title: Methods for the assessment of the efficacy of products and slimming treatments for cellulite according to the Italian Interdisciplinary Group for the standardization of efficacy tests on cosmetic products.
abstract: Cellulite is a very common skin alteration with a complex pathogenesis; different degrees of severity of cellulite can be observed in most part of people after puberty, and numerous cosmetic or more invasive treatments have been proposed, with variable efficacy. Since reproducible methods of evaluation of the effectiveness of cellulite treatments are lacking, the purpose of our group was to define and set general testing principles for evaluating the efficacy of slimming products and treatments/remodeling methods for cellulite, to achieve a delineation of reliable and reproducible research steps following a well-designed and scientifically valid methodology. After a careful review of literature and textbooks and according to personal experience, we defined assessment protocols based on clinical and instrumental tools. In order to make studies reliable, reproducible and safe, a protocol standardization is needed. The sponsor is responsible for assuring quality and information concerning the product under investigation; moreover, investigators should be experienced on cellulite evaluation and treatment, and, finally, the duration and modalities of application of the product should be specified. A treated VS non treated area comparison can be performed, to evaluate the severity of cellulite and the clinical outcomes of the treatment. Besides clinical evaluation, instrumental methods should always be implemented to provide objective data for treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department. University of Modena and Reggia Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seidenari
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bassoli
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Flori
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rigano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sparavigna
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vesnaver
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berardesca
mesh_terms: D002081:Buttocks / Q000473:pathology; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods; D008405:Massage; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011846:Radio Waves; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013848:Thigh / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics