Cellulite Treatment Forum

A new study published in June by Drs. Alster and Tanzi of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC, has demonstrated the efficacy of a novel combination approach to treating cellulite. Their method involved the combination of radiofrequency, infrared light, and mechanical tissue manipulation to improve cellulite.

According to the published work, the method involved “Twenty adult women (ages 25-57 years) of various skin phototypes (I-V), and with moderate bilateral thigh and buttock cellulite, received eight biweekly treatments to a randomly selected side (the contralateral side serving as a non-treated control). A combined bipolar radiofrequency, infrared light, and mechanical suction-based massage device was applied at 20 watts RF, 20 watts IR (700-1500 nm) light, and 200 millibar vacuum (750 mmHg negative pressure). Patients were evaluated using standardized digital photography and circumferential leg measurements at baseline, prior to each treatment session, and at one, three, and six months after the final treatment. Clinical improvement scores of comparable photographs using a quartile grading scale (0 = or < 25%, 1 = 25%-50%, 2 = 51%-75%, 3 = or >75% improvement) were made independently by two masked medical assessors after the series of treatments. Final post-treatment body weight and patients’ subjective evaluations were recorded.”

The results of the study indicated that 90% of the patients noticed improvement and 17 out of 18 saying they would pursue treatment on the contralateral thigh. The study said the conclusions were: “Cellulite can be significantly and safely reduced with the use of a noninvasive device that combines bipolar RF, infrared light, and mechanical massage. The effects of treatment appear to be prolonged, but maintenance treatments may be necessary to further enhance the clinical results achieved.”

What are the thoughts of the blog participants on this?

The information found on this website is not designed to replace the patient/physician relationship.

Laser and heat-based therapies for the treatment of cellulite are increasingly in the news. We have heard Syneron has received FDA approval for their ELOS device for the treatment of cellulite, and now a new study from Thailand discusses the efficacy of RF for cellulite treatment.

The Department of Dermatology at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand performed a research study on 12 patients with a RF-light based device. The subjects were treated twice weekly for a total of eight to nine treatments.

According to the study, “Subjects were evaluated using standardized photographs, and measurements of body weight and circumference of treatment sites at baseline, immediately after the last treatment, and four weeks and one year after the last treatment. Clinical improvement scores of comparable photographs using a quartile grading scale (0 = <25%, 1 = 25-50%, 2 = 51-75%, 3 = >75% improvement) were judged independently by two non-treating dermatologists after the series of treatment.”

The results of the study concluded that abipolar RF, IR heat and pulsatile suction device provides a beneficial effect on reduction of abdomen and thigh circumference, and smoothening of the cellulite.

The statistics of the study: “The average body weights at baseline, immediately after the last treatment, and four weeks and one year after the complete treatment were 56.30, 56.05, 56.23, and 56.53 kg, respectively. The average circumferential reductions of the abdomen and thigh at the last treatment visit were 5.17 +/- 1.04 cm (6.32%+/- 1.82%) and 3.50 +/- 2.16 cm (6.23 +/- 3.58%), respectively. At four weeks after the last treatment, the average circumferential reductions of the abdomen and thigh were sustained at 3.17 +/- 2.75 cm (4.04%+/- 3.69%) and 3.50 +/- 2.04 cm (6.26%+/- 3.52%), respectively. At one year follow-up visit, the average circumferential reductions of the abdomen and thigh were maintained at 3.83 +/- 0.76 cm (4.64%+/- 1.15%) and 3.13 +/- 3.54 (5.50%+/- 6.12%), respectively. Average clinical improvement scores of the abdomen and thigh after the series of treatments were 0.75 (corresponding to ~25% improvement), and 1.75 (corresponding to ~50% improvement), respectively.”

Does anyone have an opinion or thoughts on this?

The information found on this website is not designed to replace the patient/physician relationship.

Welcome to our new physician forum on treating cellulite. Cellulite is a problem we often are asked to treat by countless patients. There are a variety of treatments out there, with drastically divergent results, and many with little or no science to support the hype. The purpose of this forum will be to create a repository for physicians to post their thoughts, idea, clinical work, and feedback on the myriad treatments now being marketed.

Cellulite is a common problem and bad information about it is even more common. Hopefully this forum will establish a place for us to communicate reliable information back and forth. We invite the medical community to make posts and suggestions and we are open to ideas about ways to improve the forum as well. We thank you for visiting and welcome you back.

Best Regards,

Medical Advisory Board,

CelluliteTreatment.MD

The information found on this website is not designed to replace the patient/physician relationship.