Mesotherapy is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that revitalizes and deeply hydrates the skin. This method involves injecting a unique combination of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other natural hydrating substances directly into various areas of the skin using small needles. Mesotherapy can address issues such as premature aging, scars, acne, and hair loss, helping to achieve smoother, firmer skin and healthier, fuller hair.
What is Mesotherapy?
Before we dive in, it’s best to answer the main question: What is mesotherapy? In simple terms, mesotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting substances into the skin to rejuvenate it, reduce cellulite, enhance skin firmness, maintain its structure, shape the face and body, and treat hyperpigmentation (skin discoloration).
Mesotherapy is highly customizable because there is no standard formulation. This allows doctors to tailor the combination of ingredients based on the individual needs of the patient. This flexibility enables physicians to use different solutions, such as enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, to nourish and strengthen the skin. Hormones and prescribed medications may also be used in certain formulations to achieve better results depending on the patient’s specific needs.
Moreover, differences in laws and regulations across countries can lead to variations in how mesotherapy is practiced. These differences may arise due to cultural factors, market conditions, or pharmaceutical restrictions in different regions. Doctors continually experiment with new techniques and combinations to provide better outcomes for their patients.
What are the Applications of Mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is widely regarded as a non-invasive and effective beauty treatment. It is particularly used for facial rejuvenation, cellulite treatment, alopecia (hair loss), and localized fat reduction. Below is a closer look at some of the primary applications of mesotherapy.
Facial Mesotherapy (Skin Rejuvenation)
Aging of the skin is a natural process that occurs over time, but factors like ultraviolet (UV) light, smoking, and environmental pollution can accelerate this process. UV light degrades collagen and elastin, two proteins essential for maintaining skin firmness. Smoking reduces blood flow and skin cell nourishment, which further contributes to skin structure breakdown. Environmental pollutants also cause oxidative stress, damaging the skin and leading to wrinkles and sagging.
In these cases, facial mesotherapy emerges as an effective solution. By injecting nutrients directly into the skin’s deeper layers, mesotherapy can help repair and strengthen the skin. The injected substances, including vitamins, antioxidants, and hydrating agents, promote collagen and elastin production, nourishing the skin from within. This process not only helps reduce fine lines but also enhances skin radiance and softness.
Cellulite Treatment
Phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholic acid are two key compounds used in mesotherapy for cellulite treatment due to their ability to break down localized fat deposits. These ingredients help reduce the appearance of cellulite by targeting the fat cells beneath the skin. However, the precise mechanism of how these substances work is not fully understood, and more research is needed to determine their effects on fat and skin tissues.
A common protocol followed by many practitioners involves several stages. First, compounds like phosphatidylcholine are injected to break down localized fat. Then, mesotherapy is applied, introducing nutrients, antioxidants, and hydrating agents to rejuvenate the skin. The final stage is lymphatic massage, which helps stimulate lymph flow and eliminate broken-down fats from the body.
Eyelid Fat Reduction
Mesotherapy is also used as a non-surgical option to treat fat pads under the lower eyelids. In this method, a combination of nutrients, antioxidants, and fat-dissolving medications is injected directly into the skin layers. These injections break down the localized fat and improve the appearance of the lower eyelids. This method is typically suitable for those who prefer not to undergo surgery or need only a mild cosmetic improvement.
Hair Mesotherapy (Hair Loss Treatment)
Mesotherapy is a well-known non-surgical treatment for hair loss. In this method, a solution typically containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that stimulate hair growth is injected directly into the mesoderm (the middle layer of the skin), which supplies nutrients to hair follicles.
The injected solution boosts blood circulation in the scalp, nourishing hair follicles and stimulating hair growth. In addition to enhancing hair cell nourishment, this method can help balance hormones and prevent hair loss caused by hormonal imbalances. The ingredients in the solution can also reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the scalp, promoting overall scalp and hair health.
What are the Side Effects of Mesotherapy?
While mesotherapy is considered a low-risk procedure, it is not without side effects. Depending on various factors, individuals may experience one or more of the following:
- Nausea
- Pain in the injection area
- Redness at the injection site
- Bruising
- Swelling at the injection site
- Infection
- Scarring
How Much Does Mesotherapy Cost?
The cost of mesotherapy depends on factors such as the amount and type of substances used, the physician’s expertise, the geographical location of the Aesthetic clinic, and more. Therefore, it’s challenging to provide a fixed price. However, the average cost of mesotherapy in 2024 is estimated to range from 700,000 to 3 million tomans (Iranian currency).
When Will the Results of Mesotherapy Be Visible?
The timeline for visible results depends on the type of treatment. Some patients may notice results after their first session, but many will need to undergo two to three mesotherapy sessions before seeing significant improvements. Hyaluronic acid works quickly to add volume to the skin, while the effects of vitamin and mineral injections take longer to manifest as they gradually improve skin quality. Typically, three to four sessions are required to observe noticeable results.
Is Mesotherapy Painful?
Mesotherapy is generally less painful compared to other treatments due to the use of very fine needles. Most patients tolerate the procedure well, experiencing only mild discomfort, which is usually brief and manageable due to the thinness of the needles. If necessary, a topical numbing gel or cream can be applied before the injections to reduce any discomfort.
How Long Do Mesotherapy Results Last?
Most individuals begin to see results after a few treatment sessions. However, predicting exactly how long these results will last is difficult, as the natural aging process affecting the skin cannot be stopped. Nevertheless, undergoing two to four sessions per year can ensure continuous and deep skin nourishment, leading to more sustained visible results.