Search for ‘holy grail’ cellulite treatment continues

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Despite the many non-invasive and minimally-invasive techniques available on the U.S. market to improve cellulite, an unmet need for a ‘holy grail’ treatment remains, according to a presenter at South Beach Symposium.

“It is not surprising that we have not found a solution for cellulite since it has had so many different names over the years,” Bruce E. Katz, MD, clinical professor of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Hospital, said during a presentation here. “We know that of the 88 million women in the United States, 80% have cellulite — there is a huge interest in the treatment for cellulite, but we have not been able to fulfill realistic expectations for getting this treatment right. Our charge is to rid the world of the scourge of cellulite. But, first, we must understand the actual mechanism itself.”

Cellulite — a skin condition marked by enlarged fat cells trapped in a fibrotic network of fibrous septae located in the hypodermis — is thought to be gender specific.

“There are gender differences — most women have cellulite whereas men do not. Many speculate that cellulite is caused by hormonal issues and others suggest an inflammatory theory, but no theory is 100% certain,” Katz said.

In discussing the variety of non-invasive treatments for cellulite, Katz said results of these treatments are temporary at best.

Alternative treatments include mesotherapy, lipodissolve, carboxytherapy and endermologie. Topical agents include methylxanthines and retinol.

“However, the problem with these agents is that multiple sessions are required, results are not lasting, and maintenance treatment is required,” Katz said. “Then we have minimally invasive techniques, such as subcision, which is useful for several discrete dimples in the skin but not for diffuse cellulite. There is also vacuum-assisted subcision and collagenase clostridium histolyticum. Yet, we still need more research to optimize results of these non-invasive and minimally invasive technologies,” he said.

Research is ongoing on newer technologies with lasting effects that appear promising, Katz added.

“If we can get it right, these potential procedures could really be the ‘holy grail’ treatment for cellulite,” he said. – by Jennifer Southall

Reference:

Katz B. Exploring Irregular Terrain: Latest Advances in Cellulite Therapy. Presented at: South Beach Symposium; Feb. 6-9, 2020; Miami.

Disclosures: Katz reports clinical advisory roles with Allergan, Alma, BTL, El-En Engineering, Galderma and Syneron-Candela.