Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a non-surgical procedure currently being used to combat hair loss and promote hair growth. Already widely used by physicians and dermatologists to decrease the look of cellulite and smooth the skin, mesotherapy has most recently been adapted to treat alopecia, or hair loss.  A mixture of vitamins, minerals and/or DHT blockers is injected into the layer of fat under the skin in order to stimulate hair growth, and possibly reverse hair loss. Proponents of mesotherapy believe that these injections will increase blood circulation to the weakened or dormant hair follicles, and replace the vitamins and minerals that we lose with age, thus curbing hair loss and encouraging new hair growth.

History

Developed in the early 1950’s by French physician Dr. Michel Pistor, mesotherapy was initially used to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatology and sports traumatology. Pistor theorized that injuries would heal more quickly if medication was delivered close to the injured area by superficial injections.

When mesotherapy was introduced into the United States, physicians took the basic principles of the procedure and adapted them to work in aesthetic-based medicine – perhaps most famously as an alternative to liposuction for the treatment of cellulite and fat reduction. In time, the essentials of mesotherapy were adapted to treat alopecia: inject natural and synthetic ingredients close to the hair follicle and hair growth should follow!

Procedure

Mesotherapy, and its maintenance period, requires a long-term commitment on the patient’s part. The initial treatment requires eight to twelve series of monthly micro-injections, followed by monthly maintenance treatments.

There is no set formula for what is injected into the mesoderm, so the ingredients in the cocktail vary from practitioner to practitioner. However, cocktails generally include a combination of vitamins, minerals, medication, natural extracts and/or DHT blockers, each believed to help encourage hair growth in patients. The physician injects the mixture by hand, with the aid of a Dermaroller or, more likely, by using a Mesotherapy gun that is fitted with a tiny, thin sterile needle. Although the injections are very shallow (about 2-3mm beneath the skin’s surface) and are rumoured to be painless, a topical anesthetic may be applied before the process starts, in order to minimize any pain or discomfort the patient may feel. Each individual session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes and recovery time is minimal.

The initial series of injections may last anywhere from a few weeks, to several months before the maintenance stage is finally achieved. As with all alopecia treatments, any benefits or effects of mesotherapy will be noticeable only as long as the treatments are continued.
Proponents of mesotherapy believe that by injecting the cocktail directly into the mesoderm, essential nutrients and vitamins are delivered directly into the damaged or dormant hair follicle, thus maximizing the possibility for new hair growth. They insist that a patient should be seeing an increase in hair growth within weeks to months of beginning treatment.

However, the effectiveness of mesotherapy is much-debated among physicians and hair loss professionals. Many point to the absence of scientific studies into the procedure’s effectiveness, despite mesotherapy having been used against Alopecia for quite some time. Yet, others point to the profit that can be made by physicians who administer their patients’ a long series of injections before any results or benefits can be seen (if any). A single treatment can cost anywhere from $250 to $400, depending on the patient’s location. Most doctors recommend visiting a reputable physician or dermatologist in order to explore safer, more regulated treatments.

Accessibility

Ideal candidate for mesotherapy is anyone in the early stages of alopecia. Beyond that, a suitable patient is anyone with a complete understanding of the procedure (who has realistic expectations of what the treatment can and cannot do), and who is mature enough to understand the potential physical and psychological side effects. Patients who suffer from any chronic ailments, or who have known allergies, should discuss the treatment thoroughly with physician before proceeding. An allergy test is highly recommended to determine if there are any ingredients in the mixture that may trigger an allergic reaction. Persons who use blood thinners, or have a history of blood clotting, should explore other treatment options.

The cost of treatment is often difficult to establish, but a single treatment should range between $250 and $350 USD. With the initial treatment period requiring a series of 8 to 12 microinjections, over a span of 4-6 weeks to several months, candidates must be able to budget accordingly. In addition to this initial expense, there are also monthly maintenance costs after (or if) results are seen. Mesotherapy is a commitment and any hair growth will stop once treatments end: in short, make sure you’re prepared for the financial undertaking.

Side Effects

The side effects from the microinjections themselves are quite minimal. Individuals with sensitive skin may experience some minor bruising or redness in the injection area. It’s important to note that an increase in hair loss may also result from mesotherapy treatments. This can be a temporary side effect, indicating the body is shedding dead hair follicles to prepare for new growth, or in some instances, the hair loss may be permanent (and a clear indicator that the procedure is not working). Any hair loss must be monitored closely with your physician, in order to determine if the treatment should be continued.

As with most hair loss procedures that are not federally regulated, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of mesotherapy for the treatment of alopecia. The ingredients injected into the mesoderm are not regulated by the FDA, thus there is no safety guideline to abide by.  It is up to the physician to determine what ingredients are used in the cocktail, the ratio of ingredients, and to disclose if any ingredients are FDA-approved.

Because there is no set formula, it is difficult to determine if there will be any complications outside of injection-related side effects. Be wary of practitioners and companies who claim to be using “all natural ingredients” as herbs are not regulated or tested by the FDA and thus their safety and effectiveness have not been researched or documented.  Organic does not necessarily mean safe.  Before you begin mesotherapy or any other treatment for alopecia, do exhaustive research of your own. Request a full disclosure of the ingredients of the injectable cocktail, and discuss the procedure thoroughly with your physician.

Testimonials And Links

For testimonials from people who have used Mesotherapy for a variety of reasons, including for the treatment of Alopecia, visit RealSelf’s Mesotherapy page.

Watch this for a video of mesotherapy being performed for the treatment of alopecia with the use of a mesotherapy gun. This video shows the injections being done by hand.

Mesotherapy in Management of Hairloss – Is it of Any Use? Published in the International Journal of Trichology, this article is written in layman’s terms, and gives an overview of why physicians and hair loss specialists do not believe in the effectiveness of mesotherapy as a treatment for alopecia.