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Triple Frequency Local Dynamic Micromassage (TF-LDM) technology is a potential long-term treatment for cellulite, according to a recent study.1 At frequencies of 1/3/10 MHz and 3/10/19 MHz, ultrasound waves provided sustainable results with high patient satisfaction and no adverse effects.
The single-center, retrospective, longitudinal clinical study was conducted in St. Petersburg, Russia. All 20 participants were female and Caucasian, with an age range between 27 and 53 years. Patients had mild-to-severe female lipodystrophy as assessed by the 5-point clinician-reported Cytotoxic Cystitis Severity Scale (CR-PCSS).
TF-LDM treatments were performed 1 to 2 times per week for a total of 8 to 10 sessions. Patient satisfaction was measured with a 10-point Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) along with pre- and post-treatment photographs. Clinicians assessed the skin at baseline, on the last day of treatment, and at the last follow-up session. Depending on the patient, the final follow-up ranged between 3 and 18 months after the last treatment.
Mean CR-PCSS scores were 2.22±0.82 at baseline, 1.18±0.77 at last treatment, and 0.84±0.77 at final follow-up, with improvements in all 20 patients. This equates to a skin improvement of 0.93±0.27 between initial and last treatment and an improvement of 0.33±0.38 between the final treatment session and the follow-up period. More specifically, the researchers saw a 1.38±0.47 improvement between baseline and the last follow-up session. Only 1 patient, who was diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia, saw a reduction in treatment compared with overall outcome at delayed follow-up at 18 months.
Ultrasound and visualization allowed the researchers to further measure the effects of TF-LDM on the tissue. After 8 to 10 treatments, the dermal-hypodermal interface strengthened and was no longer an irregular structure. In addition, the superficial fascia was thicker and the soft tissue was stiffer, compared to baseline. The mean values for skin elasticity before and after treatment were 2.96±0.54 versus 4.08±0.48, showing a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001).
“This confirms our previous hypothesis that the main targets in cellulite should be to strengthen the epidermis, dermis, skin-associated adipose tissue (SAAT), and the dermal-subcutaneous interface,” the authors wrote. “Such reinforcement causes a reduction in SAAT protrusions in the dermis, thereby reducing the internal pressure on the skin surface and simultaneously increasing the skin’s resistance to deformations caused by residual protrusions.”
More than half of the patients gave a satisfaction score of 10 on the GAIS scale, resulting in a mean satisfaction of 8.95 ± 1.49. The treatment was well tolerated, with no adverse effects or pain, according to the participants. Almost everyone noted an improvement in their self-confidence and psychosocial state.
The relatively small sample size could be considered a potential limitation of the clinical study, along with the lack of analysis for additional parameters such as demographic data. In addition, the range of follow-up times between 3 and 18 months made it difficult for the researchers to draw an accurate conclusion about the longevity of treatment effects.
Cellulite is a skin condition that affects more than 85% of women over the age of 20. There are currently no effective treatments with long-term treatment results, as the results usually wear off relatively quickly without regular maintenance.2 Further research may assess even greater improvement in treatment outcomes, especially to examine whether additional TF-LDM courses can be used.
References
1. Chervinskaya I, Kuprina NI, Kruglikov I. A Retrospective Pragmatic Longitudinal Case-Series Clinical Study to Evaluate the Clinical Outcome of Triple-Frequency Ultrasound in Treatment of Cellulite.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024? 17:2779-2794. Published December 6, 2024. doi:10.2147/CCID.S488977
2. Lucassen GW, van der Sluys WL, van Herk JJ, et al. The effectiveness of massage therapy in cellulite as monitored by ultrasound imaging. Skin Res Technol. 1997, 3(3):154-160. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0846.1997.tb00180.x
