Body Contouring
Next Steps in Derm and the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, in partnership with the Dermatology Education Foundation (DEF) and Physicians Resources, interviewed Dr. Suneel Chilukuri (a dermatologic surgeon with Refresh Dermatology in Houston) on the latest developments in body contouring. Dr. Chilukuri believes that understanding how to utilize the four categories of body contouring technologies can help a clinician contour and sculpt most people. Watch as Dr. Chilukuri shares how to get optimal treatment results in the different types of body contouring technologies.
Dr. Suneel Chilukuri lectured on this and other topics at the recent DERM2022 NP/PA CME conference held July 28-31, 2022.
Further Reading
If you want to read more about current and upcoming body contouring technologies, check out the following articles published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology:
ABSTRACT
Objective: The HIFEM procedure demonstrates positive outcomes on abdomen and buttock. This multi-center study aims to investigate its effect on adipose tissue and muscle mass located in upper arms and calves.
Materials and Methods: Twenty subjects (45.10±15.19 years, 24.44±3.22 kg/m2) who underwent a HIFEM procedure (4 sessions; 20 minutes per muscle group) on arms and calves were evaluated. Overall, 7 patients were treated over biceps and triceps, 4 patients over calves, and 9 patients underwent treatment of both upper arms and calves. The changes in adipose and muscle tissue of musculus biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and gastrocnemius were evaluated by using ultrasound. The results from a 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up were compared to the baseline. Digital photographs, weight measurements, satisfaction, and comfort questionnaires were assessed at baseline and follow-ups.
Results: Ultrasound images revealed a significant (P<0.05) increase in the muscle mass of all studied muscles, with the most noticeable improvement in biceps brachii (+16.13% at 3 months). The fat deposits over arms and calves showed significant improvement (P<0.05), reaching -15.12% at 3 months. The results peaked at 3 months and were sustained up to 6 months with a slight but insignificant decline. Aesthetic enhancement of treated areas was documented while patients were highly satisfied.
Conclusions: The achieved outcomes showed that the HIFEM procedure is effective for muscle toning and fat reduction in arms and calves. The results suggest that the use of the HIFEM procedure is not limited only to abdominal and buttock shaping but is also effective for toning of arms and calves.
ABSTRACT
Background: Non-surgical fat reduction through cold application, cryolipolysis, is an extremely popular procedure. Apoptosis of the fat cell content may take around 3 months to resolve.
Objective: A topical test product was compared to a bland emollient as an adjunct to the cryolipolysis procedure of the upper arms to determine if the product could hasten outcomes in these patients. The product includes a peptide combination thought to stimulate autophagic breakdown of lipid droplets, thus speeding up the apoptotic process seen after cryolipolysis.
Methods: A randomized, double-blind, comparator-controlled study in 11 patients compared the test product to a bland emollient on the upper arms of patients following cryolipolysis. Subjects were followed at 1, 4, 8, 12, and some at 24-weeks post treatment. Assessments were made through subjective and objective photographic analysis of the treated areas comparing changes in both arms.
Results: The test product appeared to speed up the process of contour improvement with results at 8 weeks matching those attained at 12 weeks by the comparator and long-term results at 24 weeks appearing to maintain this advantage. When measured objectively using pixel analysis, 8 and 24-week contour improvement was statistically better than the comparator. Skin laxity was also improved. In additional assessments using 3D volume analysis, cases showed improved reduction of fat tissue on the treated sides.
Conclusion: This pilot study introduces a potential advance in adjuvant topical therapy aiding the outcome of non-invasive fat reduction procedures.
