Chapter 2

Cures and Treatments - Topical

If our research indicates that cellulite is not recognized as a disease, is there no such thing as a “cure?” I'm not here to make that determination. That is something the reader should pursue for him or herself. Whether there is or is not a “cure,” there are various methods of treatment and I will endeavor to review them for you with an eye toward “Conquering Cellulite.”

All you need to do is begin a search for information about cellulite and you will find yourself bombarded with commercial messages. There are hundreds of sources all claiming to reduce or eliminate the ravages of cellulite, and “for only $xxxxx you too can rid yourself of this condition.”

The most widely advertised methods we have found are topical creams and/or ointments, body wrapping, electronic muscle stimulation and liposuction. Let’s review them beginning with topicals.

Topical Treatments

Numerous products are available to consumers that are promoted in the area of “skin care products” and/or “thigh creams.” Some of the claims are:

§ Increased collagen production

§ Strengthening collagen and elastin fibers

§ Cellulite reduction through cellular stimulation to release stored fat

§ Weight reduction through appetite suppression, increased metabolism, and fat burning

§ Reduced water retention.

When is a topical considered a drug or a cosmetic? That’s a difficult question.

According to the government drugs, unlike cosmetics, alter the structure or function of the body. Here’s where it gets really confusing. If the manufacturers claim that thigh creams or other topical treatments eliminate cellulite, is that considered as “altering the structure or function of the body?”

I don’t have the answer to that question nor am I in a position to present a plausible argument either way.

What I do know, is that many people have hidden allergies. These allergies only surface when the individual comes in contact with a “new” trigger. Some of the thigh creams and other topical products contain an ingredient that can be potentially harmful for certain individuals. I will discuss that in just a moment.

Before you use any new topical treatment, you should “test” the product on a small area of skin and give yourself sufficient time to observe any reactions.

You should also carefully read product labels and follow directions. If it contains an allergen that you already know affects you, obviously you won’t want to use that particular product.

Persons who suffer from asthma need to pay particular attention. “Aminophylline,” an approved prescription drug used in the treatment of asthma, is an ingredient used in many thigh cream products that marketers claim will dissolve the fat and smooth the skin.

Since some individuals suffer from allergic reactions to ethylenediamine, a component of aminophylline, there is some concern and these people may wish to avoid these products so that they don't develop a sensitization (become allergic) to aminophylline.

For these and other reasons the government argues that the majority of “topical agents and thigh creams” should be regulated as drugs. They further dispute the efficacy of these creams. As I said earlier, that isn’t my determination to make.

Some dermatologists and clinicians have a differing point of view. One such practice conducted an abstract study wherein they used a “double-blinded randomized trial.” This means that neither the clinicians conducting the test nor the subjects, knew which of a particular topical agent they were testing.

Twenty women with a moderate degree of cellulite on the buttocks and/or thighs were entered into a four-week, double-blinded, randomized trial where an anti-cellulite cream was applied to the affected sites on a nightly basis.

Some of them were randomly selected to use a neoprene garment on either leg. High quality digital photography was used to photograph them from different angles before and after four weeks of treatment.

17 of the subjects actually completed the study. Of those 17, 76% saw overall improvement in their cellulite. 54% reported even greater improvement on the thigh that used the special garment.

The dermatological evaluators found an improvement in 65% of treated legs with the garment and 59% of treated legs without the garment.

Further, the evaluators found the thighs using the garment showed greater improvement than those that did not in 65% of subjects. The topical agent used in this study was found to be effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite and the neoprene garment enhanced the effect of this topical agent in cellulite reduction.

The dermatological evaluators claim that the success of this study validates the garment used to enhance the topical agent used.

In the abstract on the study..they do not mention the topical agent used. For those who wish to follow up..here is the journal it appeared in:

J Drugs Dermatol. 2004 Jul-Aug;3(4):417-25

Titled: A double-blinded randomized trial testing the tolerability and efficacy of a novel topical agent with and without occlusion for the treatment of cellulite: a study and review of the literature.

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