Mesotherapy: What To Know About The Do-It-All Injection Procedure

After the shutdowns of the pandemic, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that practitioners have seen massive surges in demand for cosmetic procedures, with 76% of respondents reporting that their practices saw increases in business in 2021 and 2022. Instead of reaching for miracle creams and expensive serums, people are instead choosing to go under the knife — or the needle — to guarantee immediate, tangible results in their appearance.

Back in the 1950s, mesotherapy was originally developed as a treatment for pain relief, but nowadays, it's used for just about everything from dissolving fat to plumping the skin. As cosmetic procedures become more popular and normalized, it's no surprise that this do-it-all injection has seen a rise in buzz, too. Depending on the ingredients and specific care plan developed by your esthetician, mesotherapy can be used to tackle a wide range of concerns across the body, all through a minimally-invasive procedure that promises little to no downtime or pain.

The reason mesotherapy is so customizable is because it involves different vitamins, minerals, hormones, and enzymes being injected into the skin. This formula can be catered to address your specific goals in different areas. Small needles inject this serum directly into the mesoderm — or middle layer — of the skin, hence the name of the procedure. Because of this, it's important to find a doctor or esthetician you trust with your mix so you can guarantee you see the best results after your treatment.

When it's used for anti-aging benefits, popular ingredients in this serum include hyaluronic acid for a plumping effect, amino acids, and vitamins and minerals that can restore what has depleted in the skin with age. For localized fat loss and cellulite reduction, the mix will likely include fat-dissolving agents like phosphatidylcholine, aminophylline, and glycerophosphocholine. This procedure can even be used to prevent hair loss when it includes Minoxidil in the formula, commonly known under the brand name Rogaine.

Unlike many cosmetic procedures, this treatment isn't only limited to the face. The procedure itself only refers to the depth of the injection and the application method — the formula is what does all the work to get you the desired results. Because of this, mesotherapy can be localized to tackle concerns across the body, with popular uses ranging from head to toe.

This procedure initially gained popularity in the cosmetic world because of its ability to locally dissolve fat without invasive methods, so common application sites include the thighs, stomach, and arms, notoriously difficult spots to lose weight naturally. Once the full spectrum of its use became more popular, however, injections in the scalp for hair loss and in the face for anti-aging and plumping benefits became more common. Mesotherapy is specifically catered to you and your concerns, so application will be localized to the area in focus.

Cellulite is a natural phenomenon that occurs at just about any weight, but for many, it's a source of insecurity. This slightly dimpled, bumpy look is most common on women, and frequently occurs along the upper leg and buttocks. Muscles are connected to the skin through fibrous tissues, and sometimes, as fat cells accumulate, they push up against these tissues, causing an uneven look. Fat loss can reduce the appearance of this texture, but it's difficult to target specific areas and get to a low enough weight that your legs are completely smooth without dipping into unhealthy territory.

Because of this, cosmetic solutions like liposuction seek to dissolve the fat in these specific areas. Mesotherapy is no different — with a few injections of a fat-dissolving agent, the fat that causes the dimpling will melt away, leaving you with an overall smoother look without the risk and stress of extreme weight loss.

Collagen is what keeps our skin elastic, and as we age, our body begins to produce less and less, resulting in more wrinkles, less springy skin, and an overall duller complexion. This is a natural part of aging, but an easy way to kickstart your body's production is through more physical treatments that require your body to heal itself. Injections and tiny pricks by a needle mean your skin has to rebuild and produce collagen as a result.

Alongside the physical effects of injection, mesotherapy can also help your skin produce more collagen by essentially refueling your fibroblasts, the cells that build connective tissue, with vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. This, of course, all depends on your injected serum — your doctor can cater the mix to what your skin likely needs based on your age and specific concerns you have. After your procedure, your skin will likely feel more plump and elastic as a result.

When it comes down to achieving perfect facial symmetry, many people think that their options start and end with adding filler to lift or plump one side to create a more even look. This, however, isn't true. Instead of just adding volume to your face, mesotherapy has the ability to decrease the amount of fat being stored, too. This way, you'll have the option to remove some fat if one cheek is slightly rounder, for example, or bring back some plumpness to one side of the face to make everything look more balanced.

With great power, however, comes great responsibility. If you're going in specifically to even out the sides of your face, you need to find a doctor that has a strong eye for detail. Even minor changes can make a big impact in the overall look, so going to someone you trust is the best way to ensure you'll be left with a look you love.

Thanks to mesotherapy's ability to encourage collagen production and fuel your hardworking skin cells, one of the most popular uses for this procedure is to create an overall smooth, healthy look, regardless of your age or the condition of your skin. It won't eliminate deep-set wrinkles or plump as effectively as dermal filler, but it's great if you want something that will leave you looking healthier and more youthful but still natural.

If you do already have filler, however, mesotherapy can actually help to extend the life of your previous work. Dermal filler naturally dissolves over about six months to a year and a half, but mesotherapy injection can increase that time period by boosting the overall health of your skin. Essentially, it won't add any real volume to your face, but it will still make it look more plump and healthy than if you were to just rely on anti-aging and moisturizing skincare products.

If you're considering if mesotherapy is the right cosmetic procedure for you, it's important to know the cost. It's about middle of the road in terms of price — certainly not as expensive as a major surgery, but more pricey than something as simple as a $100 lip flip. For a basic facial application, it'll usually run you about the same amount as Botox, approximately $300 to $600. This, of course, depends on your doctor and the cost of living in the area.

For more targeted applications, like dissolving stubborn fat, creating facial symmetry, and reducing cellulite, the cost will likely increase. You'll probably need multiple sessions to see the exact results you're looking for, so all of these factors make a major difference in what you pay. Unfortunately, most cosmetic procedures won't be covered by your health insurance, so you can expect to pay the full price out of pocket.

Mesotherapy can yield some major results with time, but, luckily, it's nowhere near as hard on your body as a full cosmetic surgery like a facelift or a Brazilian butt lift. Getting injections isn't a completely painless procedure, but it's nothing so bad that it requires general anesthesia. After, you might face some swelling and irritation, but it's nothing that can't be combatted with a couple ibuprofen.

Once you're done, you should be good to go about the rest of your day with little to no pain, and in a few days, you'll be right back to normal. That's one of the main draws of this procedure — it's one of the most minimally-invasive ways to alter your appearance. Of course, if you're experiencing more intense pain or signs of infection, you should always take this seriously and go see a doctor or head to the emergency room to reduce the risk of developing a more serious problem.