From this article you will learn:
- how is mesotherapy for weight loss performed,
- reviews, before and after photos,
- how much does mesotherapy cost - the price of the procedure (for 2022).
Mesotherapy can be used not only to prevent or correct age-related skin changes (for example, on the face and neck), but also to correct local fat deposits and cellulite. Injections of mesopreparations can reduce the volume of adipose tissue in local areas - on the body this is most often the abdomen, waist, thighs, arms, and armpits. On the face and neck, you can reduce the volume of the double chin, lower third of the face, jowls, and also work with fat bags in the eyelids and nasolabial folds.
Body mesotherapy for weight loss includes the use of 3 groups of drugs. The first group is vascular and drainage drugs that allow you to activate microcirculation and lymphatic drainage. The second main group is the so-called “lipolytics”, most of which work to empty fat cells (that is, remove fatty acids from them), but some are capable of irreversibly destroying fat cells. And in order to tighten the skin later, at the third stage, drugs with a lifting effect are used.
Abdominal mesotherapy for weight loss –
But patient reviews of mesotherapy are not always positive and excellent. As a rule, this is due to the fact that, in order to save time, mesotherapists often do not comply with the standards of working with local fat deposits. For example, the need for lymphatic drainage vascular injection (capillary mesotherapy) is often ignored in order to activate lymphatic drainage and microcirculation. Below are a few words about why this is a very important stage and cannot be skipped.
Due to lifestyle (sedentary work, lack of regular sports activities), absolutely all patients who turned to a mesotherapist for local fat deposits have impaired microcirculation and lymphatic drainage. And against the background of this, we begin to put lipolytics into the subcutaneous fat tissue, and then the following happens - the fat cells are emptied, and the fatty acids contained in them enter the intercellular space. But lymphatic drainage does not work, and therefore fatty acids are not excreted, remaining in the intercellular fluid, and then the following happens - fat cells begin to reabsorb them.
Important: therefore, mesotherapy for weight loss should always include lymphatic drainage vascular injection - both main and local areas. This is the first important rule that will make the course of treatment more effective. The second point is the correct choice of lipolytics, because the strongest lipolytics are not always good for the patient, because they cause fibrosis of subcutaneous fat. Well, the third point is that the effectiveness of lipolytic administration depends on the administration method (for example, using a cannula will be 30-40% more effective when compared with needle administration).
How is mesotherapy for weight loss carried out?
The classic course of correction of body fat always consists of three stages: 1) lymphatic drainage vascular injection, 2) the main stage - the use of lipolytics, 3) skin tightening. The total number of procedures will depend on the volume of fat deposits - usually 10-12 procedures, carried out once a week. But for very obese people weighing from 100 to 150 kg, one such course will not be enough, and they will need 3-4 times more procedures.
In addition, different patients may respond completely differently to treatment. When using the same treatment regimens and the same medications, the effect in some patients can be clearly noticeable after several procedures, while in others it can be almost unnoticeable. Those. Individual characteristics (hormonal levels, dietary habits, age) play a large role. For example, in women with age, the number of beta receptors responsible for the activation of lipolysis decreases on the membranes of fat cells, and therefore the effectiveness of many lipolytics decreases sharply.
Recommended drugs (by stages) –
Below we will describe in detail the content of each stage, and which mesotherapy drugs and their combinations should be used. Moreover, this standard course of therapy is applicable for the correction of any local fat deposits on the body (regardless of the zones), i.e. it is suitable for mesotherapy of the abdomen, thighs, and fat deposits of other localizations.
Recovery period
The lipolytic injection procedure rarely takes place in one session. The product begins to act immediately, but a noticeable result is formed after 3-5 applications. The course includes 3–15 procedures. The doctor selects the number of sessions individually. Manipulations are carried out at intervals of 1–2 weeks. With proper follow-up care and a healthy lifestyle, the results are permanent. To consolidate and improve the effect, the course is repeated after 1–1.5 years.
After the procedure, complex skin care is not required. The exterior remains aesthetically pleasing. Sometimes swelling and bruising appear. After injections of the substance for 1–2 days, it is recommended to apply cooling compresses 2–4 times a day. It is advisable to abandon decorative cosmetics. Maintaining water balance is mandatory.
To prevent undesirable consequences and obtain a full result after the procedure, exclude for 10–20 days:
- physical exercise;
- exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
- steaming;
- swimming in the pool, open water;
- consumption of alcohol and drugs.
For healing, it is advisable to avoid exposure to sudden temperature changes. Skin restoration is facilitated by special creams that speed up the process. Your doctor will tell you how long it will take to return to your normal lifestyle.
The first stage is lymphatic drainage vascular injection
Lymphatic drainage vascular injection (synonym – capillary mesotherapy) is the first stage, which can be called “preparation”. Usually at this stage 3 procedures are enough, but for very obese people it is advisable to stretch this stage even up to 10 procedures. The use of vascular and drainage drugs at this stage will allow us to activate lymphatic drainage, eliminate congestion, increase the tone of capillary walls, and improve tissue trophism. This stage is very important not only for weight loss programs, but also in the treatment of cellulite and varicose veins.
Lymphatic drainage vascular puncture can be main and local (according to problem areas), and we will deal with both. At the beginning of each stage 1 procedure, we perform a main vascular puncture of the body, for which you can use the ready-made combined preparation “GAG Complex DVL Capyl” - based on gingo biloba extract and troxerutin. But it would be even better to add a few ml of a drug with more pronounced drainage properties - “Artichoke” or “Rutin + melilot extract”.
Examples of drugs –
Areas for the main vascular injection of the body are injections along the midline and paravertebral lines along the spine, as well as injection lines along the outer and inner surfaces of the thighs and legs, as well as in the calf muscles. Additionally, several lines of injections can be made along the back of the thighs, if necessary. We must spend about 5.0 ml of the drug on the main vascular injection.
Working with zones - the second part of each stage 1 procedure includes working with one of the local zones (for example, the stomach). If the volume of fat deposits is small, then you can work on 2 zones at once, for example, the stomach and inner thighs. In our opinion, the optimal preparation for working with zones at stage 1 is “GAG complex DVL E”, consisting of troxerutin, plant extracts of ginkgo biloba, artichoke and yohimbine. This drug has a vascular and drainage effect, but thanks to the soft lipolytic Yohimbine, it also acquires a moderate lipolytic effect.
We can spend another 10 ml of the drug to work with 1 local zone, or treat 2 local zones with 5.0 ml each. The preparatory stage procedures are done once a week, but do not forget about sports and diet. Believe me, after 2-3 such procedures of lymphatic drainage vascular injection, even without the use of lipolytics, you will already notice positive changes. Below you can see an example of performing a lymphatic drainage vascular injection on the back (video 1) + working with local zones (video 2):
Non-injection intervention
An effect similar to the injection of the substance can be obtained with the help of physiotherapeutic influence on areas treated with special preparations. The procedure does not cause pain, there is no trauma to the skin, and many unpleasant consequences do not occur (redness, swelling, induration). The number of sessions is not limited, as with injection administration. Actions can be repeated until the desired result is obtained.
At home, lipolytic creams are used to eliminate excess volume and even out skin texture. The effectiveness of the products is less pronounced than the results from injections. You can use lipolytic cream regularly.
Popular products:
- Delipidex from Ella Baché (France). The products in the series have a warming effect, trigger fat burning processes, remove toxins, eliminate congestion, and saturate the skin with vitamins and minerals. A package of 180–200 ml is bought for 3500–6000 rubles.
- Thalasso from Natura Siberika (Russia). Hot cream helps break down fats, normalize metabolic processes, and restore blood microflow. You can purchase a 120 ml package for 300–400 rubles.
- Lipolitik Serum from Arabia (Russia). The product promotes the active breakdown of fats, the formation of contours, and has a lifting effect. A 100 ml package is purchased for 950–1100 rubles.
The preparations are effective for modeling the face and body. For minor contour correction, products with a lifting effect are often sufficient. The name “sculpting” does not mean the ability to eliminate fat.
The third stage – tightening
As a rule, this stage takes 3 procedures - with an interval of 1 week between them. The task of this stage is to tighten the skin that has sagged a little after reducing the volume of fat deposits (24stoma.ru). Good express lifting can be achieved using preparations with 3% DMAE (for example, “Silor DM”). Additionally, you can use amino acids, peptides, and vitamins. Carrying out a main vascular puncture at this stage is carried out as desired and necessary.
Additionally, at this stage, to tighten the skin at home, you can use the DermaPen device, or a special mesoscooter for the body with a needle length of 2.5 mm. This will further increase the effect of injections of skin-tightening mesopreparations at the third stage.
Thus, the entire course lasts 12 procedures: at the first stage we do 3 procedures, at the second stage 6 procedures (more if necessary), + 3 procedures at the third stage. But as we said above, for very obese people 12 procedures will certainly not be enough, and people weighing more than 100 kg may require 3-4 times more procedures than in the standard lipocorrection course we described. For such patients, there is only the first stage, at which we perform only a main + local lymphatic drainage injection without the use of lipolytics - normally it should last from 5 to 10 procedures.
Indications for use
Lipolitics are not a panacea for excessive volumes. Drug therapy promotes slight weight loss in the affected areas and improves the quality of the integument. The procedure does not allow burning a large layer of fat. The drugs are used to eliminate cosmetic defects, partially lose weight, and obtain a lifting effect.
In the facial area, lipolytics are used to achieve the following results:
- tightening loose skin;
- elimination of double chin;
- formation of a natural oval;
- reducing the volume of the cheeks;
- elimination of defects in the shape of the nose;
- minimizing bags under the eyes;
- correction of nasolabial discs, Bisha's lumps, jowls.
The most popular is the creation, with the help of lipolytics, of the correct contours of the lower third of the face, altered by the action of gravity in combination with metabolic disorders. Patients are determined to shape their cheeks and chin. Some problems cannot be solved with diets or sports: a bag under the eye, a fleshy nose. The result of using lipolytic gives a chance for non-surgical correction.
Note! The use of lipolytics is not limited by age or gender. Cosmetologists administer drug therapy according to indications to young girls, older women, and men. The doctor will tell you whether a specific problem can be eliminated with lipolytics.
Mesotherapy: cost of one procedure
For mesotherapy, the price of the procedure will depend on the volume and cost of the drugs administered, as well as on the pricing policy.
The cheapest price for injection mesotherapy services will be in a regular beauty salon, where they are provided by mesotherapists with secondary medical education. Prices will be higher in specialized dermatological clinics, where doctors with higher medical education usually conduct consultations. How much does body mesotherapy cost in specialized clinics: for example, in the price list you can see that the price of one procedure will be from 3,500 rubles (for 10.0 ml of the drug). Typically, 15.0 ml of the drug is prescribed for 1 body mesotherapy procedure for weight loss. Approximately 5.0 ml is used for the main vascular injection, and another 10.0 ml is used to work with local areas. Thus, the final price of 1 procedure in the clinic will be about 5,000-6,000 rubles, and the entire course of 12 procedures, for example, abdominal mesotherapy, can cost from 60,000 rubles.
But if you go to a mesotherapist at a beauty salon, then the prices in these establishments will be lower, and 1 procedure will cost from 2500 to 3500 rubles (depending on the drugs used). But these prices are true only for cellulite therapy and weight loss procedures, i.e. when working with the body. If we are talking about mesotherapy of the face, neck, scalp, as well as intensive facial biorevitalization procedures, the cost of the procedures will be different (see links below).
→ Cost of facial mesotherapy procedures → Cost of biorevitalization procedures → Cost of hair mesotherapy procedures
Carrying out manipulations
When a patient comes to the clinic, the doctor conducts a preliminary conversation. The cosmetologist performs an examination, gets acquainted with the client’s wishes, finds out possible contraindications, and prescribes tests to clarify the general clinical picture. Based on the information received, the doctor proposes a correction scheme: selects the substance, dosage, and number of interventions.
Advice. If the cosmetologist does not show interest in your well-being and performs a cursory examination, then it is better to refuse the procedure with such a doctor. It is recommended to perform the manipulation in a clinic with a good reputation. Positive reviews from friends are the best option.
Injections of the substance are performed only when you feel stable. Elevated temperature, pressure surges, and other manifestations of disease are excluded.
Before injecting the drug, be sure to clean the skin in the affected areas and treat it with an antiseptic. Anesthesia is performed at the request of the patient. The injection procedure does not cause significant discomfort.
The doctor marks the injection sites in problem areas. The drug is injected under the skin with a thin needle pointwise to a depth of 1–1.5 cm. The dosage of the substance is determined individually and depends on the nature of the problem. The procedure is completed by applying an antiseptic, a cream that reduces skin irritation.
After the injections, the doctor suggests relaxing and resting for 30–40 minutes. Time helps to understand the body's reaction to the injected substance. If the patient feels well, they are released.
Mesotherapy: before and after photos
In this section you can see examples of what results can be achieved through injection mesotherapy. Moreover, please note that injections of mesopreparations are used not only to correct local fat deposits, but are also one of the main methods of treating cellulite (in the photo below, note the change in skin condition in patients with cellulite).
Mesotherapy procedures: before and after photos
Contraindications
It is recommended to carefully approach the preliminary conversation with the cosmetologist. Health information helps the doctor eliminate possible contraindications. Questions must be answered sincerely. The result of the manipulation depends on this. The procedure will be denied if:
- intolerance to lipolytic components;
- malignant neoplasms;
- acute stage of any disease;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- cardiovascular disorders;
- difficulties with the kidneys, liver, endocrine system;
- HIV infection.
Important point! Injection interventions are not recommended during menstruation or when feeling unwell.
Complications of lipolytic administration -
Local complications when working with the aggressive lipolytic deoxycholate are the formation of dense infiltrates and local fibrous compactions in the soft tissues. You should take into account that the more often you do courses of body mesotherapy for weight loss with deoxycholate, the more areas of fibrosis there will be in the fatty tissue. In turn, fibrosis of the pancreas will reduce the effectiveness of all subsequent courses of lipolytics, and without a cannula in the future it will be much more difficult to achieve a good effect.
If there are errors in calculating the volume of the drug and the depth of administration, very severe inflammatory reactions can occur. In addition, on the thighs or any areas with not too thick adipose tissue, the administration of deoxycholate can lead to a “washboard” effect. Those. There will be a focal decrease in the amount of fat with a change in the relief of the skin surface. Therefore, the safest local areas for administering deoxycholate are the stomach and sides.
You will also certainly have hematomas after injections (this always happens), and also a complication can also be understood as the lack of effect from the course of treatment. Considering all of the above, it is very important to understand which specialist you are seeing and what this specialist has the right to do for you.
An important question: which specialists have the right to perform lipolytic injections?
First of all, you should first make sure that the specialist you are visiting has the right to practice mesotherapy. It is good if mesotherapy is performed by a doctor, i.e. specialist with higher medical education. But in most cases, nurses work as mesotherapists. In order for a nurse to receive the right to practice mesotherapy, she must complete the following two training courses for advanced training - 1) “nursing in cosmetology”, 2) a training course in mesotherapy.
Let me draw your attention to the fact that the right to practice mesotherapy does not appear after any training course in mesotherapy, but only if it is a standardized course that complies with the program approved by the Ministry of Education. Such a course must last at least 32 hours, and after its completion, a certificate of an established (state) standard is issued on paper with watermarks (Fig. 17). All other courses and certificates do not give the right to engage in this type of activity.
What should a standard mesotherapy certificate look like?
In addition, there is also such a profession as “cosmetologist-esthetician,” which means that such a specialist can only give you facial massage, masks and peelings. That is, this is not even a health worker at all. However, in an effort to earn money, many training centers teach mesotherapy even to such “specialists” who do not even have a secondary medical education (thus violating the law). Therefore, you should make sure that you are at least not a cosmetologist-esthetician when doing lipolytic injections.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the administration of lipolytics by cannulas. This is a more complex technique, and mesotherapists with secondary medical education do not have the right to do this; they can only administer lipolytics by injection. Only doctors can legally work with cannulas, i.e. specialists with higher medical education (cosmetologists, surgeons).
Consequences
If there are no contraindications, then the occurrence of side effects if the procedure is carried out correctly is minimal. Swelling, redness, and local hemorrhages of moderate localization are considered normal.
Seal formation may occur. In most cases, symptoms go away on their own within 2–5 days. If the swelling remains, or if skin tension bothers you, it is recommended to additionally consult with a cosmetologist.
Doctors record the following undesirable consequences:
- discomfort at the injection site, rashes (itching, burning, irritation);
- obsessive headache;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- temperature increase;
- skin hyperpigmentation.
If pronounced manifestations occur that do not go away for 2–5 days, it is imperative to seek medical help. The consequences of incorrect actions when administering a substance are also complications: tissue necrosis, muscle fibrosis. The conditions are dangerous to health, are fraught with negative changes in appearance, and require special treatment.
Targeted neutralization of the drug in case of unsuccessful results is not required. The components of lipolytics are excreted naturally. Elimination of serious undesirable consequences requires an individual approach. The development of the result occurs gradually. If you are dissatisfied with the effect of the substance, stop subsequent sessions.
A few words about hormones and nutrition -
Lipogenesis (the process of accumulation of fatty acids in fat cells) is triggered by the hormone known to you as insulin. The higher its concentration in the blood, the more fat cells capture fatty acids, accumulating them. And if you want to reduce the volume of adipose tissue, then it is important not only to inject lipolytics, but first you should exclude foods with a high glycemic index (boiled potatoes and carrots, rice, starch, sugar, etc.) from your diet.
Secondly, diet is important, i.e. It is best to eat more often, but little by little. This allows you to reduce peak insulin concentrations in the blood and also make your metabolism more intense. Thirdly, good sleep is important. If you don’t get enough sleep, the body’s production of growth hormone decreases, and this hormone is one of the activators of lipolysis. As a result, poor sleep also contributes to weight gain. We hope you found this article useful!
Sources:
1. Add. professional
, 2. Personal experience with clinical use, 3. National Library of Medicine (USA), 4. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (USA), 5. “Aesthetic mesotherapy” (Tochinova N.A.), 6. https://www.mesopharm.ru/.
Opinion of cosmetologists
The doctors are positive. The composition of lipolytics is considered completely safe. The technique is highly effective. In addition to weight loss, doctors are seeing positive effects on the skin. Obtaining the expected result requires sufficient experience in working with lipolytics. Instructions received on educational forums are not enough for full mastery of substances. Doctors often give additional massage.
Doctors do not always trust direct lipolytics. Substances of indirect action, meso-cocktails, are considered more reliable and safe means. Anyone who has injected various drugs is confident in the results.
Doctors believe that not all problems associated with fat deposits can be controlled by lipolytics.
Experienced doctors are confident in the positive effects of fat-burning substances, but they prefer careful use of funds to obtain the planned result.
Patient reviews
Patients treat lipolytics with distrust. It is not always possible to achieve an ideal result. Patients are afraid of the possibility of side effects and the duration of the course. Doctors do not always recommend performing the procedure. You can achieve results from a lipolytic if the severity of the problem is minor.
The patient noticed effectiveness, but is waiting for the result to improve.
Patients are afraid of the duration of treatment, pain, and unpleasant consequences.
Patients are not always able to take advantage of the possibility of correction with lipolytics due to contraindications and skeptical predictions of doctors.