Cellulite is a common culprit that appears on most women's bodies and leaves dimpled skin on areas like the thighs, hips, buttocks and arms. According to the Mayo Clinic, weight loss and muscle strengthening can help improve the appearance of cellulite, though this method can only go so far. For severe cellulite, other therapies may be needed. Mesotherapy is a procedure used to treat cellulite. This method involves injections of a solution that may contain a combination of hormones, herbal extracts, aminophylline, and vitamins and minerals.
Non-Surgical
Although liposuction is a widely used procedure for enhancing the body's appearance and reshaping problem areas, this procedure is considered "invasive." It requires sedation and a recovery period. Mesotherapy, however, does not require sedation or a recovery period. In addition, mesotherapy does not typically cause scarring, as can occur with liposuction procedures. Though all of these facts may make mesotherapy appear safe, according to Alan Matarasso, MD, "The promise of a non-surgical, permanent method for fat removal and body contouring is obviously very appealing, but mesotherapy is not proven to be the miracle cure to a thinner you." Matarasso claims the procedure has not been proven to be safe and concludes, "Liposuction remains the only proven method to safely and permanently remove fat."
Cost
In 2005, the cost of mesotherapy is said to be appoximately $1,000 to $1,500 per treatment with a requirement of three to six treatments, according to an article published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Other Uses For Mesotherapy
While mesotherapy is widely used for the treatment of cellulite, occasionally, mesotherapy is used to treat facial wrinkles (in conjunction with Botox or Restylane) and, more recently, to treat some forms of hair loss.
Candidates
To decide whether mesotherapy is appropriate for you, consider the following factors: age (must be 18 or older), physical health and psychological health. An initial consultation may be needed to determine if the mesotherapy procedure is the best option for cellulite treatment and whether it would be effective for your skin condition.
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