According to the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, mesotherapy is a type of minimally invasive cosmetic procedure wherein medications, either conventional or homeopathic, are delivered subcutaneously via “microinjections” in order treat a particular area of the body. Usually directed at either the skin or the fat layer lying directly beneath the skin’s surface, mesotherapy is most commonly used to promote hair re-growth, reduce cellulite, improve the appearance of the skin or aid in weight loss.
When used as a body sculpting tool, mesotherapy involves the use of an injectable compound to liquefy excess fat. Once reduced to its liquid state, this excess fat will ultimately be excreted through the body’s own lymphatic system. Because mesotherapy does not involve anesthesia, long recovery periods or surgery, it is quickly becoming a popular alternative to liposuction for the removal of stubborn, exercise-resistant fat deposits in trouble spots like the thighs, buttocks and abdomen. Unlike liposuction, which in some cases may actually worsen the appearance of cellulite, mesotherapy seems to diminish cellulite’s appearance.
Mesotherapy may also be used as an anti-aging treatment. Often combined with Botox or Restylane, mesotherapy is sometimes used to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles or to improve skin’s firmness and elasticity. Also used to help re-grow hair, mesotherapy shows promise for the treatment of alopecia, a condition that involves hair loss resulting from poor diet, circulation problems or hormonal imbalances.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
The International Society of Cosmetogynecology states that most healthy men and women are candidates for mesotherapy. Several conditions should preclude an individual from seeking mesotherapy. These conditions include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, skin lesions or an allergy to any of the injectables used in the treatment. People taking blood-thinning medications are also not good candidates.
It is also important for an individual seeking mesotherapy to have realistic expectations about what can and cannot be achieved with this type of treatment. Before deciding to undergo the treatment, you should speak to your doctor about your suitability for mesotherapy and the types of improvements you can expect to see as a result of the procedure.
Benefits
The potential anti-aging benefits of mesotherapy include a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, improved skin tightness and elasticity, improved overall skin tone and clarity, and a reduction in the appearance of undereye “fat pads.” When used as a treatment for alopecia, mesotherapy appears to be able to stimulate hair regrowth in treated areas.
The fat reduction benefits of mesotherapy are most often compared to the benefits of liposuction. Of course, mesotherapy also comes with the additional benefits of minimal discomfort and shortened healing times. In fact, whereas liposuction involves several days away from work and several months of recovery before all the associated swelling has gone down, most patients who undergo mesotherapy are able to resume their normal activities immediately following the procedure. Furthermore, the microinjections involved in mesotherapy are relatively painless, and each session lasts only about 30 minutes.
Risks
Mesotherapy usually involves only minimal pain or discomfort, but side effects such as localized itching, bruising, stinging, numbness and/or soreness are possible. Patients are usually advised to wear loose, comfortable clothing following the procedure and to use topical creams or supplements in order to reduce bruising. In rare cases, a previously unknown allergy may trigger a reaction to the injected substance. Sometimes unexpected allergic reactions can even be life-threatening. Because no anesthesia is required, the risks of anesthesia-related complications do not apply.
Like most cosmetic procedures, mesotherapy can be quite expensive. Typically, a number of treatment sessions are necessary in order to achieve the desired result.
The Bottom Line
Who among us has not at some point wished for something… anything… to make us look thinner or younger instantly without having to diet, exercise or undergo serious cosmetic surgery? Practitioners of mesotherapy claim to be able to do just that. While the decision to undergo any type of cosmetic procedure is extremely personal, for many men and women, the potential for dramatic results without excessive pain or serious risks is simply to exciting to resist. If you can afford it and feel strongly that the potential benefits of this relatively new treatment are too tempting to ignore, mesotherapy may just be worth a try.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
