Mesotherapy is an alternative medical technique that involves targeted injections of drugs into the deep layer of the skin (the dermis).

Mesotherapy is a medical technique invented in France in the early 1950s by general practitioner Michel Pistor. It consists of injecting low doses of drugs under the dermis (the innermost layer of the skin). The principle is to use smaller amounts of medication by targeting the area to be treated directly or as close as possible.

Initially intended to treat localized pain and venous insufficiency, this technique is now used to treat many different pathologies. Let us quote for example:

• rheumatism;
• osteoarthritis;
• lower back or neck pain;
• tendonitis;
• sprains;
• tinnitus;
• the area;
• ENT infections;
• hair loss (alopecia);
• ect.

In France, mesotherapy is taught in medical school to qualified doctors or students, from the 3rd cycle of medical studies. There is an interuniversity mesotherapy diploma and only holders can mention this technique on their plate.

Health insurance recognizes mesotherapy as a so-called “complementary” therapeutic practice and in certain cases acts performed by a general practitioner may be partially reimbursed. On the other hand, no support is provided for mesotherapy acts within the framework of aesthetic medicine.

It is difficult to conclude as to the real benefits of this technique because the scientific studies which prove its effectiveness are few. However, it is still used regularly for pain management, particularly in rheumatology, sports medicine and also in aesthetic medicine.

Mesotherapy arouses a growing interest in aesthetic medicine where it is presented as an alternative to surgery. It is mainly used in cellulite treatments or to melt fat in the thighs, buttocks, hips, legs, arms and even the face, around the eyes.

Cellulite is an accumulation of fat under the skin, giving it a so-called “orange peel” appearance. The technique adopted by mesotherapists is therefore to inject substances to melt the fat in the areas concerned. Many substances can be injected, for example: collagenase enzymes, caffeine or even artichoke extracts.

During a mesotherapy session, the doctor performs several superficial injections of drugs directly on or around the sites to be treated. The injections are done using a fine needle 4 to 13 mm long. They can be done manually or with an electronic injector gun. Depending on the disease to be treated and the strategy adopted by the doctor, the number of injections required may vary and may sometimes go up to several hundred. The number of sessions may also vary depending on the condition. In acute cases, such as sports injuries, 1 to 3 sessions may be sufficient. On the contrary, for chronic diseases such as rheumatism or osteoarthritis, 10 to 15 sessions spanning 6 months or a full year are sometimes necessary.

Followers of mesotherapy claim that side effects are extremely rare or limited if injections are performed by a professional. However, scientific publications that assess the effectiveness or risks of mesotherapy are scarce. Skin infections are the most listed risk, but the appearance of hematomas, allergic reactions localized at the injection site, as well as the toxicity of the products should not be neglected. The injected solutions often contain products used in conventional medicine but outside the marketing authorization. It is the medical practitioner who chooses and mixes the substances himself before the injections.