Validated Assessment Scales for Cellulite Dimples on the Buttocks and Thighs in Female Patients.

BACKGROUND New treatment methods for cellulite require globally accepted scales for aesthetic research and patient evaluation. OBJECTIVE To develop a set of grading scales for objective assessment of cellulite dimples on female buttocks and thighs and assess their reliability and validity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two photonumeric grading scales were created and validated for dimples in the buttocks in female patients: Cellulite Dimples-At Rest, and Cellulite Dimples-Dynamic. Sixteen aesthetic experts rated photographs of 50 women in 2 validation sessions. Responses were analyzed to assess inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. RESULTS Overall inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability were both "almost perfect" (>= 0.81, intraclass correlation efficient and weighted kappa) for the At Rest scale. For the Dynamic scale, inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability were "substantial" (0.61-0.80). There was a high correlation between the cellulite scales and body mass index, age, weight, and skin laxity assessments. CONCLUSION Consistent outcomes between raters and by individual raters at 2 time points confirm the reliability of the cellulite dimple grading scales for buttocks and thighs in female patients and suggest they will be a valuable tool for use in research and clinical practice.