Does Mesotherapy Work?

Mesotherapy was developed by French physician Michel Pistor in 1952. Many cosmetic surgeons worldwide have since performed the procedure. There is great media hype about the effectiveness of mesotherapy. The success and effectiveness of mesotherapy has also come through word-of-mouth. The recorded effectiveness of the procedure, however, usually comes through testimonials from people who have personally experienced successful treatments. No scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of mesotherapy.

Identification

• Mesotherapy is a process that involves injecting certain drugs, vitamins, herbs, chemicals and other substances into various layers of your skin. The procedure is done to make your skin look younger. The most popular use of mesotherapy is to burn unwanted and excess fat and cellulite in your body. It can also be used to treat acne and hair loss.

Unapproved Drugs

• The drugs used for mesotherapy have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs have not, however, been approved for the cosmetic purposes involved with mesotherapy. When you undergo mesotherapy, your body is injected with what are known as 'off-label' drugs. This means that the effectiveness of the procedure is not covered by any form of FDA approval.

No Scientific Evidence

• There is no consistency in terms of what is in the chemical mixture doctors inject into your body during mesotherapy. Every doctor is free to decide what to include in the mixture. Mesotherapy is a completely unregulated process. There is no standard scientific evidence to prove whether mesotherapy works, and if so, how safe it is, or whether there are long-term side effects involved with it.

Time Frame

• Mesotherapy cannot treat cellulite after only one injection. You will probably need between 5 to 10 sessions for the procedure to remove your fat. The injections will be needed every two weeks for as much as six to eight weeks. You will likely experience short-term side effects like soreness, itching and mild bruising for a day or two after each session. Mild swelling will probably occur for up to three days after each procedure. After mesotherapy, it is possible that your cellulite may return, so you will need to have repeated sessions in the future to keep it under control.

Warning

• For approximately $150 per session, mesotherapy treatment could easily become an expensive weight-loss plan with unpredictable results. People have experienced pain, allergic reactions (such as hives), swelling and even weight gain as a result of undergoing mesotherapy treatment. Skin ulcerations, infections and scarring are additional possible side effects.