Validated Assessment Scales for Cellulite Dimples on the Buttocks and Thighs in Female Patients.

BACKGROUND: New treatment methods for cellulite require globally accepted scales for aesthetic research and patient evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To develop a set of grading scales for objective assessment of cellulite dimples on female buttocks and thighs and assess their reliability and validity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two photonumeric grading scales were created and validated for dimples in the buttocks in female patients: Cellulite Dimples-At Rest, and Cellulite Dimples-Dynamic. Sixteen aesthetic experts rated photographs of 50 women in 2 validation sessions. Responses were analyzed to assess inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. RESULTS: Overall inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability were both "almost perfect" (≥0.81, intraclass correlation efficient and weighted kappa) for the At Rest scale. For the Dynamic scale, inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability were "substantial" (0.61-0.80). There was a high correlation between the cellulite scales and body mass index, age, weight, and skin laxity assessments. CONCLUSION: Consistent outcomes between raters and by individual raters at 2 time points confirm the reliability of the cellulite dimple grading scales for buttocks and thighs in female patients and suggest they will be a valuable tool for use in research and clinical practice.

Validated Assessment Scales for Skin Laxity on the Posterior Thighs, Buttocks, Anterior Thighs, and Knees in Female Patients.

BACKGROUND: The demand for noninvasive skin-tightening body procedures is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To develop a set of grading scales for the objective assessment of skin laxity and assess their reliability and validity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two photonumeric grading scales were created and validated for skin laxity in female patients: Skin Laxity-Posterior Thighs/Buttocks, and Anterior Thighs/Knees. Fifteen aesthetic experts rated photographs of 50 women in 2 validation sessions. Responses were analyzed to assess inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. RESULTS: Overall inter-rater reliability according to intraclass correlation efficient (ICC) 2.1 and weighted kappa was at least "substantial" for both scales in both sessions, and "almost perfect" (≥0.81) for the Anterior Thighs and Knees scale in session 2. Intra-rater reliability was "almost perfect" for both scales (ICC 2.1) and "substantial" to "almost perfect" by weighted kappa. A correlation between the skin laxity scales and body mass index, age, weight, sun exposure, and cellulite severity was observed. CONCLUSION: The skin laxity photonumeric grading scales are valid and reliable instruments for assessing laxity on the posterior thighs and buttocks, and anterior thighs and knees. The scales will be of value for standardizing clinical evaluations and quantifying outcome measurements in research and clinical practice.

Objective assessment of erythema and pigmentation of melasma lesions and surrounding areas in long-term management regimens with triple combination.

BACKGROUND: Melasma has a negative impact on quality of life since it typically occurs on the face. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the erythema and pigmentation of melasma lesions and the surrounding areas in patients receiving triple combination (TC: hydroquinone, tretinoin, and fluocinolone acetonide) regimens. METHODS: Patients first received an 8-week daily TC treatment and were then randomized to twice weekly or tapering regimen with TC. Melanin and erythema levels of lesions and surrounding areas were objectively measured using a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Progressive reduction in the mean melanin levels was observed in the treatment phase. Following both maintenance regimens, there was no difference between melanin levels in the melasma lesions. Adverse effects were rare in both phases of the study and there was borderline reduction in erythema with regimen II. CONCLUSION: Both maintenance regimens were effective in maintaining results obtained during the initial treatment phase, and were safe and well-tolerated. Erythema was less intense with the tapering regimen.

Avaliação dos aspectos psicológicos, psiquiátricos e comportamentais de pacientes com celulite: estudo-piloto / Assessment of psychological, psychiatric, and behavioral aspects of patients with cellulite: a pilot study

Introdução: Cerca de 50% da população refere algum tipo de insatisfação com a aparência. Os hábitos comportamentais que motivam os pacientes a procurar tratamentos cosméticos ainda não estão completamente entendidos. Objetivos: Avaliar os aspectos comportamentais, psicológicos e psiquiátricos de pacientes com celulite. Métodos: Estudo transversal observacional descritivo. Na primeira etapa, 46 voluntárias responderam a questionário autoaplicável e, na segunda etapa, um psiquiatra aplicou o questionário Mini. Resultados: A maioria das entrevistadas referiu o início das lesões de celulite após o início da puberdade. Os ambientes que mais causaram desconforto quanto à celulite foram praia (87%) e piscina (67,4%). Quase metade das pacientes referiu já ter recebido algum tipo de comentário constrangedor em razão da sua celulite e 78,3% delas sentem-se pressionadas a procurar tratamentos. Distúrbios de alimentação apresentados incluíram uso de drogas, ingestão compulsiva de alimentos, culpa após as refeições e indução de vômitos. O transtorno emocional específico mais encontrado foi ansiedade generalizada. Conclusões: Pacientes com celulite podem apresentar desconforto emocional e sentimentos negativos em situações comuns do dia a dia. Alterações em hábitos comportamentais específicos e presença de comorbidades psicológicas ou psiquiátricas podem estar presentes em algumas pacientes.

Introduction: About 50% of the population reports some kind of dissatisfaction related to their physical appearance. Patients' motivations for seeking cosmetic treatment are not yet fully understood. Objectives: To evaluate the behavioral, psychological, and psychiatric characteristics of patients with cellulite. Methods: In the first phase of this cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study, forty-six volunteers answered a self-administered questionnaire. In the second phase, a psychiatrist administered the M.I.N.I. questionnaire. Results: Most interviewees described the forthcoming of cellulite during puberty. Discomfort caused by cellulite was mainly felt at the beach (87%) and pool (67,4%). Almost half of patients reported having been subject to an embarrassing comment related to their cellulite, while 78.3% felt pressure to seek treatment. The eating disorders described included the use of drugs, compulsive ingestion of food, feeling guilty after eating, and self-induced vomiting. The most frequently found specific emotional disorder was generalized anxiety. Conclusions: Patients with cellulite can experience emotional distress and negative feelings in everyday situations. Changes in specific behaviors and the presence of psychological and psychiatric comorbidities can be present in some patients.

Expanding the use of neurotoxins in facial aesthetics: a consensus panel's assessment and recommendations.

Injection of botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) is the most common nonsurgical aesthetic procedure undertaken in the United States (U.S.). A new formulation of BoNTA (abobotulinumtoxinA, Dysport™) has recently been approved in the U.S. for the treatment of glabellar lines. This product has been used for facial aesthetics in other parts of the world for more than 15 years, whereas in the U.S. a different formulation (onabotulinumtoxinA, Botox® Cosmetic) has been used for many years. The various formulations of neurotoxins are unique and are not interchangeable nor are doses convertible from one product to another, so it is important that recommendations be developed to assist U.S. clinicians in understanding the differences between the two available formulations of BoNTA, which should ensure successful outcomes with these products. A group of worldwide experts on the aesthetic use of BoNTA convened in February 2009 in New York, NY, to review the use of BoNTA and to develop consensus recommendations for the use of the new formulation, since such guidelines previously had only been published in German. This publication summarizes key discussions from the meeting as well as recommendations and suggestions regarding the use of abobotulinumtoxinA in the areas of the face most commonly treated with BoNTA.

Tratamento da hipomelanose gotada idiopática por dermabrasäo localizada / Treatment of the idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis by localized dermabrasion

FUNDAMENTOS - A hipomelanose gotada idiopática é dermatose freqüente, inestética, de causa desconhecida e de poucas opçöes terapêuticas. OBJETIVOS - Propor um tratamento eficaz para a hipomelanose gotada idiopática por dermabrasäo localizada. PACIENTES e MÉTODOS - No periódo de fevereiro de 1995 a março de 1996, vinte pacientes do sexo feminimo com idade entre 19 e 66 anos e diagnóstico clínico de hipomelanose gotada idiopática foram tratadas por dermabrasäo localizadas e acompanhadas. Utilizou-se aparelho portátil de baixa rotaçäo e lixas adamantinas apropriadas para o procedimento, permitindo a abrasäo seletiva das lesöes. A abrasäo foi epidérmica e realizada na faixa de 10.000 a 15.000 rpn, sem anestesia local. CONCLUSÄO - O método mostrou-se rápido, simples, efetivo, seguro, reproduzível e de baixo custo e risco.