Dr. Goldman
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La
Jolla, Calif. - Cellulite cannot be cured. It can, however, be
successfully controlled by a variety of products according to
dermatologist Mitchel P. Goldman, M.D., medical director of the
Laser and Skin Surgery Center of La Jolla, Calif.
Dr. Goldman recently completed a
study using one of the creams available for the treatment of
cellulite combined with the wearing of one side of a pair of
neoprene shorts.. . .Bio Slims He found a decrease in size and an improvement in
appearance of the treated skin.
"There are many things that do
work," Dr. Goldman said. "People use a caffeine cream and that
works. People use suction massage and that works. Many things will
work to help dissolve the fat and improve the lymphatic flow and the
blood flow, which basically causes the fat to involute."
"Cellulite is natural.
Unfortunately, it is what every woman has. Women are supposed to
have it because it allows them to store fat so they can have babies.
It's natural and it's not a horrible, bad thing."
The issue, according to a paper
Dr. Goldman recently wrote, is that the image of beauty in women has
changed within the past three decades.
For centuries, artists portrayed
beautiful women as having few muscles and a thick layer of
subcutaneous fat. Today, the definition of beauty has more defined
muscles without the thick layer of fat.
Following three weeks of using the
shorts and cream nightly, Dr. Goldman noted most patients
reported an improvement in the condition of the treated thigh.
This photo shows a patient in a Bio-ceramic short on one leg
during the study. (Photograph courtesy of Mitchel P. Goldman,
M.D. Reprinted by permission from Cosmetic Surgery Feb
2002;15:17-20)
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That definition change, he said, has led
to the prevailing view of cellulite as a disease. So, people look
for ways to control the appearance of cellulite, which Dr. Goldman
said can be done. "What we, and so many others have found, is that
if you improve the blood flow in the area of the cellulite, the fat
tends to disintegrate a little bit."
"The design of the shorts help the creams penetrate and stimulate the blood flow." When
you add the factor of infrared body heat created by the special
thermal properties of the material you have an increased spa
like effect.
Twelve women initially agreed to
take part in the study for reducing cellulite. The circumference of
their thighs was measured 15 cm and 20 cm distal to the waist before
treatment began, then three weeks after treatment started.
First, the women applied an
herbal cream to one thigh - randomly chosen. To facilitate the
effectiveness of the cream, the bio-ceramic coating of the neoprene
shorts adds to the equation.
The cream was rubbed in nightly,
then the garment donned and worn for about six hours. Following each
treatment, patients were also told to apply an additional
application of the cream before sleep.
Following three weeks of wearing
the shorts 6 hours a day and, applying an additional application of
cream nightly, Dr. Goldman noted all of the patients reported an
improvement in the condition of the treated areas.
- Eight women enjoyed wearing the product and said they would
recommend the system.
- Nine women noticed a change in thigh diameter with only one
woman seeing no change in size of the treated thigh.
- All ten women had smoother skin on thighs and buttocks
areas, which were covered by the cream and shorts.
Because the sizes of the thighs
were similar and the study was small, Dr. Goldman did not break down
the change in size by percentage or do a statistical analysis of the
results, but he said, "The observable results were that the side
that had the shorts came down a half-inch, a quarter-inch. That was
impressive."
Since 1987, a number of companies
have marketed creams designed to reduce the cellulite that occurs in
thighs, and Dr. Goldman said it's accepted that topical products can
stimulate blood flow; the problem is getting the active ingredients
into the fat. "What the shorts do, is heat up the skin layers, and drive the cream
deep into the skin layers".
To be effective, Dr.
Goldman reported the shorts need to be used for several weeks, and
were a good supplemental treatment to reinforce Endermologie or ion therapy massage.
"By undergoing those procedures
once or twice a week for a few weeks, the cellulite goes away, but
you need to continue treatment every week or two to keep the
cellulite from returning," he said.
Dr. Goldman reiterates that a
number of treatments are effective on cellulite, and adds the shorts
are so comfortable and easy to wear; it's a convenient tool for
anyone wanting accelerated results.
Dr. Goldman says he has no
financial interest in either the creams or the shorts.
For more information
- Goldman MP. Cellulite: A Review of Current Treatments.
Cosmetic Dermatology Feb 2002;15:17-20.
