% of participants among the R. damascena oil, Sesame oil, and control groups, respectively (p=0.129), which was mild mostly. Skin redness and itching following topical oil use were the reported side effects. Based on multiple-logistic regression, age [(adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) (95% CI): 0.82 (0.74 to 0.92), p<0.001], weight (aOR (95% CI): 1.1 (1.02 to 1.18), p=0.017), BMI (p=0.061), family income (p=0.028), and exercise (aOR (95% CI): 3.73 (1.22 to 1.22), p=0.021), were determined as the predictors of SG. Conclusion This study indicated that using R. damascene and Sesame oil 10% did not affect the incidence and severity of striae and itching compared to the control.