WE all worry about the effects of aging as we get older and often turn to cosmetic procedures to retain our youthful looks.
One of these procedures is mesotherapy but how does it work and have any celebrities done it - we explain.
What is Mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is a procedure that uses tiny injections of vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and plant extracts to rejuvenate and tighten skin.
It's also used to improve hair quality and remove excess fat.
Doctor Michel Pistor from France developed the technique in 1952.
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Mesotherapy can improve dull, tired-looking skin and superficial wrinkles.
It can also improve sluggish blood circulation and aide the body to flush out ageing toxins.
Mesotherapy can also address hyperpigmentation, treat acne and skin glow.
Mesotheraphy can stimulate the fibroblast cell in the skin to produce more collagen, helping to combat the signs of aging.
A mesotherapy cocktail could contain over 50 active ingredients which will nourish, repair and rejuvenate skin.
It can also be combined with anti-wrinkle injections and fillers.
People who undergo mesotherapy may also experience these side effects:
- Nausea
- Pain
- Sensitivity
- Swelling
- Itching
- Redness
- Bruising
- Bumps at the injection site
- Dark patches of skin
- Rash
- Infection
- Scarring
Recovery is also quick as the procedure is non-invasive.
Many people are able to return to regular activities straight away.
However, some may need to take a day off due to swelling and pain at the injection sites.
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However, it's hard to state how effective the treatment is due to the amount of ingredients and methods used.
Few studies have been done to test the technique. And many of the studies that have been done were small.
The research that has been conducted hasn't shown much of a benefit for skin rejuvenation.
Mesotherapy is also considered a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction for removing unwanted fat.
Liposuction permanently removes fat from areas such as the stomach, thighs, and back.
The procedure is performed by cosmetic surgeons who insert a thin plastic tube through small incisions in the skin.
They then suction out the fat using a surgical vacuum.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia.
Liposuction is considered effective to remove fat but recovery can take up to six weeks and has various risks including nerve and blood vessel damage.
Mesotherapy isn't as invasive as there are no incisions but you will need more sessions to achieve the results you want.
It's unclear how well mesotherapy removes fat due to the lack of research and various methods.
Methods differ depending on where you undergo the procedure.
Injection lipolysis is another noninvasive treatment similar to mesotherapy.
During this procedure, a doctor injects phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate into the fat layer under the skin.
This will then break up the fat.
However, there is also little evidence to suggest injection lipolysis works.
Is Mesotherapy expensive?
The cost of mesotherapy in the UK is between £200 and £700.
However, if you book multiple mesotherapy sessions you could be paying a lower price.
For example, if you booked eight mesotherapy sessions you could be paying £1,500.
This would mean each session would only cost £187.50.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow goes to the Dr. Dray Clinic in London for mesotherapy.
She posted a photo of herself at the clinic and used the hashtag mesotherapy.
However, Paltrow hasn't posted any before or after photos.
