An Innovative Injection Technique for Treating Edematous Fibrosclerotic Panniculopathy (Cellulite): A Prospective...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Aesthetic Medicine
• Cosmetic Science

Background:

• Edematous fibrosclerotic panniculopathy (EFP), commonly known as cellulite, affects a vast majority of postpubertal women, significantly impacting their quality of life.
• The complex etiopathology and multifactorial origin of EFP present considerable challenges for effective clinical management.
• Current treatment options for cellulite often lack robust efficacy or carry significant risks, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a specific hyaluronic acid and amino acid mixture in an alkaline solution for treating cellulite.
• To assess the improvement in cellulite severity using both clinician-reported and patient-reported outcome measures.
• To investigate the psychological impact of the treatment on patients' self-esteem and body consciousness.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter clinical trial involving 46 women diagnosed with EFP (Stage I to early Stage IV).
• Treatment involved injections of a hyaluronic acid and amino acid mixture.
• Cellulite severity was assessed using the modified Clinician-Reported Photonumeric Cellulite Severity Scale (CR-PCSS) and Patient-Reported PCSS (PR-PCSS) at multiple time points.
• Psychological impact was measured using the Objectified Body Consciousness (OBC) scale.

Main Results:

• 95.3% of participants reported subjective improvement in cellulite appearance, with results sustained up to 6 months post-treatment.
• Objective improvement was observed in 76.7% of participants as early as two weeks after the first treatment, with sustained efficacy for up to 6 months.
• Significant improvements in self-esteem, as measured by the OBC scale, were reported.
• The treatment was well-tolerated, with only minor bruising reported as an expected adverse event related to injections.

Conclusions:

• The hyaluronic acid and amino acid mixture (Sunekos Cell 15) demonstrates potential efficacy and a favorable safety profile for treating cellulite.
• This minimally invasive treatment option appears particularly beneficial for cellulite cases with significant fibrosis.
• The study suggests that this novel formulation can improve both the physical appearance and psychological well-being of patients suffering from cellulite.