Cellulite treatment: A myth or reality: A prospective randomized, controlled trial of two therapies, endermologie and aminophylline cream

Cellulite is a common phenomenon that particularly affects the thighs and b uttocks of women. Little scientific evidence exists to support any of the m any advertised treatments for it. A total of 52 of 69 women, who were divid ed into three groups, completed a 12-week, randomized, controlled trial in which the effectiveness of two different treatments for cellulite was asses sed-The patients acted as their own controls. The treatments investigated w ere twice-daily application of aminophylline cream and twice-weekly treatme nt with Endermologie ESI. Group 1 (double blind). received aminophylline to one thigh/buttock and a placebo cream to the other. Group 2 (singly blind) received Endermologie to one thigh/buttock. Group 3 received Endermologie to both sides and used the same cream regimen as group 1. Results were asse ssed subjectively by the patient and by clinical examination and photograph ic assessment by the surgeon (before and after the trial). Morphologic asse ssment included body mass index, thigh girth at two points, and thigh fat d epth measurement by ultrasound. No statistical difference existed in measur ements between legs for any of the treatment groups (paired t test, p > 0.4 ); The best subjective assessment, by the patients themselves, revealed tha t only 3 of 35 aminophylline-treated legs and 10 of 35 Endermologie-treated legs had their cellulite appearance improved. The authors do not believe c hat either of these two treatments is effective in improving the appearance of cellulite.