Reduction of Subcutaneous Fat Thickness with a Methylxanthine Cream

Excessive subcutaneous fat is typically treated with diet, liposuction, or both. Although many over-the-counter creams claim to reduce subcutaneous fat, none have scientifically proven effects. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomized 49 patients to apply a 1% or 2% methylxanthine liposome-based cream twice per day for two months to the abdomen, outer arm, lateral thigh, posterior thigh, and hip, and a control cream to the contralateral side.

Forty-one patients completed the study; all but one were women. After two months, methylxanthine-treated sites showed statistically significant reductions in subcutaneous fat measured with calipers compared with control sites. The thickness reduction was approximately 3 mm or 10%. There wa…