Mesotherapy Risks

Proponents of Mesotherapy emphasize that risks of treatment are minimized because lower doses of compounds are injected into a relatively small area. However, there are certain known and potentially unknown risks associated with Mesotherapy.

The majority of known Mesotherapy Risks are in and around the injection site. Skin may become pigmented or scarred, and these changes may not fade with time. Other changes, such as swelling, pain and bruising, typically subside after treatment. In some people, a severe local reaction to substances injected may result in ulceration and subsequent scarring. There may also be a systemic and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to injected drugs. Infections due to poor injection practices are often reported among patients of unlicensed Mesotherapy practitioners. These infections may require treatment with expensive antibiotics.

There is some concern in the medical community that several compounds commonly used in Mesotherapy have unproven benefits and unknown risks. There are many Internet sites that sell such compounds. However, most of them are located overseas and are therefore outside the jurisdiction of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The purity of compounds sold by such sites cannot be verified. To date, the FDA has not approved any compound for use in Mesotherapy, even if such a compound is approved for other uses. Additionally, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons does not endorse Mesotherapy because it is not a scientifically proven method.

Many Mesotherapy treatments require ongoing maintenance, and the costs involved in such maintenance therapy may be underestimated initially. This can be a financial risk because Mesotherapy is not covered by health insurance plans. There may also be emotional risks, particularly with treatments that require adherence to a diet and exercise plan. If such a plan is not followed, the body may revert to its pre-Mesotherapy appearance, causing stress.

By Jason Gluckman 

 

Mesotherapy Side Effects

As with any other form of treatment, Mesotherapy can have Side Effects. Some mild and transient Side Effects that may occur after a Mesotherapy session include swelling, bruising and pain or itching at the injection site. These typically subside in a few hours to a few days. One compound that causes such swelling when injected is the compound lecithin. Some mesotherapists recommend the homeopathic drug arnica to reduce swelling. However, its action has not been scientifically proven. More often, patients are advised to wear loose-fitting clothing, and to avoid exercise for up to two or three days following a Mesotherapy treatment.
Other Side Effects at the injection site can include scarring, pigmentation, or ulcer formation. Sometimes, patients may feel a small lump under the injection site, which reduces or disappears after a few weeks. When non-sterile injection techniques are used, infections may occur, some of which may be potentially serious. Most of these infections have been reported from some South American countries, where unlicensed individuals administer Mesotherapy treatments. It is therefore preferable to receive Mesotherapy from a board-certified physician who practices good infection control.
Mesotherapy patients may have local or systemic allergic reactions to any of the compounds that are injected. These can range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Trained clinicians know how to recognize such reactions, and can promptly administer appropriate treatment. This is another reason it is advisable to go to reputable Mesotherapy clinics. There are occasional reports of unusual skin conditions, including psoriasis, in the scientific literature. Some of these are attributed to the mixing of compounds that may interact with each other.
It is unclear what exactly happens to the fat that is dissolved in Mesotherapy treatments for cellulite and localized fat removal. While Mesotherapy advocates claim this fat is broken down and excreted, such claims remain scientifically unproven.

By Jason Gluckman