Introduction

Mesotherapy is a medical procedure introduced in 1958 for the treatment of vascular and lymphatic diseases, which consists of injecting substances such as vitamins, hormones, enzymes, or medications into the middle layer of the skin, which are administered directly to the area. that requires treatment. ,

What is mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy comes from the Greek word “mesos” which means medium, and “therapeia” which means “to treat medically”. It is a technique in which substances are introduced through injections into the middle layer of the skin or the fatty tissue below it, which allows it to act on the fat cells (adipocytes) stimulating the release of their fat content, in addition to promoting vascular microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, which is why it is used for facial rejuvenation, in addition to the treatment of cellulite and localized fat.

The substances can be injected alone or in combination, the most used in mesotherapy are:

Vitamins: for their antioxidant effect
Zinc, selenium, and iron: useful as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories
Organic silicon: protects cell membranes and helps collagen synthesis and skin hydration
Dimethyl-amino-ethanol (DMAE): helps hydration and gives a tightening effect on the skin
Hyaluronic acid: favors the elasticity and firmness of the skin, in addition to hydrating it
Glycerol: helps hydration of the skin
Phosphatidylcholine: helps eliminate the content of fat cells
Platelet-rich plasma: it is administered by mesotherapy and works on aging.

In cases of hair loss (alopecia), mesotherapy with substances such as vitamins, antioxidants, dutasteride and minoxidil is used as part of the treatment. Weekly sessions are held and then monthly maintenance sessions to assess the response.

To combat sagging skin, substances such as DMAE and hyaluronic acid are frequently used to improve skin tone and hydrate it. In addition, mesotherapy helps the generation of collagen and improves microcirculation.

Until now, it is considered one of the most effective treatments against cellulite. Organic silicon is one of the most widely used substances, since in addition to acting on fat cells, it can regenerate skin fibers and improve “orange skin”. Pentoxifylline is another of the substances used for its effect against fat cells in addition to promoting the activity of blood vessels, improving circulation. Unlike the face, in body mesotherapy diuretic and lipolytic cocktails are used to reduce volume and improve the appearance of orange peel “,

Mesotherapy is an ideal complement to peels, microneedles, laser, radiofrequency, and botulinum toxin. It is also used to improve the wound healing process, as it helps the production of collagen

What are its uses?

As mesotherapy is considered a route of administration of drugs, it is used by many specialties such as rheumatology, stomatology, sports medicine, among others.

In aesthetic medicine it is used to:

Facial aging
Sagging skin
Scars
Acne
Stretch marks
Cellulitis
Alopecia or hair loss
Localized fat

According to mesotherapy, it is guaranteed that there is a maximum penetration of the active principles, therefore, the effects that are achieved are superior to those that can be obtained with other routes of application.

Who is a candidate for mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy can be performed by anyone who has a good general state of health and who presents some of the signs that we detail below:

Facial aging
Skin flaccidity
Localized fat
Orange peel or cellulite
Hair loss (men or women)

It must be borne in mind that before carrying out the treatment, the professional will evaluate the patients to choose one technique or another according to the pathology, the objectives, the needs and the patient’s condition.

Mesotherapy is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Nor should it be performed in minors, people with Diabetes Mellitus, chronic diseases, blood or heart or in cases of allergies.

How do find the right person to perform the procedure?

The professional who can perform this treatment should always be an aesthetic doctor, dermatologist or plastic surgeon, trained in this type of therapy. Mesotherapy must be performed in a sterile environment, in a clinic or medical center that has the appropriate health certifications.

Make sure that the professional who is going to perform this procedure has experience and if you see it necessary, also ask for images of the results achieved in other patients. It is also important to search the internet for opinions and results about the doctor and the clinic.

What happens during the first consultation?

During the premium appointment, the doctor will prepare your medical history. For this reason, you must detail any chronic diseases or medications that you are taking at this time. The doctor will explain the procedure, the advantages and care that you should have before and after having performed it. Photographs will always be taken to assess the results once the procedure is completed.

Remember that even if it is not an invasive treatment, it is important that both the professional and the clinic transmit security and professionalism.

How is the procedure performed?

The doctor will clean the skin of the area to be treated, if necessary apply an anesthetic cream. Next, he will proceed to make multiple injections in the area, the number of injections will depend on the objective of the treatment and the size of the area you are treating . Each session lasts approximately 15 to 30 minutes and is generally not painful. If patients experience discomfort, an anesthetic cream can be applied prior to treatment.

The technique consists of the application of injections in the middle layer of the skin, at a depth no greater than 2mm. These injections can be made point by point (4mm depth), or in sequence (2mm depth) for which guns are used that allow multiple injections in sequence more quickly. When working on aging skin, the face, neck, and décolleté will be pricked. In the case of cellulite, the injections should be a little deeper and will be applied point by point.

Once the session is over, the doctor can perform a draining massage. In this way, the effect of the injection will be accentuated and the mobilization of fat will be stimulated to achieve its dissolution.

Normally, about 10 or 12 sessions are necessary , depending on each case, and it usually begins by doing one session a week and then, they can be spaced every fifteen days or every month.

What happens after the procedure?

Your doctor will recommend that you apply ice or cold compresses to the area, along with creams to reduce the chance of bruising and reduce swelling. It is normal for you to feel itchy, tender, or a burning sensation in the area. , mesotherapy can be performed at any time of the year and after the sessions the patient can resume their usual routine.

It is better to wear loose clothing on the day of the procedure to reduce discomfort. You should avoid exercising, smoking, exposing yourself to the sun, or drinking alcohol for the next few days. At home, you can gently massage the area to prevent swelling and nodules from forming.

Mesotherapy results

The results will be visible from the 3 or 4 session, these should be weekly initially for 1 or 2 months, then they will be spaced biweekly or monthly depending on the work plan indicated by your doctor. Usually a total of 10 to 15 sessions are carried out.

When it comes to skin aging, the end result will be skin that is more vital, brighter, firmer and more hydrated. In the case of cellulite, a month after starting the treatment, you should begin to notice a decrease in the appearance of orange peel and localized fat.

It must be borne in mind that the effects will be seen in the long term as long as some maintenance sessions are carried out and the doctor’s instructions are followed.

Risks and side effects

Mesotherapy is usually a very safe treatment since small doses of active substances are used to reduce side effects.Even so, as in any procedure, there are associated risks such as:

Allergy to any of the substances used.
Swelling and tenderness of the area
Itching and redness of the area
Injection site infections
The appearance of hematomas in the areas of injections
Formation of masses under the skin (cysts or nodules)
Spots at injection sites

Frequent questions

What are the advantages of this procedure? As small doses of active substances are used, the treatment is safer, reducing side effects. The response is fast and the substances that are injected can perform several functions, such as tightening, hydration, and regeneration, and helping with various signs of aging of the skin. It is a painless technique, easy to apply and the recovery time is fast. In addition, it can be done on any type of skin color (phototype) and is the ideal complement to other aesthetic treatments.
How long does each session last? Each session lasts approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the area you are treating.
Is mesotherapy painful? It is generally not a painful treatment. Some patients may feel a little discomfort with the injections, but if necessary, anesthetic cream is applied before the procedure.
How long do the effects last? The effects are long-term, as long as the maintenance sessions and recommendations indicated by your doctor are carried out.
How many sessions are necessary? Usually, it is necessary to carry out a weekly session initially, which can then be biweekly or monthly until the treatment is completed, which suggests between 10 to 12 sessions,
Can it be combined with other treatments? It is frequently used in combination with other treatments such as peels, microneedles, laser, radiofrequency, and botulinum toxin.