What is Mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is a medical technique that was first performed in France by Dr M. Pistor over 50 years ago. In the cosmetic arena, Mesotherapy is used for body contouring, (hips, buttocks, inner thighs, love handles, abdomen and arms) reduction of fat pads and smoothing of cellulite. Though the effects are not immediate, the procedures are quick and can be done over a lunch hour.
Is Mesotherapy safe?
Yes! Mesotherapy has been practiced for over 50 years in Europe and throughout the world. There are more than 15 000 practitioners in France alone. The injectables used in Mesotherapy
are tailored to the specific condition being treated.
What are the known side effects?
Common side effects may include local swelling and discomfort, minor burning sensation for a few hours, and temporary bruising. Itching and soreness may also be experienced for a few days. It is important to understand that if you gain weight after mesotherapy, you can develop cellulite/rippling even if you never had it before. It is important that you only consider mesotherapy if you are stable in your weight.
Have dangerous side effects been reported from clinical use?
Although very rare, some cases of local skin breakdown or infection have been reported. This can be due to unskilled use of the procedure so it is critical that you have a well trained injector. Rarely one can develop numbness in the area of injection that can last weeks to months.
Are Mesotherapy injections right for me? Does it work for everybody?
Mesotherapy injections are a complement to other lifestyle choices. It may be possible to utilize mesotherapy for minor to medium body sculpting, especially in the areas of the upper arms, stomach area and hips. It is not used for weight loss. Ten percent of patients do not respond to mesotherapy for reasons that we do not understand.
How does Mesotherapy work?
The mixture of medications used in Mesotherapy melts the fat beneath the skin and shrinks the deeper fat cells. Once the fat has been dissolved, it is absorbed into the bloodstream where it is carried away and removed from the body through the kidneys.
What’s the difference between Mesotherapy and Liposuction?
Mesotherapy is significantly less invasive than liposuction and can produce more pleasing results. There are none of the risks associated with surgery and there is no recovery time. Several treatments are required and they can take as little as 20 minutes. However mesotherapy results are not immediate. Liposuction has significant post-operative pain, whereas the pain with mesotherapy is mild and usually requires either nothing or a mild painkiller for no more than 24 hours. Mesotherapy focuses on releasing fat from the fat cells, rather than removal of the fat cells, as is done in liposuction. Many patients can lose as much as two dress sizes after only ten treatments.
Can Mesotherapy cause uneven fat loss?
Theoretically yes. Injections are done small distances apart and in small doses per treatment. The time frame between treatments combined with the small doses per session provides the physician the opportunity to observe and monitor effects. As with all treatments in medicine, it is impossible to predict an individual’s response to treatment; some areas will respond better than others.
What should I expect following a treatment?
There may be pain, throbbing, swelling and tenderness in the treated areas with some bruising. Bruising can be reduced with Arnica cream. Some people see a difference within a week, but most need 2-3 weeks to see a difference. It may take 3-4 sessions before a significant change is noticed, depending on the area treated and amount of fat present. Treatment is performed every 14-28 days depending on area and severity.
Will the fat in the treated areas return?
The fat cells are not removed; therefore the dissolved fat will dissipate and be excreted. However, new weight gain can take place. Therefore, it is always beneficial to combine mesotherapy with proper exercise and diet to produce the best, most consistent, long-term results. With liposuction, if the patient gains weight again, they will gain it in a different area. In mesotherapy, if a patient gains weight, they will regain fat in the same location where mesotherapy had been performed. Studies have shown that even after 4 years, the fat doesn’t
come back as long as there is no weight gain.
How is Mesotherapy performed?
The treatment itself is simple. The skin is first cleansed; a topical gel is applied to help numb the skin. Then using a tiny needle attached to a syringe, medications are placed into the area just below the skin. The goal of this procedure is to break down the fat, and to improve circulation, lymphatic and venous drainage over the problem area. Each treatment takes about 20-30 minutes. At the end of the procedure the area is dried and the patient may return to usual daily activity. Some patients may have varying amounts of redness, bruising and swelling which usually disappears within a few days. This can be diminished by avoiding aspirin products, Vitamin E and alcohol prior to treatments.
What is the difference between Fat and Cellulite?
Cellulite results from a combination of fatty tissue matted down by connective tissue, and fluid retention. Typically (although not exclusively) a female problem, it can affect women of all ages irrespective of their weight. In women, fat cells on the lower part of the body store fat six times more readily than those on the upper body. They also release them six times less readily. This makes weight loss from the lower body almost impossible without the upper body suffering unnecessarily. According to recent research, 95 percent of women suffer from cellulite. Not that they're the only ones. Less common perhaps, but men suffer from it too.
How soon will I see results?
That depends on the area being treated. Some patients see results after one or two treatments, while others require five to seven treatments before they are satisfied. Weight loss with Mesotherapy is a gradual process. The results are not immediate as with Liposuction. Remember that ten percent of patients do not notice a difference. If you haven’t seen a change within 3 sessions, I usually stop the treatment.