Sculpt plaster therapy for abdominal circumference reduction

The initial consultations and subsequent treatments were developed in Clínica Áurea (Aesthetic Biomedicine Clinic, Portugal). A total of nine patients were submitted to the treatment. During the initial consultation, all the procedures, side effects, expected results, and contraindications were explained. The patients signed an informed consent. Also, during the initial consultation, initial measurements were taken. The aim of this procedure was to measure the reduction in abdominal circumference.

In practice, the procedure begins with the preparation of the skin. During the preparation process, the area is cleansed and exfoliated for better absorption of the ingredients. During the treatment, the plaster absorbs heat released by the body, which increases blood circulation and facilitates the penetration of the active ingredients into the skin.
To complement sculpt plaster therapy, green clay has also been used. Green clay contains minerals such as iron and magnesium, which facilitate lipolysis. Iron increases the rate of lipolysis in adipocytes [2]. Magnesium is gathered by adipocytes during lipolysis [3].
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of sculpt plaster therapy in the reduction of abdominal circumference.
The initial consultations and subsequent treatments were developed in Clínica Áurea (Aesthetic Biomedicine Clinic, Portugal). A total of nine patients were submitted to the treatment. During the initial consultation, all the procedures, side effects, expected results, and contraindications were explained. The patients signed an informed consent. Also, during the initial consultation, initial measurements were taken. The aim of this procedure was to measure the reduction in abdominal circumference.

Instruments
A nonstretchable measuring tape was used to measure height and circumference. Tanita UM-076 with bioelectrical impedance was used to measure weight, muscle mass, and fat mass.

Procedures
The treatments were applied once a week for five weeks. With every session, the patients' measurements were collected. Abdominal circumference was measured by finding the middle point between the last rib cage and the iliac crest. Height, fat mass, muscle mass, and weight were also measured.
During the first session, green clay therapy was given. Green clay was prepared with the following components: 30 g of green clay, 30 g of magnesium sulfate, and 50 mL of distilled water. The components were mixed and then applied. The patients were wrapped with a plastic film in the abdominal region for twenty minutes. Green clay was removed with water.
During sessions two to five, sculpt plaster therapy was given. The abdominal area was exfoliated with an exfoliating gel. The patients were wrapped in a plastic film for fifteen minutes. Afterward, the exfoliating gel was removed with water. Sculpt plaster was prepared with the following components: 30 g of sculpt plaster and 30 g of distilled water. The components were mixed and applied in the abdominal area. The patients were wrapped in bandages and a plastic film to keep the area moist and to maintain body temperature for fifty-five minutes. After this, the sculpt plaster was removed with water and shaping massage with a massage oil was given for thirty minutes. Table 1 shows a decrease in abdominal circumference, weight, and fat mass and an increase in muscle mass (Fig. 1).
The results of sculpt plaster therapy are due to the individual action of each of the components after topical application. Magnesium is gathered by adipocytes during lipolysis and, as fatty acids are mobilized, its concentration decreases. This is the reason why the administration of sculpt plaster therapy may intensify the lipolysis process. There is, nonetheless, a lack of studies on the action of these components through topical absorption.
Taking into account the results of this study, it seems that sculpt plaster therapy may enhance the reduction in abdominal circumference [4,5]. It should, however, be a complement to physical exercise and an optimal diet [6]. One study shows that complement sculpt plaster therapy coupled with aerobic exercise reduces abdominal fat [2].
Further investigation could be conducted in order to study the influence of temperature increase, abdominal lymphatic drainage, differences between sculpt plaster in powder-as used in this study and plaster bandage, and the type of exercise performed while using the sculpt plaster. Separate studies should be conducted to better understand each of the factors.
It would also be meaningful to study the effects of sculpt plaster therapy in the gluteal-femoral area, especially in females, as, in females, fat deposits are located preferentially in this region [5,7].  It is important to highlight the results of this study so that aesthetic biomedicine professionals consider this novel tool for lipolysis enhancement.

Consent
The examination of the patient was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.