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Topical Treatments
Numerous products are available to consumers that
are promoted in the area of “skin care products” and/or “thigh creams.” Some of the claims
are:
§ Increased collagen production
§ Strengthening collagen and elastin fibers
§ Cellulite reduction through cellular stimulation to release stored fat
§ Weight reduction through appetite suppression, increased metabolism, and fat
burning
§ Reduced water retention.
When is a topical considered a drug or a cosmetic?
That’s a difficult question.
According to the government drugs, unlike cosmetics, alter the structure or function of the
body. Here’s where it gets really confusing.
If the manufacturers claim that thigh creams or other topical treatments eliminate cellulite, is that considered as “altering the structure or
function of the body?”
We don’t have the answer to that question nor are we in a position to present a plausible
argument either way.
What we do know, is that many people have hidden allergies. These allergies only surface when the individual comes in contact with a “new” trigger. Some of the thigh creams and other topical products contain an
ingredient that can be potentially harmful for certain individuals. We will discuss that in just
a moment.
Before you use any new topical treatment, you should “test” the product on a small area
of skin and give yourself sufficient time to observe any reactions.
You should also carefully read product labels and
follow directions. If it contains an allergen that you already know affects you, obviously you
won’t want to use that particular product.
Persons who suffer from asthma need to pay particular attention. “Aminophylline,” an approved prescription drug used in the treatment of asthma, is an ingredient used in
many thigh cream products that marketers claim will dissolve the fat and smooth the skin.
Since some individuals suffer from allergic reactions to ethylenediamine, a component of
aminophylline, there is some concern and these people may wish to avoid these products so that they don't develop a sensitization (become
allergic) to aminophylline.
For these and other reasons the government argues that the majority of “topical agents and
thigh creams” should be regulated as drugs. They further dispute the efficacy of these
creams. As we said earlier, that isn’t our determination to make.
Some dermatologists and clinicians have a differing point of view. One such practice conducted an abstract study wherein they used a “double-blinded randomized
trial.” This means that neither the clinicians conducting the test nor the subjects, knew which
of a particular topical agent they were testing.
Twenty women with a moderate degree of cellulite on the buttocks and/or thighs were entered
into a four-week, double-blinded, randomized trial where an anti-cellulite cream was applied to the affected sites on a nightly
basis.
Some of them were randomly selected to use a neoprene garment on either leg. High quality digital photography was used to photograph them from different angles before and after four
weeks of treatment.
17 of the subjects actually completed the study.
Of those 17, 76% saw overall improvement in their cellulite. 54% reported even greater
improvement on the thigh that used the special garment.
The dermatological evaluators found an improvement in 65% of treated legs with the garment and
59% of treated legs without the garment.
Further, the evaluators found the thighs using the garment showed greater improvement than
those that did not in 65% of subjects. The topical agent used in this study was found to be effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite
and the neoprene garment enhanced the effect of this topical agent in cellulite reduction.
The dermatological evaluators claim that the success of this study validates the garment used
to enhance the topical agent used.
Your writer makes no claims as to the validity of the above test or the arguments set forth by
the government. Both present valid points of view.
Also take note that we have no idea of the “brand names” of the products
involved. Again, you might want to check the contents of any product you may be
considering.
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