Introduction: After puberty, most women develop some amount of cellulite. With the increasing number of dermatological consultations about treating cellulite, a broader understanding of the characteristics, wishes and expectations of these patients regarding their quality of life has become necessary.
Objective: To develop and validate an instrument to evaluate the quality of life of patients with cellulite.
Methods: The study consisted of two stages: in the first, instruments for assessing patients'''''''' quality of life were developed and validated; in the second, two questionnaires were administered to 100 females with cellulite, aged 18 to 45.
Results: The reliability of the results was assessed using factorial analysis and Cronbach''''''''s alpha test. With the use of exploratory factorial analysis, it was possible to test (1) the hypothesis that all questions in the shortened questionnaire measured a single factor (cellulite) and (2) the hypothesis that each block of questions in the full version of the questionnaire measured a single domain or factor among the parameters being assessed (dressing style, physical activity, partner, feelings and change in daily habits).
Conclusion: The validation analysis showed that both questionnaires effectively measure cellulite patients'''''''' quality of life.

Keywords: QUALITY OF LIFE, QUESTIONNAIRES, CELLULITIS

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 co-morbidities can be present in some patients.

Keywords: CELLULITIS, SKIN, BEHAVIOR, QUESTIONNAIRES

Introduction The pigment mainly responsible for the color of the skin, melanin is directly influenced by exposure to sunlight. Objective: The present study assessed the effects of solar radiation on the levels of melanin in areas exposed and not exposed to the sun, taking into consideration the seasonality of exposure. Methods: Melanin levels were evaluated on the forehead, sacral region, and forearm, in the post-summer and post-winter periods, using spectrophotometry. Results: The levels of melanin after winter were lower than those after summer in the forehead (168.1 vs. 177.0), sacral region (132.0 vs. 140.4), and forearm (218.7 vs. 260. 4), with a statistically significant reduction only in the forearm (p<0.0001).Additionally, erythema was significantly less intense in the forearm and forehead (p<0.0001 and p=0.002) after winter than after summer. Conclusion: The significant reduction of melanin levels in the forearm after winter reinforces the influence of seasonality on skin pigmentation changes to body areas exposed to the sun without protection.The small variation in the levels of melanin found in the unexposed area (sacrum) confirms that the effect of exposure to the sun on the levels of melanin is predominantly local. Increased production of melanin is directly related to local exposure to UV rays.

Keywords: MELANINS; ERYTHEMA;SOLAR RADIATION; PIGMENTATION.

Introduction: Although cellulite has been related to being overweight and having unhealthy eating habits, normal weight patients can also present with cellulite. Objective: To assess the effects of three different diets in the reduction of cellulite grading in normal weight women. Methods: Forty-three women were randomized into 3 groups: Group 1 followed a low-carbohydrate diet; Group 2, a high protein content diet; and Group 3, a control diet with standard amounts of macronutrients. Body weight for each patient was recorded and cellulite grading was assessed with the Cellulite Severity Scale. Results: Patients in Group 2 had, on average, lower cellulite grading for the right and left gluteus compared to patients in Groups 1 and 3. Patients in Group 2 also saw a reduction in body weight and a reduction in cellulite grading on the thighs during the course of the study. Conclusion: Patients in Group 2 had improvement in cellulite grading, possibly related to the reduction in body weight and the consequent reduction of adipose tissue. Larger studies are needed to support these data and establish the relationship between the composition of different diets and cellulite improvement.

Keywords: CELLULITIS; LIPODYSTROPHY, DIET THERAPY.

Introduction: Low level laser therapy has been considered a non-invasive treatment alternative to body remodeling and fat tissue reduction.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of low level laser therapy in reducing body circumference measures and subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdomen and hips areas.
Methods: An open, prospective, monocentric study was performed including 25 women with localized fat on the hips and abdomen. Nine sessions of low level laser therapy were performed over 3 weeks. The participants were assessed at baseline and at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. Assessment of weight and body circumferences, lipid profile tests and MRI were performed.
Results: The abdominal circumference measurements showed a significant reduction up to 12 weeks after the treatment. Participants showed a more marked reduction in the hips region one week after the last session. Also one week after the completion of the treatment, 80% of the participants considered that the treatment improved their body contour. There was absence of reports of adverse events related to the treatment.
Conclusion: Low level laser therapy is safe and effective in reducing the circumference measurements, particularly in the abdominal region.

Keywords: LOW-LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY; SUBCUTANEOUS FAT; MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING; LASER THERAPY; ABDOMINAL SUBCUTANEOUS FAT

Introduction: Acoustic wave therapy stimulates tissue regeneration and healing processes. Therefore, it is expected that this treatment modality might have effects on scars.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acoustic wave therapy in the improvement of keloids.
Methods: An open, prospective, monocentric study was carried out with 20 participants with clinical diagnosis of keloid. Weekly sessions of acoustic wave therapy were performed, for eight weeks. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 1 and 12 weeks after the end of the treatment. The investigators took measurements of elasticity and performed clinical evaluations based on the Vancouver Scars Scale. At the end of the treatment the participants’ satisfaction with the treatment was evaluated.
Results: After the treatment, the percentage of participants with keloid thickness between 2mm and 5mm decreased to 47% (from 71%), increasing the percentage of participants with reduced keloid thickness in the total sample (<2mm, to 41% from 24%). Some participants also had improvement in the keloids’ vascularization and pliability. No treatment-related adverse events have been reported.
Conclusions: Acoustic wave treatment is safe and can be effective in the improvement of the keloid’s functionality and some clinical aspects.

Keywords: KELOID; CICATRIX; SCALES

Introduction: Hyaluronic acid-based soft tissue fillers are considered one of the treatment options for hands rejuvenation.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy a range of soft hyaluronic acid (HA) gels in women with loss of adipose tissue and dermal reabsorption as a sign of aging hands.
Methods: Fifteen subjects received treatment with two firmer HA gels combined with the softest gel of the range (group 1). Fifteen subjects received the two firmer HA gels only (group 2). Efficacy and safety assessments were performed at month one, three and six. Patient satisfaction and self-assessment questionnaires were applied.
Results: Most subjects were Caucasian (Fitzpatrick skin type III and IV) with a mean age of 56.6 years. Six months after treatment, all the subjects in Group 1 and 93% in Group 2 had clinical improvement; and 90% of the subjects in both groups presented global aesthetic improvement. Mild pain was reported in both groups. All related adverse events were mild or moderate.
Conclusions: Both treatments were effective and safe, and improvement was seen for up to six months after treatment. Subjects reported high satisfaction with both treatments up to the end of study.

Keywords: hand; rejuvenation; hyaluronic acid; skin aging

In the aging process, the intracellular routes that regulate collagen homeostasis are influenced by the exposome, resulting in its degradation and decreased synthesis, leading to sagging skin. Current evidence indicates that oral collagen supplementation may promote wrinkles reduction in the eye area, wound healing, skin elasticity and hydration improvement, enhancement of cellulite, some dermatitis, and nails fragility. Large-scale and methodologically more robust studies are still needed to consider the use of oral collagen as an effective adjuvant treatment to different dermatological conditions.

Keywords: Collagen; Skin; Dietary supplements

INTRODUCTION: High-intensity focused electromagnetic field treatment (HIFEM) uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves to induce supramaximal muscle contractions, causing muscle hypertrophy and reducing fat.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a HIFEM treatment for the improvement of cellulite on the buttocks.
METHODS: Thirty patients were divided into two groups that received eight or 12 HIFEM sessions on the buttocks for six weeks. We assessed the improvement in cellulite and the buttocks' global appearance through the Cellulite Severity Scale (CSS), the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and a satisfaction questionnaire. Changes in body composition were evaluated through bioimpedance and hip circumference measurements.
RESULTS: Patients from both groups improved the global appearance of their buttocks. Cellulite lesions of some patients improved, but for most patients, the improvement wasn’t great enough to change the grade on the Cellulite Severity Scale. Patient satisfaction was high and adverse events were few, minor, and transitory.
CONCLUSION: The effects of HIFEM on cellulite are subtle, as this treatment modality cannot address the fibrous septa that cause the depressed lesions of cellulite. Nevertheless, HIFEM procedures can improve the buttocks’ global appearance, enhancing the patients’ subjective perception of their cellulite.

Keywords: Cellulite; Aesthetic equipment; Electromagnetic fields