40-th Annual ESDR MEETING, 8-11 September 2010, Helsinki
Effect of anti-cellulite treatment on skin condition –
instrumental and subjective analysis
Bazela K. , Debowska R ., Tyszczuk B. , Kazmierczak E. , Mlosek K. , Rogiewicz K. , Eris I.
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Dr Irena Eris Cosmetic Laboratories, Dr Irena Eris Centre for Science and Research, Warsaw, Poland; 2 Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Introduction
The presence of cellulite is an aestetically unacceptable cosmetic problem for many post-adolescent women worldwide. Therefore, appropriate research to investigate treatment options
and objective methods measuring its efficacy are warranted. Recent studies using new diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound imaging can very well define cellulite-reducing efficacy
of cosmetics. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cellulite treatment (topicaly applied cream and oral supplementation) on volunteers’ skin condition
using non-invasive investigation techniques.
Materials and Methods
The efficacy of anti-cellulite treatment was assessed in a double blind placebo controlled trial. The study involved healthy female volunteers aged 25 between 55 presenting a cellulite
of the thighs. They took dietary supplement or placebo 2 times daily and applied anticellulite or placebo cream once daily during 4 weeks. Placebo treatment did not comprise
active ingredients. The instrumental analysis was performed using 13MHz ultrasound (Esoate Technos), as well as Corneometer® probe and Visioscan® camera (Courage-Khazaka
Electronic GmbH). Each volunteer also completed a survey concerning their own evaluation of the treatment.
Results
Skin condition after 4-weeks anti-cellulite treatment
INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS
roughness [SEr]
140
change from baseline [%]
120
wavy surface in
comparison
to streched surface
[Surface]
volume, depth and
number
of skin folds
[Volume]
moisturization
127%
112%
100
100%
100%
80
81%
anti-cellulite
treatment =
28 patients
80%
78%
70%
60
100%
100%
100%
placebo =
21 patients
60%
40
20
0
before
anti- placebo
treatment -cellulite
treatment
before
anti- placebo
treatment -cellulite
treatment
before
anti- placebo
treatment -cellulite
treatment
before
anti- placebo
treatment -cellulite
treatment
Skin roughness was investigated by Visioscan® camera.
In the present study, Volume, Surface and SEr parameters
were analysed. Anti-cellulite treatment resulted in a decrease
in the number, depth and volume of skin folds. The skin surface
was smoothen. Placebo treatment was less effective.
Skin moisturization was evaluated by means of
corneometry. Four week long anti-cellulite treatment
(cream + supplement) led to an increase in corneometer
values compared to baseline thus demonstrating the test
products potential to improve skin hydration. Interestingly,
placebo treatment improved skin moisturization as well.
Either placebo cream or placebo gel formula contain
basic ingredients (glicerine, oils) which might improve skin
moisturization.
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
ANTI-CELLULITE TREATMENT
subcutaneous tissue
thickness
25
30
echogenicity [pixels]
thickness [mm]
thickness [mm]
20
19000
15
18000
10
5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
5
volunteer
after treatment
10
20000
before
15
dermis echogenicity
21000
25
20
0
dermis + subcutaneous tissue
thickness
17000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
16000
volunteer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
volunteer
PLACEBO
subcutaneous tissue
thickness
30
35
10
5
echogenicity [pixels]
15
17200
23
16400
17
15600
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
volunteer
5
after treatment
thickness [mm]
29
20
dermis echogenicity
18000
before
thickness [mm]
25
dermis + subcutaneous tissue
thickness
14800
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
14000
volunteer
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Skin thickness was evaluated by means of 13MHz
ultrasound probe. Dermis echogenicity was
measured using the number of pixels.
Our study demonstrated that the thickness of the
dermis-subcutaneous tissue and the subcutaneous
tissue were decreased after 4 week long anti-cellulite
treatment.
Moreover, the comparison of echogenicity before
and after anti-cellulite therapy displayed an increase in
dermis echogenicity most probably due to rebuilding
of collagen fibres during anti-cellulite therapy.
Placebo treatment had no effect on skin structure –
we did not observed any changes in dermis thickness
and echogenicity. USG analysis gave specific results
and could be used to distinguish active treatment from
placebo.
15
volunteer
VOLUNTEERS EVALUATION
The properties of anti-cellulite and placebo treatment
scale: 1 - bad, 5 - excellent
ANTI-CELLULITE
placebo
4
4
FIRMING
4,4
4,5
SMOOTHING
SLIMMING
anti-cellulite treatment
3,5
3,6
3,3
3,4
Conclusion
Each volunteers completed a survey concerning their
own evaluation of anti-cellulite therapy. There was
no differences between anti-cellulite and placebo
treatment - both were well evaluated by the volunteers.
No skin irritation was observed. The volunteers
described their skin as more elastic, smoothed and
cellulite as less visible. Volunteers evaluation did not
differentiate between anti-cellulite treatment and
placebo. Objective measurements are definitely
needed to prove efficacy of cosmetics.
Our results presented above indicated that ultrasonography can be applied in the monitoring of anti-cellulite treatment. We demonstrated that oral supplementation and topical application of anticellulite
cream improved skin structure parameters (dermis thickness and echogenicity). None of USG parameters improved after placebo treatment. We conclude that ultrasound imaging and skin condition
analysis can very well define cellulite-reducing efficacy from cosmetic point of view. However, additional research is definitely needed to standardize the objective assessment of cellulite treatment.