Section : Articles

Anti-cellulite Treatment With Radiofrequency

The effectiveness of anticellulite treatment using tripolar radiofrequency monitored by classic and high-frequency ultrasound.

Mlosek RK, Woźniak W, Malinowska S, Lewandowski M, Nowicki A.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Jun;26(6):696-703. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04148.x. Epub 2011 Jun 21.

In this article, the authors propose a treatment which would be effective against cellulite. The treatment consists of a tripolar radiofrequency device (Chinese)

  • 28 women (average age 37 years old) received the treatment compared to 17 (average age 41) were included in the placebo group
  • results were evaluated with ultrasound and showed
  1. reduction of the thickness of the epidermis and hypodermis (subcutaneous fat)
  2. increase of the hyperechogenic signal which suggests  an increase in the quantity of collagen
  3. reduction of the fat projections of the subcutaneous fat into the dermis
  4. reduction of edeme (oedema)
  • Commentary
  1. This Polish study shows interesting results including clinically (photographs)
  2. The study is done on a small number of patients and there is a 4 year difference between the treated and the placebo group. One can wonder if there is a difference of prevalence and severity of cellulite between those two ages.
  3. No difference was noted between the placebo group  before and after. After all, there was no treatment.

A word on cellulite

  • Cellulite affects 85% of females
  • The cause remains unknown
  • Radiofrequency is a method which aims at stimulating the production of fibroblasts which will produce collagen# and *elastin

#gives to the skin its firmness

*gives to the skin its elasticity