Mesotherapy is a treatment that’s been popular for decades in Europe and South America and began making inroads into the U.S. around the turn of this century.
It’s been used as a fat- and weight-reduction tool in areas around the body but has perhaps been most effective as an anti-aging skin treatment, sometimes called “biorejuvenation” or “biorevitalization” facials.
Practitioners use small, very fine needles or a non-needle pen to inject a mixture of vitamins, nutrients, plant extracts and other natural ingredients into the client’s dermis, the middle layer of the skin, which contains collagen, blood vessels, hair follicles, nerve endings, fat cells and many more components.
The exact formula of the injection varies between providers but generally contains such active ingredients as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, pure hyaluronic acid, hormones, enzymes and natural plant extracts.
The outcome will vary to some degree with the precise cocktail of substances injected, but the goal is to boost hydration and collagen production. Many people report a brighter complexion, renewed elasticity and firmness, improved fine lines and wrinkles, reduced acne and fading of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
How it’s done
Mesotherapy is a non-invasive procedure that’s considered a more natural alternative to dermal fillers or Botox owing to the contents of the injections and the more subtle, though equally impressive, results.
It is often offered in conjunction with other skin treatments including fillers, Botox and LED light therapy.
Mesotherapy facials can be administered at a dermatologist’s office with local anesthesia or by a licensed aesthetician, with most appointments taking 30 to 60 minutes. Pain generally is minimal, though some redness and sensitivity can be expected. One of the big benefits is patients being able to return immediately to work or other daily activities.
It can require a time investment to get lasting results; most providers recommend at least three to four initial treatments spaced two weeks apart, with many recommending periodic follow-ups based on the skin issue being addressed and the desired results.
In some cases this means 15 or more sessions, but you can expect results to last at least 12 to 18 months beyond that.
