Quantitative & qualitative evaluation of the efficacy of a 1440 nm Nd:YAG laser with novel bi-directional optical fiber in the treatment of cellulite as measured by 3-dimensional surface imaging.

BACKGROUND: Cellulite gives the skin surface an orange peel or mattress-like appearance thought to be caused by expansion of subcutaneous fat, fibrotic septae and, dermal laxity and atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single cellulite treatment using an Nd:YAG 1440-nm laser delivered with a special fiber delivery system and temperature control.

METHODS: Women with cellulite on their thighs and buttocks were enrolled in a prospective Institutional Review Board-approved study. Subjects were 15 healthy females of all Fitzpatrick Skin types with cellulite (grades II-III). A single treatment was performed with an average of seven 5 x 5 cm squares treated per leg. Evaluations with 2D and 3D imaging, patient and blinded evaluator scales as well as skin histology were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months post treatment.

RESULTS: In the 2D photographs, blinded evaluators were able to identify treated photographs versus baseline in 90% of cases and the number of sites with improvement in contour irregularities was 94%. With 3D imaging, the average decrease in skin depressions (dimples) was 49% at 6 months and 66% of patients showed improvement in overall skin contour at 6 months follow-up. Patient and physician satisfaction scores were high and no adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION: The Nd:YAG 1440 nm laser with a special fiber delivery system produced significant improvement in cellulite with one treatment after 6 months of follow up. There were no adverse events.