Thermography in anti-cellulite cosmetic therapy

Thermography in anti-cellulite
cosmetic therapy
B. Tyszczuk1, R. Dębowska1, K. Bazela1, D. Dobrzycka2, M.
Szubert2, I. Eris1
1 Dr Irena Eris Cosmetic Laboratories, Dr
Irena Eris Centre for Science and Research, Warsaw, Poland,
2Dr Irena Eris Cosmetic Laboratories, Technological
Department, Warsaw, Poland
Introduction & Objectives
Cellulite (lipodystrophy) is a very common skin problem, which manifested by alterations in
the subcutaneous tissue, leading to changes in smoothness of skin surface. The aim of this
study was to evaluate and compare efficacy of two different anti-cellulite therapy using
noninvasive thermography technique.
Materials & Methods
The study was performed in two groups of volunteers. Both groups tested the same shower gel and scrub and different body
care product, twice a day. Group I (n=10) used body massage cream (containing Laminaria ochroleuca extract as a source
of natural MMP inhibitors, cocoa soft butter and carrot oil) and group II (n=10) used body balm (containing Laminaria
ochroleuca extract, slimming complex Svetline®, peptide Collaxyl®, esculin, Centella asiatica extract, coffein and Lcarnitine).
Estimation and changes of clinical stage of cellulite was analyzed by dermatologists according to protocol and by patients
according to questionnaire. Anti-cellulite effects were calculated using Therma CAM s.c. FLIR Systems as a decrease in
body temperature gradient in the examined body area. The changes in thigh’s girth were measured in centimeters. The skin
diagnosis was performed before and after 4 weeks of therapy.
Results
Clinical stage of cellulite performed by thermography technique showed positive changes in both
examined groups. Better results were observed in group II. Thermography reveled -0,6˚C decrease
of temperature gradient for 70% of volunteers in exanimate body area and decrease in thigh’s grith
-2,1 cm. In group I decrease of temperature gradient was -0,4˚C for 70% of volunteers, and
decrease in thigh - 1,7 cm.
Fig1. Temperature gradient (ΔT=3,7ºC) before treatment with anticellulite program containing body balm.
Fig2. Temperature gradient (ΔT=2,1ºC) after treatment with anticellulite program containing body balm.
Results: self-evaluation
Self-evaluation of both anti-cellulite treatments confirmed high quality of tested products
and theirs high efficacy, especially in skin soothing, firmness, moisturization and
nourishing. Skin soothing and moisturization was improved mostly after application of body
balm, which was confirmed by 100% of volunteers.
100
80
90
90
100
73
% of volunteers
100
80
91
80 82
0
60
60
-10
40
20
cellulite reduction
body fat reduction
-27
-27
nourishing
volume and number of skin
imperfections
group II
moisturization
firmness
smoothing
group I
Fig. 3. Self-assessment of the effects of anti-cellulite programs.
[%]
-20
0
-30
-40
-48
-50
group I
-40
group II
Fig. 4. Self- evaluation of the most important factors: cellulite and
body fat reduction after 4 weeks of using anti-cellulite cosmetics.
Conclusions
Thermography is a very useful technique, that provides an objective assessments of
the effectiveness of anti-cellulite treatment. It’s also a tool which is sensitive enough
to compare anti-cellulite effects of different body care products.
Our study showed a significant differences between two tested cosmetic therapy’s.
Although massage cream should be more effective (due to skin massage) our
research showed, that body balm (containing more active ingredients) was more
efficient.