Background. Cellulite is a type of lipodystrophy that develops primarily from an alteration in blood circulation or of the lymphatic system that causes structural changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, collagen, and adjacent proteoglycans. The radiofrequency devices used for cutaneous applications have shown different physiological treatment effects, but there is controversy about the suitable parameters for this type of treatment. Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-temperature radiofrequency to confirm the thinning of the collagen tissue and interlobular septa and consequent improvement of cellulite. Methods. A sample of eight women was used to collect ultrasonographic data with a 12?MHz probe that measured collagen fiber thickness. The Vip Electromedicina (Argentina) device, frequency of 0.55?MHz and active electrode 3.5?cm in diameter (area = 9.61?cm2), was applied to a 10?cm2 region of the gluteal region for 2 minutes per area of active electrode, during 10 biweekly sessions. Results. The Wilcoxon matched paired test was applied using GraphPad InStat 3.01 for Win95-NT software. Pre- and posttreatment mean collagen fiber thickness showed a 24.66% reduction from 1.01 to 0.67?mm. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon matched paired test obtained a significant two-tailed P value of 0.0391. Conclusion. It was concluded that the use of more comfortable temperatures favored a reduction in fibrous septum thickness and consequent cellulite improvement, evidenced by the lower degree of severity and decrease in interlobular septal thickness. 1. Introduction Cellulite is a type of lipodystrophy widely considered as an esthetic disorder in dermal and hypodermal tissue, whose alteration is based on a morphological disorder. It develops primarily from an alteration in blood circulation and of the lymphatic system, causing structural changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, collagen, and adjacent proteoglycans [1, 2]. In cellulite, fat is stored in fat cells that lie between the skin and muscle tissue. Fat cells are grouped together into large conglomerates separated by fibrous strands (fibrous septae). These fibrous strands run between the muscle and the skin and serve to hold the fat in place (in small compartments). The skin is tethered down by string-like tissues that pull it inward, toward the interior of the body. As fat cells expand with weight gain, the gap between the muscle tissue and skin expands. The fibrous strands cannot stretch and cannot support the skin. The tension of these septae pulls sections of fat in along
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