title: An integral topical gel for cellulite reduction: results from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled evaluation of efficacy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cellulite is a serious cosmetic concern for most of the 90% of women affected by it.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the clinical efficacy of a complex integral anti-cellulite gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involved 44 healthy women, aged 25-55 years. Subjects had a normal to slightly overweight body mass index and presented slight to moderate cellulite on their thighs, buttocks, and/or hips at baseline. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the treated or placebo group and accordingly applied the active product or placebo on their hips, stomach, buttocks, and thighs, twice daily for 3 months. Skin tonicity, orange-peel aspect, and stubborn cellulite were assessed at day 0, 28, 56, and 84. A self-evaluation questionnaire was completed by all volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the study, an average of 81% of the subjects applying the active product presented improvement in their cellulite condition versus 32% for the placebo group (all descriptors and sites combined). At day 84, skin tonicity, orange-peel appearance, and stubborn cellulite were improved in a significant manner (P<0.05) over placebo, on all studied areas. Skin tonicity improved on average by +41% for buttocks, +35% for hips, and +31% for thighs. Orange peel appearance was reduced on average by -25% for buttocks, -22% for hips, and -22% for thighs. Stubborn cellulite was reduced on average by -19% for buttocks, -24% for hips, and -22% for thighs. Circumference measurements decreased in a significant manner (P<0.05) over placebo, for the abdomen (average value of -1.1 cm) and thighs (average value of -0.8 cm). The product was well tolerated and perceived by the volunteers themselves as better performing than placebo on all criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All results validate the efficacy of the present integral formulation to significantly reduce signs of cellulite and reshape the silhouette.
authors.affiliation: Immanence IDC Inc, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dupont
authors.affiliation: Clinique de Dermatologie St-Joseph, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Journet
authors.affiliation: Evalulab Inc, Mont-Royal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Marie-Laure
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Oula
authors.affiliation: Immanence IDC Inc, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.affiliation: Clinique de Chirurgie Esthétique du Québec Métropolitain, Lévis, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Léveillé
authors.affiliation: Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Estelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loing
authors.affiliation: CosmeConsult, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bilodeau
keywords: circumference reduction; clinical trial; orange-peel appearance; skin tonicity