Mesotherapy is a treatment for reducing cellulite, especially in the legs and buttocks. It is performed in many upscale spas and doctor offices in America. The treatment involves making small injections into the skin with a variety of ingredients said to burn fat. Though the treatment is relatively expensive and somewhat risky, many women are very happy with the results of the procedure.
History
Mesotherapy was first introduced by a physician in France in 1952, according to Aesthetic Practitioner News. It states that the ingredients used in the injections included pharmaceuticals as well as vitamins and herbs. In 1987, mesotherapy was officially recognized as a medicinal practice by the the French Academy of Medicine. Mesotherapy then became popular throughout Europe and more recently, in America. Traditional mesotherapy was designed for the purpose of fat loss, though it has been used specifically to reduce cellulite in more recent times.
Process
According to the Mesotherapy Associates, a group of physicians who regularly perform mesotherapy, the process involves a very small needle, about the size of a human eyelash. The injection does not hurt because it is so small. The physician takes the needle and performs a process called "multi-pricking" in which a certain area of the body is continuously injected with the active ingredients such as fat burners and vitamins.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of mesotherapy in reducing cellulite is uncertain. While some studies show much success at decreasing cellulite, others show no success, according to the Aesthetic Practitioner News. It states that a study of 12 patients conducted at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Center in Manila found that participants had significant reductions in the amount of cellulite after several treatments. The Aesthetic Practitioner News also states that researchers at Korea University Medical Center found no reduction in the cellulite of 20 study participants after they received 12 weeks mesotherapy.
Safety
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, different substances are injected during mesotherapy, depending on where the treatment is done. It states that not all ingredients are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and for that reason many people suffered serious reactions after having mesotherapy in the District of Columbia in 2005. The patients with reactions had redness and swelling, and some even had open lesions from the injections. The CDC recommends having mesotherapy only from a doctor who uses FDA-approved ingredients.
Costs
The cost of mesotherapy varies based on the body area that is treated and the specific prices of the doctor's office or medical spa at which the procedure is performed. According to a 2010 figure on the website Real Self, which reviews beauty treatments and plastic surgery procedures, the average reported cost of mesotherapy treatments was $2,557. The cost also depends on how many treatments a person receives.
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