How Mesotherapy Can Treat Cellulite?
Many women are talking about the amazing benefits of mesotherapy and if you haven't heard mesotherapy is considered the most affective and long lasting cellulite treatment available today.
If you have heard about mesotherapy and are interested in learning about how it works you came to the right place, because below I've provided a brief overview on mesotherapy, what it is, how it works, the costs, risks, and so more!
Let's start.
Mesotherapy – what is it?
Mesotherapy is a special technique invented by Dr. Michel Pistor in 1952 to deliver medications below the skin's surface and today this technique is being used to treat cellulite. In mesotherapy, very small doses of different medications are injected in specific areas of the body to burn fat.
It is medications and nutritional supplements that are used in mesotherapy which work to melt the fat beneath the skin and shrink your fat cells in cellulite.
Cellulite - Mesotherapy:
There are different levels of cellulite, your doctor will develop a formula based on your grade of cellulite and during treatment, the formula is painlessly injected into the cellulite at regular intervals along the affected area. This process of correcting cellulite typically requires 10 to 15 sessions per area.
Here are the levels of cellulite:
Stage 0: No visible cellulite or when skin is pinched.
Stage 1: No visible cellulite when standing or lying down, but cellulite is visible when skin is pinched.
Stage 2: Visible cellulite while standing, but not when lying down.
Stage 3: Visible cellulite while standing and lying down.
Since there are four stages of cellulite, each patient has different dosages of the medications, so et's take a look at common medications used in mesotherapy and how they work.
Mesotherapy Medications
Aminophylline
The main ingredient in mesotherapy and in most cellulite treatments is aminophylline. Aminophylline is an FDA approved medication commonly used to treat asthma and as a cellulite treatment it works to burn fat cells in the body. Here's how:
On the surface of each of your fat cells are Alpha and Beta receptors and the betas work to burn fat and the alphas work to add fat. A simple way to remember is alpha=adding and beta=burning.
Above the waist, women have an equal alpha beta ratio but below the waist the story is much different. Women have 6 to 8 alpha-receptors for every beta-receptor and this is the reason why it is so difficult for women to lose weight in this area. Alpha receptors are stimulated by carbohydrates, fat ingestion, amino acids and also alcohol.
In mesotherapy, Aminophylline allows your beta receptors to burn your fat efficiently.
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine or PPC helps dissolve fat so that it can be carried through the bloodstream and excreted by the kidneys and bowel and PPC is derived from soy lecithin and is FDA approved as a nutritional supplement.
PPC alters the metabolism of fatty substances like cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, which means it affects fat by making it, water soluble. Fat-soluble and water soluble substances are not compatible; similar to oil and water. Therefore, these fat cells must be eliminated by the body and just as hot water and dish soap break down grease in a frying pan, PPC dissolves fat away.
PPC can also been used to break down fatty deposits in patients with high cholesterol, fatty liver disease and heart vessels which are filled with fatty plaques.
Hyaluronidase
Hyaluronidase is also an FDA approved medication which is used to reduce the dimpling effect of cellulite. Cellulite occurs when connective tissue under the skin trap bulging bundles of fat creating a bumpy "dimpled" appearance in the skin and this connective tissue contains a large amount of hyaluronic acid which causes cellulite.
Hyaluronidase is a natural enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid and it also enhances the absorption and dispersion of PPC to enhance the breakdown of fat cells between the connective tissue bands.
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine in mesotherapy helps ultimate fat burning in the body. It transports fatty acids into cells called the mitochondria so that it can be burned for fuel and L-Carnitine is also an FDA approved, but as a nutritional supplement only. Diet and exercise along with L-Carnitine will maximize the removal of fat.
Lidocaine
This is an FDA approved anesthetic that is used in low doses in mesotherapy to maximize your comfort by blocking pain almost instantly after the injection is made.
Risks of Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy should be performed by a certified mesosurgeon and if your treatment is conducted by a professional, risks are minor such as:
* Burning that lasts 15-20 minutes
* Minor swelling that lasts 1-5 days
* Minor soreness that lasts several days
* Minor discoloration of skin
* Slight risk of infection
Mesotherapy – Are Results Permanent?
Mesotherapy provides lasting results and combining mesotherapy with a proper diet and exercise program will help prolong the results. Depending on your treatment, you may need additional treatments every 6 to 8 months to maintain the desired result.
Mesotherapy - Costs
Mesotherapy compared to liposuction is quite reasonable as it can range anywhere from $300-$800 per session whereas liposuction costs between $5,000-$10,000. The cost of mesotherapy also depends on your level of cellulite and Mesotherapy sessions are most effective if done weekly, but can be done every other week as your schedule and budget may permit.
Mesotherapy - Results
Overall, mesotherapy proves to be a very effective technique in reducing cellulite and is much safer and inexpensive than liposuction; which doesn't work for cellulite and actually makes cellulite worse.
However, there are many cellulite creams, which have advanced ingredients such as aminophylline that also provide dramatic results. I say first try a good cellulite cream and then if you don't see results go for the mesotherapy.
Learn more about the differences between liposuction and mesotherapy.
Learn about some effective cellulite creams.
