Abstract
BACKGROUND: Noninvasive acoustic subcision uses rapid acoustic pulse (RAP) treatment to disrupt subdermal and dermal fibrous tissue, thereby improving cellulite appearance. A prior multicenter study showed that 1 RAP treatment improved cellulite appearance 12 weeks after treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether treatment with acoustic subcision improved skin laxity appearance in participants with skin laxity seeking treatment for cellulite appearance. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study used images collected from a prior study that evaluated adult participants ( n = 51) with severe cellulite on ≥1 thigh and/or buttock at baseline and 12 weeks after 1 RAP treatment. Outcomes included proportion of participants who achieved clinical improvement in skin laxity appearance via correct identification (≥60%) of blinded, randomized pretreatment and post-treatment photos; Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) responder rates ("improved" or "much improved") for skin laxity by ≥2 of three physician reviewers 12 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: Among 51 participants, the mean age was 43 years. At least two of three physicians correctly identified 90.2% of photo sets (pretreatment vs week 12 post-treatment; 95% CI: 78.6%‒96.7%). GAIS responder rate was 80.4% (95% CI: 66.9%‒90.2%). CONCLUSION: RAP treatment targeting cellulite also improved the appearance of skin laxity.