Treatment of abdominal cellulite and circumference reduction with radiofrequency and dynamic muscle activation

Abstract

Background: Cellulite is a frequent skin condition for which treatment remains a challenge. A wide variety of treatments are available but most procedures offer suboptimal clinical effect and/or delayed therapeutic outcome. Only few therapeutic options have proven efficacy in the treatment of cellulite. Objective: To determine the efficacy and the safety profiles of radiofrequency and dynamic muscle activation technology in treatment of abdominal cellulite and circumference reduction. Methods: Twenty-five females with abdominal cellulite received 6 weekly radiofrequency and dynamic muscle activation treatments. Treatment areas included the abdomen and both sides of flanks. Subjects were evaluated using standardized photographs, and measurements of body weight and abdominal circumference at baseline, before every treatment visit, and 1 week and four weeks after the final treatment. Subcutaneous tissue thickness was recorded by ultrasound at baseline and 4 weeks after completion of treatment protocol. Physicians’ evaluation and patient's satisfaction of clinical improvement were also measured. Results: All subjects completed the treatment protocol and attended every follow-up visits. There was significant abdominal circumference reduction of 2.96 and 2.52 cm at 1-, and 4-week follow-up visits (p < 0.05), respectively. At four weeks after the last treatment, the average circumferential reduction was sustained. Most of the patients were rated to have 25–49% improvement at 5th treatment, and 1- and 4-week follow-up visits. Ninety-two percent of the patients were satisfied with the treatment outcome. Conclusions: Radiofrequency provided beneficial effects on the reduction of abdomen and cellulite appearance. The benefit of muscle activation is yet to be determined.

Key Words::

• cellulite
• dynamic muscle activation
• radiofrequency
• skin tightening

Acknowledgements

This research project is supported by Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. The authors wish to thank Mr. Mark E. Manning for his assistance in editing and revising this manuscript, and Ms. Phassara Klamsawat for her assistance in recruiting subjects and managing the database.

Author contributions

Dr. Wanitphakdeedecha had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Study concept and design: Drs. Wanitphakdeedecha and Manuskiatti

Acquisition of data: Drs. Wanitphakdeedecha, Iamphonrat, Thanomkitti, and Lektrakul

Analysis and interpretation of data: Drs. Wanitphakdeedecha and Thanomkitti

Drafting of the manuscript: Dr. Wanitphakdeedecha

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Dr. Manuskiatti

Statistical analysis: Drs. Iamphonrat and Thanomkitti

Obtained funding: none

Administrative, technical, or material support: Dr. Wanitphakdeedecha

Study supervision: Dr. Manuskiatti

Financial disclosures

Funding/Support: Pollogen™ Ltd.

Role of the Sponsors: the authors received an equipment loan from Pollogen™ Ltd. to use in this study. The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.