Mesotherapy: Modern Miracle or Expensive Snake Oil?

PROMISES

Injection treatment touted as a cure for numerous, unrelated cosmetic problems of modern society -- cellulite, weight loss, hair removal, and facial rejuvenation. Results reported are favorably compared to those from major surgery.

The following text is from a mesotherapy website (their text is in blue):

ACHIEVE RESULTS

Pioneered by the French physician, Dr. Michel Pistor, mesotherapy is a non-surgical, painless injection technique with a broad range of applications. Mesotherapy promotes the body's circulatory, lymphatic, and immune system to create a biological response and reverse abnormal physiology.

Mesotherapy is a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of cellulite, weight loss, hair loss (alopecia), and face and neck rejuvenation. Unlike surgery, mesotherapy is virtually painless, requires no post-operative recovery time, requires no heavy bandages or girdles, and no anesthesia is necessary.

While many surgical procedures require one to two weeks of recovery, patients undergoing mesotherapy have no interruptions to their daily life, while obtaining a natural cosmetic rejuvenation. Mesotherapy involves the injection of a customized mixture of vitamins, amino acids, and medications, placed just millimeters under the skin into the problematic area. Just a "drop" of solution is used at each injection site.

The results obtained with mesotherapy are dramatic. After completing a series of mesotherapy treatments, generally over a three month period of time, patients can notice improvement in skin quality, less dimpling of the skin, and weight reduction including a loss of approximately ten pounds and one to two clothing sizes. For those undergoing treatment of hair loss, regrowth can begin just weeks after the first procedure. After approximately six months, areas of baldness are revitalized, replaced by normal growing hair. For those suffering from sagging skin and poor skin quality of the face and neck, a "mesolift" may be beneficial.

PITFALLS

The above text from a website claims mesotherapy is an easy answer to many cosmetic problems. It makes many unsubstantiated claims and promises. No scientific studies are quoted and, in fact in a search of medical literature none were found.

UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS:

• "Safe and effective alternative to the treatment of weight loss (obesity?), hair loss, Cellulite, and facial rejuvenation (facial aging?)."
• "Results are dramatic!"
• "Weight loss, 10 pounds, and 1-2 dress sizes"
• "After 6 mo. areas of baldness are revitalized, replaced with normal growing hair."
• "Sagging and poor skin quality of face and neck, mesolift (catchy term) MAY be beneficial"
• "Mesotherapy promotes the body’s circulation, lymphatic and immune systems to create a biological response and reverse abnormal physiology."

ALARMING STATEMENTS:

• "Injection of a CUSTOMIZED MIXTURE of vitamins, amino acids, and medications."
  NO DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFICS OF THIS MIXTURE COULD BE FOUND. However, some of the drugs used are:
  • Aminophylline, an asthma medicine -- not FDA approved for cosmetic uses
  • Isopreteranol, a cardiac medicine -- not FDA approved for cosmetic uses
  • Phosphatidylcholine -- not FDA approved in injectable form
• "Up to 15 treatments may be required" where individual treatments may cost hundreds of dollars
• AN EASY SALE: as a mesotherapy website touts: "with minimal side effects, no surgery and a pain-free recovery"