Is it effective? Experts give their opinions.
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You’d be surprised how many beauty treatments there are that you may not know about. Mesotherapy, a treatment founded in France, is one such treatment that has been around since the early 1920s, but is less well known in the United States.
If you, too, would like to learn more about this treatment and consider undergoing it yourself, read this article to find out the benefits of mesotherapy, how long it lasts, typical costs, side effects, and more.
What is mesotherapy?
In its simplest form, mesotherapy involves injecting something into the skin. Mesotherapy, also known as “biorevitalization”, is a strategic technique that can yield different results depending on the ingredients used. “It’s basically a transdermal injection of various compounds such as multivitamins, peptides, natural plant extracts, and even fat cell (adipocyte) reduction,” says Pietro Simone Skincare, renowned esthetician and founder of Pietro Simone Skin Care. explains Mr. Pietro Simone, “Biorevitalization involves injecting ingredients, not necessarily fillers or Botox, into the skin that cause the skin tissue to rejuvenate.”
Benefits of mesotherapy
According to Simone, the benefits of mesotherapy are related to the types of ingredients used, from deep hydration to stimulating fibroblasts, whitening to support regenerative processes, and combating cellulite and stretch marks.
Dr. David Goldberg, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, is less convinced about mesotherapy’s effectiveness. “We did a study published in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery more than 10 years ago that showed that both clinical evaluation and skin biopsies showed that when vitamins and minerals were injected into the skin alone, there was no improvement. “We’ve shown that you can’t see it,” explains Dr. Goldberg. . Although this technique remains popular in France, it is now rarely used in the United States.
However, what is now common in the United States is mesotherapy using hyaluronic acid, a simpler form of hyaluronic acid used as a filler. “These injections are great moisturizers, so they give your skin a glow,” says Dr. Goldberg. “Finally, a substance similar to Botox is administered in microdoses (mesobotox) for fine lines, oily skin, pore size, and flushing.”
How long does mesotherapy last?
This varies greatly depending on the individual, their lifestyle, and the condition of their skin at the beginning of treatment. “Generally speaking, when I was preparing a client’s dermatological pre-doctor mesotherapy session, the client was instructed on a series of treatments,” Simone explains. In general, hyaluronic acid mesotherapy should be done once a month, while mesobotox is done every three months, according to Dr. Goldberg.
How much does mesotherapy cost?
Of course, this will depend on your location and where you receive your mesotherapy treatment. According to Dr. Goldberg, hyaluronic acid mesotherapy treatments cost about $300 to $500 per treatment, and mesobotox treatments cost him about $1000 to $1500 per session.
Mesotherapy side effects
According to Jimmy C. Sun, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director of Tribeca Aesthetics, most substances used in mesotherapy are manufactured by compounders, which lacks uniform standards and quality control. It is said that they are doing so. “Also, in some cases, drugs are injected off-label and no clinical studies have been conducted on efficacy and safety. [of mesotherapy],” he explains. “Infections, bumps, lumps on the skin where you got the injection.” [can occur]”
Generally speaking, it should be a safe and smooth treatment, Simone said. However, it is very important to know what the ingredients used in mesotherapy are. “Swelling can occur very commonly, and there can also be bruising and redness. These are the main things I observed before and after treatment,” says Simone.
What to expect during mesotherapy treatment
Treatment actually varies by doctor. “I always prepped the skin and then had the doctor do the injection part,” Simone explains. “Then I would have continued with calming massages, LED therapy, and all the related products.”
The main part of mesotherapy is multiple microinjections, usually covering the entire face, neck, and eventually the décolletage. “Mesotherapy requires large amounts of microinjection, so if you’re afraid of needles, I don’t think this is the best treatment,” Simone says.
Difference between mesotherapy and liposuction
Fat-dissolving mesotherapy typically uses chemicals such as phospholipids to destroy fat cells. “It’s like pouring Drano to degrease your kitchen drain,” explains Dr. Song. “Its effects are difficult to predict or control. Liposuction, on the other hand, surgically removes fat and is more precise and predictable.”
Although lipolytic mesotherapy and liposuction aim for the same result, their action and timing are very different. Simone says that with mesotherapy, clients typically book a set number of appointments to achieve the desired results. With liposuction, the opposite is true, and you should (generally) achieve the results described in one visit.
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