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Mesotherapy FAQ's
Mesotherapy is an exciting specialty in aesthetic medicine that has revolutionized the treatment of fat and cellulite. It offers results similar to liposuction without surgery. Mesotherapy is a safe, non-invasive procedure that involves the injection of microscopic quantities of pharmaceutical agents, natural plant extracts, homeopathic medicines and vitamins into the mesoderm, the layer of fat and connective tissue under the skin. Each patient is treated with a customized formula to address specific needs and body types.
Mesotherapy attacks the causes of cellulite and optimally targets adipose cells virtually melting the fat away. It can be used for body contouring of the hips, buttocks, inner thighs, love handles, abdomen and arms, and for the reduction of cellulite. The most popular areas treated are the love handles, saddle bags, and arms.
To get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Mesotherapy, click on a question below:
- How long has mesotherapy been available?
- Who is a good candidate for mesotherapy?
- What areas of the body can be treated?
- Should anything special be done prior to a mesotherapy treatment?
- What is the recovery time after a mesotherapy treatment?
- Have the medicines used in mesotherapy been FDA approved?
- What is liposuction?
- What is the difference between mesotherapy and liposuction?
- What is cellulite?
- What contributes to cellulite formation?
- What are the stages of cellulite?
- How does mesotherapy improve cellulite?
- How does mesotherapy work on weight loss and spot reduction?
- When will I see results?
- How long will the results last?
- Are the treatments painful?
- Are there any side effects?
- Can I go back to work after the procedure?
- How many treatments are required to reduce fat?
- What are typical costs for mesotherapy?
- What about body sculpting with mesotherapy?
- Can mesotherapy be used for weight loss?
- Is Mesotherapy unsafe for anyone?
- Before you undergo Mesotherapy, what health conditions are particularly important to let your doctor know about it?
- How can I confirm my physician is competent to perform Mesotherapy?
1. How long has mesotherapy been available?
Mesotherapy was discovered in France by Dr. Pistor in 1952 and has been practiced in Europe for over 50 years. In France, alone, there are over 15,000 physicians practicing mesotherapy as a recognized specialty. Mesotherapy is based on delivering small amounts of medicine directly to a localized problem area. This not only hasten results but decreases the potential for side effects.
2. Who is a good candidate for mesotherapy?
Any adult between the ages 16 to 75 who is in good health is a potential candidate for mesotherapy and may benefit from localized fat spot reduction, and cellulite reduction.
The ideal candidate for mesotherapy is someone who exercises regularly, is within 25 pounds of ideal body weight, and has normal deposits of fat or cellulite that haven’t responded to diet and exercise.
3. What areas of the body can be treated by mesotherapy?
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4. Should anything special be done prior to a Mestotherapy treatment?
It is recommended that a high protein meal be eaten before the treatment. Any foods or beverages containing caffeine, cold tablets that contain antihistamines as well as anti-inflammatory medications should be avoided the day of treatment. Some examples of antihistamines are Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, Tavist and Allegra. Some examples of anti-inflammatory are Naprosyn, Motrin, Advil and Aleve. If diet medications are used, it is suggested you ask the physician whether they should be taken on the day of the procedure.
5. What is the recovery time after a Mesotherapy treatment?
There is no down time or recovery time for mesotherapy. The patient will be back to regular activities immediately, however hot showers should be avoided for 12 hours.
6. Have the medicines used in mesotherapy been FDA approved?
All the medicines used in mesotherapy are FDA approved but their use in mesotherapy is considered off-label. This is a common situation. An example of an off- label use of a medication is Botox. Botox was originally FDA approved for controlling muscle spasms, but for over 20 years physicians used it to treat wrinkles prior to FDA approval for this particular usage.
7. What is liposuction?
Liposuction involves the surgical removal of pockets of fat to contour an area of the body. It is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure. A tube called a cannula is inserted through an incision in the skin and fat cells are suctioned out. Intravenous fluids are given to replace bodily fluids lost during the treatment. Liposuction carries risks for anyone with medical problems such as diabetes, heart or lung disease or poor circulation.
It is common to have significant bruising and discomfort after liposuction and patients must plan to be home for at least 2 weeks after the treatment is performed.
Liposuction is a useful and popular procedure, and is commonly performed in conjunction with mesotherapy.
8. What's the difference between mesotherapy and liposuction?
Liposuction removes fat cells from given areas of the body, mesotherapy mobilizes the fat cells which are then excreted. After a liposuction procedure, there is a risk of fat being redeposited in areas of the body that were not problematic before the procedure. For example, a patient who had liposuction done on the hips and buttocks may gain weight afterwards on the back or shoulders. This has not been the case with mesotherapy.
Liposuction may leave a lumpy appearance to the skin in area that was treated. The skin is left smooth after mesotherapy. mesotherapy is commonly used after liposuction to correct the irregularities left after liposuction.
Liposuction is a surgical and invasive procedure that involves downtime, but has the advantage that it can be performed in one sitting. Mesootherapy is performed every two weeks for an average of 4-6 sessions but involves no downtime and less risk. Although, some people may see a good result after just 1-2 sessions.
Mesotherapy is non surgical and it doesn’t require general anesthesia, compressive wraps, hospitalization, etc.
One other big difference is that liposuction does not treat cellulite while mesotherapy does.
9. What is cellulite?
Cellulite is a condition that gives a lumpy, dimpled appearance to the skin, especially on the hips, buttocks and legs. It affects 95% of post-pubescent women and the majority of women over age 21. Cellulite is not limited to women who are overweight and is commonly found in slim females. Again, cellulite is not a disease of excess weight, though this may aggravate the condition. It is also not caused by lack of exercise or improper diet.
Cellulite is created by the poor micro -vascular circulation experienced with declining estrogen levels, a weakening of connective tissue in the area, fat herniation and lymphatic congestion. It is also caused by fat accumulation and fluid retention. Genetics also play a role.
Fat cells in the subcutaneous layer of the skin are arranged in chambers, divided by connective tissue elements called septae. As the fat cells in each chamber absorb water and excess fat they enlarge and stretch through the connective tissue walls. The connective tissue hardens, retracts and the skin in the area becomes inflexible. What results is the “cottage cheese” appearance to the skin.
People have spent a great deal of money on the promise of decreased cellulite only to be disappointed by the lack of results. Mesotherapy is the only true therapy today that improves the appearance of cellulite.
10. What contributes to cellulite formation?
- Genetic predisposition
- Hormonal changes, especially estrogen decline, resulting in poor circulation.
- Decreasing skin tone with age
- Weight gain and lack of exercise can aggravate the condition.
11. What are the stages of Cellulite?
Stage 0 : No visible cellulite even when skin is pinched
Stage I : No visible cellulite when standing or lying down, however “orange peel” texture can be seen when skin is pinched.
Stage II : Visible cellulite when standing, but not when lying down.
Stage III : Visible cellulite when standing and lying down.
12. Does mesotherapy improve cellulite?
Yes. It does so through Improvement in both venous and lymphatic circulation. It also decreases connective tissue bands that give the cottage cheese appearance to the skin and dissolve fat lobules trapped between these bands creating tighter, smoother skin.
13. How does mesotherapy work on weight loss and spot reduction?
In women, fat cells, especially those in the lower part of the body, are programmed to store fat for evolutionary reasons. This fat is held onto and it makes weight loss from the lower body very difficult. With mesotherapy the biology of the fat cell is modified by blocking the signals for fat accumulation while simultaneously triggering the release of stored fat.
14. When will I see results?
The timing of results depends on the area treated and the extent of the problem. Double chins will usually show visible improvement after the first treatment while areas with cellulite and fat should show improvement after the first few treatments.
15. How long do the results last?
Patients who make a commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle after Mesotherapy, with proper diet and regular exercise, should maintain results for an extended period of time.
16. Are the treatments painful?
The majority of patients experience minimal discomfort. A topical anesthetic cream is used prior to the procedure. The diameter of the needle utilized is tiny, similar to that of an eyelash, and the length only 4-6 mm for most treatments.
17. Are there any side effects?
Possible side effects are generally mild and may include a short period of burning or itching, as well as temporary soreness which can last from a few minutes to as long as four days. Temporary bruising is common. Most bruises fade within one week and by two weeks should be completely gone.
18. Can I go back to work after the procedure?
Yes. The treatments generally take 60 minutes and no downtime is expected afterwards. No heavy bandages or compressive girdles are used.
19. How many treatments are required to reduce fat?
Treatment visit requirements vary from patient to patient, depending on the amount of, and location of fat being treated, the goals of the individual patient and whether a healthy diet and exercise regimen is followed. A thin patient with love handles or saddlebags will require fewer treatments than an obese patient looking to treat a large abdomen, for example. An average patient may require 3-6 treatments while an athlete concentrating on a small, targeted area might only require 3-4 treatments. Although some patients may see a good result after just 1-2 sessions. See mesotherapy photos.
20. What are typical costs for mesotherapy?
The typical cost is $299 - $399 per treatment. The cost is less when the treatments are pre-purchased in a package.
21. What about body sculpting with mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy can contour the abdomen, arms and legs, Vitamins and antioxidants are used to tighten the sagging skin while other agents are used to remove areas of fat, restoring a more youthful and athletic appearance to the body’s contours.
22. Can mesotherapy be used for weight loss?
The results of Mesotherapy are measured in inches, not pounds. It is not uncommon to lose up to two dress sizes and several inches from the hips and waist after a series of treatments.
23. Is mesotherapy unsafe for anyone?
Yes. Women who are pregnant, anyone on blood thinners , insulin-dependent diabetics, cancer or AIDS patients, anyone suffering from coronary artery heart disease or heart dysfunction, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), and people with a history of blood clots or strokes
24. Before you undergo mesotherapy, what health conditions are particularly important to let your doctor know about it?
- Symptomatic Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Active Skin Infections or Fever
- Diabetes
- Medications, including Beta Blockers and diet medications
25. How can I assure that my physician is competent to perform mesotherapy?
The level of training for mesotherapy varies considerably. Look for a physician who has undergone comprehensive hands-on training in mesotherapy, including proving competency in advanced techniques. There are just a small number of physicians who are accredited in the United States to date, so ask directly about these details in order to validate understanding of the techniques. Also ask how long the training process was and who sponsored the training.