Noninvasive mechanical body contouring: a preliminary clinical outcome study

L.P.G.'s Endermologie is a massage method consisting of positive pressure rolling, in conjunction with applied negative pressure to both the, skin and subcutaneous tissues (L.P.G. Endermologie U.S.A., 3101 North Federal Highway, Suite 301 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306, U.S.A., (800) 222-3911). Devised in France during the 1970s, L.P.G.'s original purpose was to soften scars and standardize physical therapy; however, patients treated with the L.P.G. machine also showed an improvement in body contour and skin texture. Since then, several thousand machines have been in use in France as an alternative method for altering fat distribution in the subcutaneous plane. The authors began a study to determine the safety and efficacy of this machine. This study is composed of 22 women between the ages of 24 and 48. All 22 women completed at least seven sessions of treatments. Six of these 22 women completed all 14 sessions of the prescribed treatments. The study group exhibited a wide range of body habitus, initial weights, and final results. Of the 22 women who completed seven sessions of treatment, three had an increase in body weight and a mean index (see Materials and Methods) reduction in body diameter of 1.38 cm (0.5 in). Three of the six patients who completed all 14 treatment sessions had an increase in body weight and a mean index reduction in body diameter of 2.85 cm (1.12 in). All but one of the patients had a decrease in their mean body diameter index, regardless of their loss or gain in weight.