Improving Skin Quality in Lipedema with Shockwave Therapy
Title of study: Anti-fibrosclerotic effects of shock wave therapy in lipedema and cellulite
Author: Werner Siems, Tilman Grune, Peter Voss, Rainer Brenke
This study conducted on 26 female patients with lipedema and cellulite examined the benefits of shockwave therapy (SWT) and complex physical decongestive therapy (CPDT) in mitigating oxidative stress and improving skin properties. Oxidative stress was demonstrated by increased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma protein carbonyls in lipedema and cellulite patients compared to healthy individuals.
Both MDA and protein carbonyls decreased after serial shockwave application and CPDT, indicating that both therapies effectively reduced oxidative stress. Additionally, SWT significantly improved biomechanic skin properties, leading to the smoothening of the dermis and hypodermis surface. A significant correlation was found between MDA depletion of the edematous and lipid-enriched dermis and the improvement of mechanical skin properties.
The study concluded that the release of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products from the edematous dermis is an important factor in preventing sclerosis in lipedema and cellulite, and SWT and/or CPDT effectively mitigate oxidative stress and improve skin properties. However, the expression of factors stimulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis such as VEGF was not induced by SWT and/or CPDT and, therefore, not involved in the beneficial effects observed.
In summary, the study suggests that shockwave therapy and complex physical decongestive therapy can effectively reduce oxidative stress and improve skin properties in patients with lipedema and cellulite, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional liposuction procedures.