Can cellulite be treated with low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy?

Fiorenzo Angehrn, Christoph Kuhn, Axel Voss, Fiorenzo Angehrn, Christoph Kuhn, Axel Voss

Abstract

The present study investigates the effects of low-energy defocused extracorporeal generated shock waves on collagen structure of cellulite afflicted skin. Cellulite measurement using high-resolution ultrasound technology was performed before and after low-energy defocused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in 21 female subjects. ESWT was applied onto the skin at the lateral thigh twice a week for a period of six weeks. Results provide evidence that low-energy defocused ESWT caused remodeling of the collagen within the dermis of the tested region. Improving device-parameters and therapy regimes will be essential for future development of a scientific based approach to cellulite treatment.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schema representing the gender difference of the inner structure of skin and subcutaneous tissue. Modified from Müller and Nürnberger (1972).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Human resources: distributions of 21 female test persons. Left: histogram for age, middle: histogram for body mass index (BMI), right: histogram for grading of cellulite according to Table 1.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Collagenometry (Collagenoson®) taking high-frequency high-resolution ultrasound measurements of the extra-cellular matrix of the skin before and after treatment with low energy defocused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). Case of improvement-score of +2 (clear improvement). Both ultrasound samples taken from the treated area. Determination of improvement-score: dividing the dermis into the side to the epidermis and into the side to the sub-cutis and analyzing the change in the distributions of each side (−1: change to more irregular, 0: no change, 1: change to more regular).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Results: distributions of 21 female test persons. Upper left: histogram for improvement score (see Figure 3, −2 ( ): clear worsening, −1 (□): worsening, 0 (▴): no change, +1 (▪): improvement, +2 (•): clear improvement) from collagenometry (Figure 3). Upper right: improvement score as function of age and cellulite-grade. Lower left: histogram for subjective opinion 0: no improvement, +: little improvement, ++: good improvement (smoothening of skin and more stretched). Lower right: histogram for low energy defocused ESWT tolerance −: negative tolerance (not suitable, some pain), 0: indifferent, +: tolerance positive tolerance (suitable, no pain).

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Source: PubMed

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