INCLUSION OF TARGETED SKIN PRODUCTS IN THE PRE-SURGICAL TREATMENT REGIMEN OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHEDEMA & LIPEDEMA

Abstract

Advanced lymphedema is associated with
a number of adverse skin changes including
color, thickening of the epidermis, dryness, and
hyperkeratosis. These changes are related to
prolonged lymph stasis and contribute to an
increased risk of infection. Similarly, lipedema
is associated with skin thickening and appearance
of nodular adipose deposition. Skin care
is essential in both conditions. We examined
whether inclusion of targeted skin products for
2 weeks to an established pre-surgical conservative
treatment program was associated with
beneficial effects on the skin condition in 150
patients with lymphedema and lipedema. Patients
were randomly assigned to control or one
of two treatment groups. All three groups (and
for both lymphedema and lipedema) demonstrated
a significant reduction in softness. Dimpling/
redness was significantly reduced in the
targeted skin product groups for both patients
with lymphedema or lipedema. Only patients
with lipedema demonstrated a significant
reduction in dryness/ hyperkeratosis following
targeted skin product treatment. This study
demonstrates that short-term use of targeted
skin products in both patients with lymphedema
and lipedema can be of benefit and further
studies are needed to replicate these results and
explore possible mechanisms.