Mesotherapy is an invasive medical technique invented in 1952 by the French physician Michel Pistor. In principle, indicated for the treatment of pain, it consists of the injection of active ingredients into the dermis for various purposes.
The fundamental idea of mesotherapy was and is, “few times, but in the right place”.
In aesthetics it is used for the reduction of localized fat, expression wrinkles, wrinkle filling, etc.
Injections occur in several sessions. They are applied at a superficial level, in the first layer of the dermis and are not painful.
What is injected mesotherapy for?
Mesotherapy has two effects. Firstly, pharmacological, which is produced by the active ingredients when they come into contact with the dermis and the bloodstream.
Depending on the molecular weight of the active ingredients, they are dispersed to a lesser or greater extent.
On the other hand, the injection itself generates a reflex effect that stimulates skin receptors and microcirculation.
This treatment can be used for various purposes, but is indicated to combat flaccidity, skin aging, dryness, wrinkles, acne, stretch marks, cellulite and localized fat.
For them, the injected active ingredients work on or enhance skin hydration, tightening, elasticity and nutrition.
Adverse effects
As for adverse effects, it may cause bruising at the injection site, burning, mild to moderate pain, skin reactions and irregularities in the skin tissues.
What is injected?
Depending on the desired purpose, certain active ingredients are used, such as trace elements, minerals, amino acids, hyaluronic acid and vitamins, among others, to improve blood and lymphatic circulation.
Combinations of active ingredients are usually used to achieve better results. The most commonly used assets are:
- Vitamins A, B, C and E.
- Trace elements such as copper, zinc, magnesium, selenium and iron.
- Hyaluronic acid, as a skin moisturizer.
- Glycerol, also a skin moisturizer.
- Organic silicon, which protects the cell membrane and connective tissue.
- Amino acids, to help in the formation of collagens and elastin.
- Peptides, which act as signaling cells.
- Polynucleotides, to activate fibroblast renewal.
Types of injected mesotherapy
Injected mesotherapy treatments can be applied to the skin with a gun or manually, although the latter offers more freedom when it comes to handling and adapting the way of working on the skin.
In addition, there are different types of mesotherapy, depending on the injection technique. These are the most outstanding ones:
- Nappage: it consists of hand pricking superficially, from 0.5 to 2 mm deep, applying a drop in each prick with an approximate distance of 2 to 4 mm.
- Stitch by stitch: deeper needling, between 2 to 4 mm, by hand or with an electronic injector, the distance between stitches will be more than 1 cm.
- Intradermal papule: this technique is performed tangentially, with the bevel upwards, a volume of approximately 0.5 ml is injected causing a micropapule.
Alternatives to injected mesotherapy
Mesotherapy can be very effective, but there are several aspects to consider:
- It is an invasive treatment.
- The application is painful, because they are pricks.
- It must be performed by medical personnel.
- There are few legal substances that can be injected, because they can reach the bloodstream.
- There are areas where it is not possible to inject.
There are other treatments that can be used or could replace injected mesotherapy. Currently, the most powerful technique and the one that provides the best results is electroporation, also known as virtual mesotherapy.
- Products for topical use: are those that through their topical application can produce changes through their introduction into the skin. Since this introduction is physically very complicated, topical products excel at increasing skin hydration.
- Iontophoresis: is a technique that uses the action of galvanic current to introduce ions into the skin and certain tissues.
- Sonophoresis:is a non-invasive insertion technique that uses ultrasound to facilitate the introduction of assets. The term ultrasonophoresis is also used. It does not increase cutaneous permeability, it simply exerts a mechanical movement of the active ingredients, facilitating their movement and achieving a slightly higher penetration than topical use. Very low effectiveness.
- Electroporation: transdermal electroporation is an effective alternative to injected mesotherapy, characterized by:
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- Very high penetration of active ingredients
- Introduction of loaded and unloaded assets
- Introduction of assets of different molecular weights
- No adverse effects
As with any other type of fat-fighting treatment, combination with similar procedures can achieve superior results.
Commitment to quality
This text on injected mesotherapy was written by professional editors and reviewed by Sisneo’s medical-aesthetic team. In addition, we have relied on experts in medicine, engineering and aesthetics as a source of information, as well as specific studies to maintain the quality of what we publish.
At Sisneo Bioscience we are committed to publish truthful and contrasted information. And to update or correct it as soon as new knowledge becomes available.
Among others, we have used the following references:
- El-Domyati M, El-Ammawi TS, Moawad O, El-Fakahany H, Medhat W, Mahoney MG, Uitto J. «Efficacy of mesotherapy in facial rejuvenation: a histological and immunohistochemical evaluation» en Int J Dermatol. 2012 Aug;51(8):913-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2011.05184.x. PMID: 22788806; PMCID: PMC3513770.