Have you ever heard of mesotherapy? It’s a highly effective method for losing inches and reshaping the silhouette. It involves the application of lipolytic microinjections to eliminate fat in the abdomen or other areas of the body. But how can mesotherapy help to fight cellulite?
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What is mesotherapy and what is it used for?
Mesotherapy is a technique that involves microinjecting (with very fine needles) substances that dissolve fat. It is a blend of non-invasive products (allopathic or homeopathic), minerals, vitamins, enzymes, hormones and amino acids.
The name mesotherapy comes from the mesoderm, the intermediate layer of the skin (where fat is concentrated). This is where the infiltrations take place. The aim of this technique is to reduce excess fat while also reshaping a specific area of the body. This method is recommended for people with circulation problems. Indeed, mesotherapy helps to stimulate circulation and therefore to reduce the appearance of orange peel skin.
Who invented this method? Where does it come from?
This is an alternative medicine technique discovered and used by a French physician, Dr Michel Pistor, in 1952. Since the 1930s, variations had been applied in French “thermal medicine”. However, Pistor was the first to uncover its benefits not only in cosmetics, but also in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. In fact, this therapy is widely used in sports medicine to treat injuries.
The use of mesotherapy against cellulite is a very popular technique. But this treatment is also useful for a number of other purposes. Here are a few examples:
- Reducing abdominal fat
- Smoothing localised fatty deposits and fine lines (mesolifting)
- Anti-acne treatment and other skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, age spots, sagging skin and stretch marks.
- This therapy can also be used to address hair loss, metabolic disorders, peripheral vascular system conditions and leg ulcers.
- It can be used to revitalise and detoxify glands such as the adrenal glands, the thyroid and the ovaries.
- It is also used in the treatment of pain and fatigue.
How does it work?
Michel Pistor discovered that by injecting small amounts of a substance containing lipolytics, vitamins, minerals and medications into the mesoderm, blood flow increases in the treated area, improving lymphatic drainage, dissolving fat deposits and breaking down connective tissue. In other words, it makes the skin firmer and less supple. In the late 1980s, the French Academy of Medicine recognised this therapy as part of traditional medicine, and the method subsequently spread throughout the world.
Why is mesotherapy effective against cellulite?
It is one of the most popular treatments for tackling the build-up of fat in certain areas of the body, and it is also an excellent anti-cellulite solution. Given the wide variety of substances available, mesotherapy acts according to each patient’s cellulite type to deliver a draining, firming, circulatory or lymphatic effect. However, multiple ingredients are used in the injections and several methods are employed. This makes it difficult to determine whether the method truly works, as a number of different processes are involved. Furthermore, few studies have been conducted on the subject.
These anti-cellulite injections are said to offer the following benefits:
- Reduction of adipose tissue
- Stimulation of circulation, one of the key causes of cellulite
- Restructuring of connective tissue
- Improvement of skin tone
How sessions work
Mesotherapy to eliminate cellulite can be applied to various areas of the body:
- the abdomen
- the thighs
- the buttocks
- the hips
- the legs
- the arms
The results or effects of this therapy before and after treatment vary depending on the area of the body being treated. They also depend on the desired outcome. Depending on the result sought, injections are administered at different depths, ranging from approximately 1 to 4 mm. The small injections are performed by hand or with a small injection gun. The blend contained in the injection helps to address certain causes of cellulite, such as fibrosis of fatty tissue or poor circulation, which can lead to the appearance of water retention cellulite.
Is the treatment painful?
The micro-injections against cellulite are applied to the layer of skin just below the dermis, making them virtually painless — no anaesthesia is required. You may occasionally feel a slight discomfort, and for patients who are particularly sensitive to injections, the specialist will generally apply a topical anaesthetic.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions depends on the area(s) to be treated and the desired outcome, but as a general rule you should expect between 4 and 15 sessions. In most cases, sessions are carried out weekly. Once the first results appear, sessions are spaced further apart. For best results, the doses injected are very small, and each session typically lasts around 15 minutes.
In terms of cost, you should budget €70 to €100 per session, which represents a significant investment.
Mesotherapy is not covered by the French national health insurance (Sécurité sociale). However, it may sometimes be partially reimbursed if you have a comprehensive supplementary health plan.
When do you start to see results?
Most patients who undergo this treatment notice the effects of the substances immediately after the session, but since it is a procedure that requires multiple sessions, results are generally observed after the first four sessions — that is, around one month after starting treatment.
Side effects
From an aesthetic standpoint, mesotherapy offers many benefits. However, its application can lead to unwanted effects that you should consider before opting for this method. Here are some possible side effects:
- Bruising, discomfort, redness, scarring, itching, localised allergic reactions or the appearance of eczema caused by sensitivity to one of the injected substances.
- Nausea
- Infections caused by substances or products that are in poor condition, or due to a weakened immune response in the patient.
- Broken veins or bleeding due to bruising following injections.
To avoid this reaction, specialists recommend that patients refrain from taking anticoagulant medications — such as aspirin or ginkgo biloba — on the day of treatment. That said, bruising that occurs for this reason typically lasts one to three days.
Contraindications
This technique is safe when performed by qualified professionals. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it, as should people with heart conditions or cancer. Those with skin infections, psoriasis and other skin conditions that are slow to heal, as well as patients living with HIV, should also refrain.
The best course of action is to speak with a doctor if you are affected by any of these conditions. And if you have any allergies, please inform the specialist before starting treatment so they can assess your individual case.
The build-up of fat, cellulite and the passage of time can all take a toll on our bodies — but mesotherapy may help to reverse these effects.
👉 If you’d like to tackle cellulite without a medical procedure, there is an effective solution: the anti-cellulite cupping method, easy to do at home! The cupping cup replicates the renowned palpate-roll massage technique to fight cellulite, firm and tone the skin. It effectively targets cellulite on the buttocks, thighs, abdomen and arms. There are 2 types of cupping cup depending on what you’re looking for:
- The pure silicone cupping cup: you manually press the cup to replicate the palpate-roll technique
- The electric cupping cup: it suctions the skin and automatically replicates the palpate-roll technique
