What is mesotherapy, how is it applied? What are the benefits of mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a medical aesthetic treatment used to rejuvenate the skin, prevent hair loss, tighten the skin, and reduce the appearance of scars. It is performed by injecting a mesotherapy mixture containing enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants, plant extracts, and growth factors into the skin. It helps reduce the appearance of signs of aging on the skin. Mesotherapy injections, which can be applied to the face, neck, décolleté, scalp, and hands, help promote skin renewal. Mesotherapy injections can be personalized according to the person's health condition, age, needs, and expectations. Medical Aesthetics Specialist Dr. Lida Çiteli, who provides services to patients in Istanbul, explained what mesotherapy is, how it is performed, and what it is used for.

What Is Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a medical aesthetic treatment performed by injecting rich mixtures consisting of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids into the mesodermal layer of the skin in problem areas. Mesotherapy, which is frequently used in the field of medical aesthetics, was first introduced by Dr. Michel Pistor in 1952. The components to be injected into the skin are determined according to the individual's needs and expectations. Mesotherapy is generally performed to rejuvenate, tighten, and nourish the skin and to support the hair and scalp.

What Is Needle-Free Mesotherapy?

Needle-free mesotherapy is a type of mesotherapy used in skin care. It is a non-invasive method. It allows mesotherapy to affect the deeper layers of the skin without applying any needles to the skin. Just as with conventional mesotherapy, it is preferred to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, tighten the skin, and restore the skin's vitality. The method to be used is determined according to the area to be treated and the individual's skin structure. Needle-free mesotherapy may not be suitable for every skin type or every skin concern. Therefore, treatment planning should definitely be carried out together with a specialist physician.

What Does Mesotherapy Do?

Mesotherapy may help tighten the skin by breaking down fat tissue in the area where the mesotherapy solution is injected. In addition, it may be used to promote skin renewal, improve the appearance of scars, and prevent hair loss. The results of mesotherapy should also be supported by exercise and nutrition programs. In this way, the treatment process can be supported. Mesotherapy, which is applied to reduce the effects caused by aging, may be effective against wrinkles, sagging, changes in skin tone, and hair loss. However, it is generally not suitable for people under the age of 20. If we were to list the purposes of mesotherapy, they would include:

• Cellulite treatment
• Hair loss
• Improvement of skin scars
• Facial rejuvenation
• Localized fat accumulation
• Pigmentation problems of the skin
• Acne treatment
• Reducing the appearance of skin blemishes

Until a certain age, the skin can regularly produce the minerals, vitamins, and amino acids it needs and renew itself. However, after a certain point, the body may become unable to produce these substances sufficiently. As a result, the skin cannot renew itself properly and the aging process begins. When the levels of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, which are among the basic building blocks of the skin, begin to decrease, the skin starts to lose its elasticity. Changes in skin tone may occur and the skin loses its radiance. As we age, pigmentation and water loss begin to occur in the skin. Older skin, in particular, becomes dehydrated and dry. Dry skin tissue becomes damaged and begins to wrinkle. Mesotherapy can be applied to help counteract this cycle by supporting the repair of skin cells.

What Are the Benefits and Advantages of Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy provides an anti-aging effect by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin fibers, which are among the most important building blocks of the skin. If we were to list the benefits and advantages of mesotherapy, which is among the anti-aging treatments used in medical aesthetics, they would include:

• Improves skin elasticity
• Restores the skin's lost radiance
• Deeply hydrates the skin
• Tightens the skin
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• Helps combat oxidative stress
• Reduces pigmentation
• May stimulate the skin's natural renewal mechanisms

Mesotherapy aims to support the resynthesis and renewal of protein structures beneath the skin. In mesotherapy procedures, hyaluronic acid and amino acids are applied to the middle dermal layer beneath the skin.

How Is Mesotherapy Performed?

Mesotherapy is personalized and performed according to the individual's needs and expectations. The middle layer of the skin is targeted. The mesotherapy solution determined according to the individual's needs is injected into the skin. The needles used during the injection are fine-tipped and designed to be compatible with the skin. Before the procedure, the area is locally numbed with an anesthetic cream. This helps ensure that the individual has a comfortable treatment experience with minimal discomfort.

What Medications Are Used in Mesotherapy?

The medications used in mesotherapy contain numerous vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and plant extracts. The mesotherapy formulation is tailored according to the individual's needs and expectations. The ingredients commonly used include:

Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid, which is preferred in facial mesotherapy, is a type of natural polymer widely found in human tissue. It increases the skin's moisture-retaining capacity and provides elasticity.

Vitamins – Vitamin A plays a role in skin development. It helps improve skin tissue, which becomes thinner with age. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that protects tissues from harmful substances. Vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis in the skin. Vitamin B nourishes the skin and provides biological support to tissues. Vitamin K helps regulate blood circulation in the tissues.

Amino acids – Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They play an important role in tissue development. They are effective in the repair of tissue damage.

Mineral Salts – They play a regulatory and supportive role in the vital functions of cells. They are generally preferred in facial mesotherapy to help improve tissue metabolism.

Coenzymes – Coenzymes accelerate the tissue renewal process.

Nucleic Acids – They support the synthesis of the skin's basic proteins.

DMAE – It is used to help address skin sagging.

What Should Be Considered After Mesotherapy?

For the first 24 hours following mesotherapy treatment, the injection area should not be washed. Maximum care should also be taken to protect the skin from the sun. Smoking should be limited as much as possible, and plenty of water should be consumed. Heavy exercise should also be avoided during this period. The recommendations following mesotherapy include:

• Drink plenty of water during the first 24 hours
• Do not apply makeup
• Do not consume alcohol
• Avoid strenuous exercise
• Use sunscreen
• Stay away from solariums and similar environments
• Do not take hot baths or showers
• Avoid hot and steamy environments such as Turkish baths or saunas for 72 hours
• Do not use blood-thinning medications or vitamin E for 42 hours
• Do not undergo waxing, bleaching, facial hair removal, or similar procedures for five days following the treatment
• Do not enter swimming pools

Who Can Have Mesotherapy?

Before mesotherapy is performed, a physician should evaluate whether the individual is suitable for the treatment. First of all, mesotherapy is not recommended for people under the age of 18. It should not be performed on pregnant or breastfeeding women or on people who have experienced a stroke. Apart from these cases, people who want to improve their skin quality and achieve a youthful and radiant appearance may be suitable candidates for mesotherapy.

Where Should Mesotherapy Be Performed and Who Should Perform It?

Mesotherapy treatment should definitely be performed by a medical aesthetics physician who is a specialist in the field and under clinical conditions. Procedures performed in unlicensed or inadequately equipped clinics can pose risks and lead to undesirable outcomes.

When Is Mesotherapy Contraindicated?

Mesotherapy is not recommended in certain circumstances. These include:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• A history of stroke
• Diabetes requiring insulin treatment
• Cancer
• Bleeding or clotting disorders
• People who have experienced an allergic reaction to the substances used in mesotherapy
• People with urticaria are not suitable candidates for mesotherapy.

In addition, patients with heart disease who need to take multiple medications may not be suitable candidates for mesotherapy treatment.

What Is the Special Feature of Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a procedure in which the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed by the skin are administered to the problem area using microinjection techniques. In this way, the substances needed by the individual come into direct contact with the problematic area of the skin.

This approach may help address the problem locally without creating systemic effects that could affect the entire body. This may help maximize the benefits of the treatment.

What Are the Uses of Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy may be used as a pain-relieving treatment for certain painful conditions. It may also be used for sports injuries, inflammatory conditions, or muscle and tendon injuries.

Mesotherapy may also be used as an alternative treatment method for painful and inflammatory fluid accumulation in the joints.

Mesotherapy treatment is also used in the treatment of certain vascular conditions. It may provide benefits for varicose veins caused by circulation problems.

What Substances Are Used During Mesotherapy and How Are They Selected?

The ingredients used in mesotherapy treatment are generally special formulations designed to target specific skin concerns. These formulations are determined according to the individual's skin requirements and the goal of the treatment. Mesotherapy formulations commonly contain ingredients such as vitamins, amino acids, minerals, or hyaluronic acid. Which substances are included in the formulation is decided by the physician performing the treatment, taking the patient's skin type, needs, and expectations into consideration.

The selection of ingredients used in mesotherapy is one of the most important factors determining the success and safety of the treatment. Specialists prepare personalized formulations based on skin analysis and the patient's individual needs. These formulations support the skin's ability to combat the effects of aging. They moisturize the skin and promote tightening. They may help reduce the appearance of blemishes.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a type of medical aesthetic treatment performed by injecting minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and other beneficial substances into the lower layers of the skin using micro-needles. However, although it is generally considered a safe procedure, mesotherapy may also have some side effects. Pain, tenderness, or swelling may occur at the injection site. Temporary bruising, redness, itching, or mild inflammation may appear on the skin surface. However, these effects usually resolve spontaneously within a short period of time. If the patient has sensitive skin, these effects may persist for longer.

One of the possible risks of mesotherapy is infection. Infection is among the most serious complications that may occur following mesotherapy. Non-sterile needles or procedures performed under unhygienic conditions can lead to bacterial infections. In addition, allergic reactions to substances contained in the injection may also occur.

Although rare, inflammatory tissue nodules or darkening of the skin may occur in the treated area after mesotherapy. Therefore, it is essential that the substances used during the treatment are approved, high-quality, and sterile, and that the dosage is adjusted correctly. This can help reduce the risk of complications.

In summary, mesotherapy is generally considered a safe procedure when performed by a qualified physician. However, factors such as the individual's skin type, allergies, and general health condition should be taken into consideration, and it should be determined whether the person is an appropriate candidate for treatment. To minimize the risk of possible side effects, a comprehensive evaluation should be performed by a medical aesthetics physician before treatment.