Mesotherapy Side Effects

Mesotherapy is a medical procedure similar to liposuction, which promises reduction of excess fat from the body. While liposuction is a surgical procedure done by giving anesthesia to the person, mesotherapy is a simple and almost painless non-surgical cosmetic treatment method. This is also one of the reasons for the popularity of the latter surpassing the former. Though it is used on patients suffering from certain diseases, injuries, etc., it is also said to be an effective way of treating acne, cellulite, and scars. In this therapy, a mixture of substances, including vitamins, pharmaceutical drugs, herbs, minerals, homeopathic agents, etc., are injected directly into the problem area. However, like all cosmetic procedures, even this therapy has certain side effects. Nevertheless, before going into the side effects, let us try to get to know more about them.

Important Facts

The field of mesotherapy was introduced in 1952 by Dr. Michel Pistor, a French physician. However, it was only in the year 1958 that this field was given a name. From the time of its inception, it has come a long way, rising in popularity so much so that people prefer it more than other cosmetic surgeries like liposuction.

Benefits

• Mesotherapy, a widely used cosmetic procedure, targets fat loss and weight loss. Apart from this, it effectively removes skin problems like stretch marks, acne, wrinkles, etc. It also helps in enhancing hair growth in people.
• The main reason for people preferring this therapy over liposuction is because it is a good way of treating cellulite. On the other hand, liposuction does not treat cellulite, rather cases have been reported where cellulite problems actually increased after liposuction surgery. With the help of this treatment one can get rid of lumpy deposits of body fat in the areas like the stomach, thighs, hips, buttocks, etc. very easily.
• The results are usually very quick, with many people experiencing major changes in their body in just 2-3 sessions, and at times, in even one session itself. As a person opting for the therapy is usually not given anesthesia, there are very less chances of complications arising due to its administration. Moreover, one does not need to stay at the hospital after this treatment procedure, which is mandatory in liposuction surgery.

Side Effects

Though the risks involved are less as compared to other cosmetic procedures, there are also has a few mild side effects associated with it. Usually, these side effects are not very serious and do not stay for a prolonged period of time. The side effects that can be experienced by a person after undergoing the treatment include:

• It is observed that swelling is one of the most common side effects experienced by people after this therapy. Small lumps are known to appear on the area of the skin where the solution is injected. This is caused due to the presence of the compound 'lecithin' in the injected solution. However, this is not a permanent problem and usually the swelling disappears in 2-3 days. One should avoid wearing tight fitting clothes or indulge in any kind of exercise or workout for a few days after the treatment.
• Bruising or scarring around the area treated is another side effect experienced by many people. This can also be accompanied by an itching sensation around the treated area. Application of topical cream or arnica montana, a herbal supplement is recommended to alleviate such problems. People are also recommended to avoid the consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or any anti-inflammatory drugs till the bruising is completely healed.
• Pain and a burning sensation near the area injected is one of the more severe side effects that patients can suffer from. The intensity of the pain is usually different for different people. Some people only feel a slight pricking sensation, while others feel a lot of pain. Nevertheless, like the other side effects, this pain will go away in a few days.
• In some cases, patients are given topical anesthesia at the beginning. After the effect of the anesthesia wears off, individuals have reported to have experienced numbness around the treated area. But this is not a very serious condition as it does not stay for a long time. However, if numbness is experienced for more than a week or so, it is better to consult the doctor, who can suggest effective remedies.
• There have also been cases where people have experienced some kind of allergy after this therapy. Some people may be allergic to certain compounds mixed in the solution injected into the body. To avoid this, every person should go through an allergy test to determine whether they are allergic to any of them, so that an alternative can be found by the physician.
• The chances of having a dangerous side effects increase if the procedure is done in unsanitary conditions or by inexperienced people. So, it should be done only by a specialist who is authorized to conduct this treatment procedure.

While the therapy is a comparatively safer cosmetic procedure, being aware of its few side effects will help in taking the necessary precautions to reduce or perhaps even avoid them.