Mesotherapy

The objective

Mesotherapy is a non-surgical procedure used for weight loss and body sculpting to reduce, eliminate and contour fat deposits and cellulite. It involves injecting small amounts of conventional or homeopathic medication and/or vitamins just under the skin surface (mesoderm) to break down the fatty tissue and improve skin circulation, tone, firmness and texture. It can also be used to rejuvenate the surface of the skin.

The procedure

The procedure can usually be carried out in 10 to 25 minutes with no recovery time involved.

Prior to the procedure, the practitioner will identify and map the area to the treated. You will then lie on a therapy couch and the area will be swabbed with an antiseptic solution. The practitioner will then use tiny needles to inject the medication into the mesoderm. The ‘multi-pricking’ can be done by hand or by using a specific mechanical delivery system.

Once injected into the skin, the medication slowly diffuses into the fat, and breaks it down. The fat is later expelled through your body’s natural waste elimination system. You may feel some discomfort and a pricking sensation, however this can be dulled with a numbing cream. If you’re concerned about this, speak to your practitioner prior to treatment.

The outcome

Normally, you can leave the clinic immediately after the procedure and return to work straight away.

The area being treated should look tauter and smoother, however some patients may require multiple procedures for visible results.

Treatment areas will remain free of unwanted fat as long as you maintain a healthy diet and exercise.

The risks

The immediate side-effects from mesotherapy can include minor bruising, burning that lasts 15 to 20 minutes, minor swelling that can last up to five days, minor soreness, minor skin discolouration, and a slight risk of infection at the site of injection.

Patients who are pregnant or taking warfarin should not have this treatment. If you take aspirin or clopidogrel regularly you may want to consider stopping it five days before treatment to minimise bruising.

The costs

Usually, treatments start at £85 per area for a single treatment. A course of six to eight treatments may be required depending on the extent of cellulite and fat deposits.

The availability

Mesotherapy is widely available at private cosmetic surgery clinics and specialist skin care clinics in the UK and abroad.

The popularity

Mesotherapy has been touted as the latest breakthrough for cellulite and fat tissue deposit reduction. It is gaining popularity in the UK as a body-sculpting procedure as well as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. The most popular procedures are on saddle bags, love handles, hips, inner and outer thighs, waist line, arms, double chins and fat pads under the eyes.