Single session cellulite treatment shows some efficacy

A single treatment for cellulite, which affects 85 percent of women, can reduce the appearance of fat on patients’ buttocks and thighs for five years, according to results of a multi-year effectiveness study. (©AdobeStock_165466987)

A single treatment for cellulite, which affects 85 percent of women, can reduce the appearance of fat on patients’ buttocks and thighs for five years, according to results of a multi-year effectiveness study.

Presented at the 2018 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery annual meeting, data from Merz, a medical aesthetics company, demonstrated one session with Cellfina, a minimally-invasive procedure designed to reduce cellulite visibility, provides long-lasting improvement for five years, longer than previously believed. Existing data showed the effects remained for three years.

“With this new five-year data, patients and physicians should feel confident that Cellfina is the right step toward proven, noticeable, and lasting results in the improvement appearance of cellulite,” said Michael Kaminer, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon and Cellfina group study member. “Creams and other cellulite treatment lead to limited patient satisfaction, while Cellfina patients experience enduring results. The study results confirm what we regularly see in practice.”

Cellfina uses tissue stabilized-guided subcision (TS-GS) to stretch and stabilize tissue while simultaneously providing integrated anesthesia delivery and precise depth control of minimally-invasive tissue release. The procedure allows for cellulite dimple release by treating the structural cause - tethered fibrous septae bands. These bands pull the skin down, creating the tell-tale puckering.

To test efficacy and safety, Merz conducted a prospective, multi-centered study with 55 enrolled female subjects who had moderate-to-severe cellulite on their buttocks and thighs. Each received a single treatment and served as their own control. Of that group, 37 participated in all five years, including follow-up assessments at three days, 14 days, one month, three months, six months, one year, two years, three years, and five years.

Independent physician evaluators reviewed the results by analyzing before-and-after professional photos. They applied a 5-point scale to determine efficacy. At five years, the reviewers rated 100 percent of subjects as having noticeable improvement. The average reduction in cellulite was 1.8 points (p<0.0001).

More specifically, based on a 0-5 scale of cellulite severity, patients saw an average 2.1 point improvement at three months, two point improvement from one to three years, and a 1.8 point improvement after five years. Additionally, 93 percent of patients saw more than one point cellulite severity improvement, as did 94 percent at one year, 89 percent at two years, 91 percent at three years, and 87 percent at five years.

Patients also reported high satisfaction rates at five years, the researchers revealed - 78.4 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with their results. 

REFERENCE

Kaminer, M. “Multi-center Pivotal Study of the Safety & Effectiveness of a tissue Stabilized-Guided Subcision Procedure for the Treatment of Cellulite - 5-year Update.” 2018 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona. Oct. 11, 4:15 p.m.