Ever read articles about or seen reels on Mesotherapy and wondered what exactly this was and whether you should try it? We spoke to skin experts and dermatologists to get some answers for you on this minimally invasive aesthetic medical treatment.
Mesotherapy 101
To begin with, ‘mesotherapy’ is a medical technique devised by French physician named Dr Michel Pistor in 1952. When he started out, he used it to relieve pain by using plant extracts and homeopathic ingredients. Cut to now, where mesotherapy related procedures have received widespread global acceptance most notably in the last two decades. The word ‘Mesotherapy’ is derived from the Greek words meso meaning ‘middle’ and therapeia that is ‘therapy’ or ‘treatment’.
In this treatment, active ingredients, amino acids, minerals, enzymes and vitamins are delivered into the middle layer of the skin with the help of needles (injections, dermarollers, etc.) to tackle various skin and hair issues.
Dr Juvita Rasquinha, dermatologist, founder and medical director of Dr Juvita’s Aesthetics in Bengaluru, says, “Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive skin or hair rejuvenation treatment that provides intense revitalisation and hydration of the skin and in the case of hair, nourishes existing hair while promoting new hair growth.”
“The mechanism of action is that the middle layer of the skin, i.e. the mesoderm, acts as a natural time-release system to ensure that the injected medication stays in the injected area for longer and works towards rejuvenating or revitalising one’s skin, and improving blood supply to hair follicles,” reveals Dr Rasquinha.
Benefits of Mesotherapy
So, what can it do for you exactly? Mesotherapy is said to help tackle issues related to skin, hair and body. When it comes to facial skin, issues such as tanning, dullness, dark spots, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, hydration of skin can be addressed. Those undergoing procedures for pigmentation like melasma, freckles, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation have seen significant improvement in the quality and texture of their skin post the treatment.
Mesotherapy has also been used for targeted fat loss and body contouring. It can reduce cellulite by focusing on specific areas with extra fat and improving blood flow to make the skin smoother. It has also seen a lot of success in the area of hair loss, and can help revive fuller, healthier hair. The treatment has been able to arrest and even reverse hair fall in many cases.
Chaitanya Kenchamannahoskote, founder of Bengaluru- and US-based Maya Medi Spa, says, “When it comes to hair Mesotherapy, this doesn’t typically fix issues like a dry scalp, itchy scalp, or dandruff; it’s mainly used for dealing with hair loss. This includes issues related to hormones or aging. Occasionally, it’s used to treat alopecia as well. Our custom cocktails may include growth factors, proteins, and other elements that help stimulate dormant hair follicles. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) can also be used as a form of Mesotherapy to address hair loss or hair fall.”
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What’s in a name?
While ‘Mesotherapy’ is the generic name for this method of treatment, as it’s not a trademarked therapy, it goes by different names or brand names at different clinics. When Mesotherapy is done for skin pigmentation concerns, it is sometimes called Mesoglow. When it’s done for deep hydration (usually with hyaluronic acid) it’s called a Skin Booster. It is also known as Mesoporation or bio rejuvenation or bio revitalisation in some clinics. When it’s done for hair fall treatment, it can simply be known as Mesotherapy for hair fall.
Kenchamannahoskote advises that while there are no specific brands that one should necessarily focus on or be cautious about, however, it is always beneficial to inquire about the origins of the nutrients being used. “At Maya, we prioritise the use of high-grade stem cells obtained from the US and a growth factor matrix named Cell for addressing hair loss. The sourcing from the United States is due to the superior quality ensured by stringent FDA approvals. Additionally, for our skin mesotherapy and nutrients, we often rely on Mesoestetic.”
Customisation is key
Unlike certain skin and hair treatments that come with set ingredients and volumes to be administered, Mesotherapy, due to its wide applications, depends on a variety of factors such as age, health conditions and requirements. The depth at which these injections are administered and the cocktail of infusions to be injected also vary.
Kenchamannahoskote shares, “The depth of the injection always depends on what we are trying to rejuvenate or fix as well as the cocktails we are going to use.” For instance, she says, if one aims to treat cellulite beneath the skin, the injections are administered to the fatty layers of the skin. “But in Mesotherapy treatment for dark circles, we do not go as deep as we would with cellulite.”
Furthermore, the cocktails used for infusion, whether for treating skin or hair problems, consist of approximately 50 to 60 nutrients, including amino acids, hydrating factors like hyaluronic acid, enzymes, and various nourishing agents for skin and hair. “It’s a blend of these components, and we tailor everything to address individual issues and problems. Since pigmentation or skin laxity may stem from different causes for each person, we carefully consider various factors before customising a cocktail to resolve a specific issue,” she says.
Words of caution
Dr Rasquinha points out that as Mesotherapy involves the use of injectables into one's body and is classified as a medical service, therefore, it is best to get the procedure done in a medical facility and under medical supervision. She also shares that since the procedure involved is non-surgical, the downsides are limited and well controlled. Is it safe for everyone though? “People with any pre-existing active autoimmune conditions like vitiligo, skin allergies or skin sensitivity should inform their doctor about their condition prior to beginning treatment. Also, the treatment is not advised for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding,” she says.
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A contradicting view
But not everyone’s loving Mesotherapy. Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder and medical director, Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, Mumbai offers that while the treatment has its share of benefits where it can improve skin tone, quality and hydration of skin when appropriate ingredients are injected in the intradermal dermis layer, she has limited faith in this procedure. “I don’t recommend Mesotherapy as a solo therapy or the miracle cure for all skin woes as it is proclaimed,” she opines.
She adds, “Mesotherapy cannot ‘cure’ pigmentation, lines or wrinkles, clear acne marks or treat cellulite as marketed everywhere. The level where it can reach is about upper layers of skin, that can also be benefited by current innovative products, especially when it is just massaged in by the multiple Mesotherapy machines.”
She also points out that there are no adequate trustworthy studies or research which authenticate the claims of Mesotherapy. “In fact, certain studies have proven with skin biopsies that Mesotherapy is not very effective or shows clinically significant results. It also has no FDA approvals and is not scientifically proven to show results. Additionally, there are no standard operating procedures (SOPs) or protocols for it, so the treatment can be variable in every clinic. It is extremely important to consult a certified dermatologist to understand the pros and cons of Mesotherapy before venturing into it,” she signs off.