Mesotherapy for Cellulite Reduction

If lumpy orange-peel-like skin around your hips and thighs is your concern, consider mesotherapy. Mesotherapy was developed in France in 1952 by Dr. Michel Pistor and has been done in Europe for 50 years for fat and cellulite reduction. This technique of injecting medications directly into the middle layer of skin for spot treatment of cellulite is now done in the United States.

Cellulite

Cellulite can be anywhere on your body but tends to appear on thighs, hips, and buttocks, and it's more common for women than men. You don't have to be overweight to have cellulite. When the lymphatic system of your body is unable to handle the amount of toxins, fat cells become boated and caught in the connective tissue of the skin. This trapped fat is cellulite.

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system carries waste fluids and toxins through your body. Introducing toxins like alcohol, excess fat, cigarettes, processed foods and refined sugars into your body can clog the lymphatic system. A clogged lymph system is treated with mesotherapy. The injections target spots where trapped fat nodules are left under the skin. Treatment can be permanent if you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Treatment

Your areas of concern are cleansed and marked while you are standing up. Multiple injections are done with tiny needles mounted in an injector gun. The medication injected is a mixture of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and homeopathic medicine. There is no down time with this procedure and little pain. Treatments are done in a series: usually twice a week for four to eight weeks

Side Effects

You may experience burning at the time of the injections. Numbness, swelling bruising, itching or pain near the injection sites is common. Avoid aspirin, Tylenol or any other anti-inflammatory or blood thinning medications before your treatment. Stop strenuous exercise for a few days following your treatment. Hematomas--or collections of blood under the skin--are rare side effects.

FDA

Mesotherapy is not approved as a treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which does not consider them drugs. The vitamin and mineral supplements contained in mesotherapy injections are not FDA-regulated. Some medications in mesotherapy injections are regulated by the FDA. Ask your mesotherapy practitioner what medications will be used.

Providers

Mesotherapy is done by doctors, physicians' assistants, nurses, medical assistants and other trained professionals. Many companies offering training for mesotherapy injections. The American Board of Aesthetic Mesotherapy was developed to promote safe and ethical mesotherapy practices. Request your provider's training and certification on mesotherapy procedure.

Tips

Darker skin is sensitive, so the needles used are thinner and some medications can cause discoloration in dark skin tones. Don't wear makeup, creams or fragrance during your treatment. Mesotherapy should not be considered if you are pregnant. Ask how many treatments you will need and pricing. Mesotherapy can be expensive with one treatment costing about $200. (as of September 2009). Treatment in a series on multiple areas can run into the thousands of dollars.

References

• Mesotherapy
• What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Weight Loss