Mesotherapy For The Face – Benefits, Procedure, And Side Effects
Know all about this cosmetic procedure and how it can benefit your skin in multiple ways.
By , Certified Skin Care Coach
Forget about facials and other skin rejuvenating treatments. If you want that lit-from-within glow, try mesotherapy for the face. This aesthetic procedure is all about injecting amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and other skin-nourishing ingredients to rejuvenate your skin and make it appear bright, healthy, and youthful. This procedure claims to work wonders for your face and is considered safe. If you haven’t heard of it before, scroll down to learn more about mesotherapy, its benefits, and the procedure.
In This Article
Mesotherapy For Face: What Is It?
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This is a procedure in which the doctor uses injections with very fine needles to deliver enzymes, hormones, and vitamins to your skin to tighten and rejuvenate it. This procedure was first invented in France by Dr. Michel Pistor to help relieve pain caused by medical conditions. However, later, it was used in cosmetic dermatology for fat removal (often as an alternative to liposuction).
The term “meso” means middle. This therapy is called mesotherapy because fine needles are used to deliver injections to the middle layer of your skin. The whole idea of this therapy was to treat the underlying issues, such as inflammation and poor circulation, that cause skin damage (1).
Mesotherapy is often used for addressing a wide range of skin issues like:
- Pigmentation
- Skin tightening
- Cellulite reductionLines and wrinkles
- Fat removal from the face, arms, thighs, stomach, hips, and legs
- Alopecia
There are multiple benefits to this procedure.
What Are The Benefits Of Mesotherapy?
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1. Your Skin Gets A High Concentrate Of Vitamins And Other Ingredients
The high concentration of serums, vitamins, and other nutritious blends of potent ingredients makes your skin feel refreshed and rejuvenated. When done correctly, mesotherapy ensures that the products are delivered to your skin properly.
2. It Can Be An Alternative To Expensive Surgeries
It can be a part of your anti-aging skin routine and is less invasive than other procedures and plastic surgeries. You do not need to go under the knife to look better. The concentrated serums are delivered to your skin using needles, and you get natural-looking, healthy skin. Also, there is no downtime.
3. It Can Address Multiple Skin Needs
Whether you are looking for an anti-aging solution or want to boost the radiance of your skin, you will get customized ingredients for your skin. The skin gets an energy boost, and you can see visible results right after the first session.
4. It Brightens Your Skin
Depending on the ingredients, mesotherapy can address skin issues, such as age spots, pigmentation, and melasma. It can brighten up your face and even out your skin tone.
5. It Keeps Your Skin Hydrated
Mesotherapy can also help in boosting the skin’s moisture content and make it appear plump, firm, and healthy.
Mesotherapy is not a complicated process. However, you need to go for an initial consultation with your dermatologist and discuss your concerns. He/she is the best person to understand the needs of your skin and the type of ingredients it might need.
Depending on the intensity of your treatment and the ingredients used, the number of sessions may vary. Treatments are usually customized. Here is a brief overview of what exactly happens during the procedure.
What to Expect During The Procedure
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You have to stop using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and aspirin (in case you are using any of them) for a week before the facial procedure because they might increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.
During The Treatment
- The doctor might apply a topical anesthetic on the areas that are to be treated. This, however, depends on your pain tolerance levels.
- The doctor uses a microneedle to inject the ingredients into the target area. You will receive a series of injections.
- The injections are delivered at different depths of around 1 to 4 millimeters into your skin. This, again, depends on the skin issue you have.
Depending on the skin issue, its intensity, and the effects, you might need several mesotherapy sessions. The doctor can tell you exactly how many sessions per week you might need to get the desired results.
There haven’t been enough studies on mesotherapy and its effects, but every cosmetic therapy comes with its share of undesirable effects. And mesotherapy is no exception.
Side Effects And Risks Involved In Mesotherapy
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Some of the common side effects include (1):
- Edema (swelling caused by injury or inflammation)
- Erythema (redness of the skin)
- Itching
- Mild pain (on the treated area)
- Skin hyperesthesia (increase in skin sensitivity)
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Tender subcutaneous nodules in the treated area
- Pigmentation issues
- Hypersensitive skin reactions (rashes etc.)
You might even develop allergic reactions to some medicines and ingredients that are used in mesotherapy. Hence, it is crucial to find out whether you are allergic to the ingredients or not.
Adverse effects of the procedure were also reported due to:
- Faulty techniques that cause scarring and infection
- A poor aseptic procedure that may also transmit skin and other infections (1)
This procedure is not FDA approved, and even the guidelines of The American Society for Plastic Surgeons do not recommend mesotherapy for fat removal. According to them, there is very limited scientific research available on using mesotherapy for fat removal (2).
Mesotherapy is a procedure in which your doctor uses injections to inject vitamins, proteins, and enzymes into the middle layer of your skin. Doing mesotherapy may even out your skin tone, keep it hydrated, and address various skin issues. Mesotherapy is also used for fat removal, but more studies need to be conducted to understand its effectiveness. Mesotherapy may result in side effects such as itching, redness, swelling, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. So, before you choose to do mesotherapy for your face, consult a dermatologist to get more information regarding the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should mesotherapy be done?
The number of times you should get a mesotherapy depends on your skin issue and desired result. Usually, you may have to do it more than 4 times to get the desired results.
Is mesotherapy the same as Botox?
No, they are not the same. Botox is injected into the muscle layer, whereas the ingredients are injected into the skin in mesotherapy.
How long does mesotherapy treatment last?
The results may last up to years if you follow a healthy lifestyle and undergo maintenance sessions every 5 months.
Which is better – microneedling or mesotherapy?
While mesotherapy makes the skin healthy, microneedling is a more effective and safe method to improve the skin’s appearance.
Is mesotherapy a filler?
No, mesotherapy is not a filler. It cannot restore the lost volume of the skin.
Sources
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- “Mesotherapy – The french connection”, Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, US National Library of Medicine.
- “ASPS Guiding Principles..”, American Society Of Plastic Surgeons
