Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Cosmetic Mesotherapy: Between Scientific Evidence, Science Fiction, and Lucrative Business

  • Review
  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mesotherapy, originally conceived in Europe, is a minimally invasive technique that consists of the intra- or subcutaneous injection of variable mixtures of natural plant extracts, homeopathic agents, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and other bioactive substances in microscopic quantities through dermal multipunctures. Its application in cosmetic medicine and surgery is gaining in popularity and acceptance and is rapidly growing in profile at an alarming rate. Despite their attraction as purported rejuvenating and ‘‘fat-dissolving’’ injections, the safety and efficacy of these novel cosmetic treatments remain ambiguous, making mesotherapy vulnerable to criticism by the generally more skeptical medical community. The technique is shrouded in mystery and the controversy surrounding it pertains to its efficacy and potential adverse effects that are subject of much concern. As with any new technology, it is important to assess the benefits, safety, experience, and standardization of mesotherapy. More studies are necessary before it can be advocated as a safe and effective treatment for body contouring and facial rejuvenation. Although the claims made about mesotherapy may be hard to believe at face value, we must be cautious about rejecting new ideas. Just as absence of proof is not proof of absence, lack of scientific validation is not proof that it does not work.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mesotherapy. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesotherapy. Accessed 10 February 2008

  2. Rittes PG (2001) The use of phosphatidylcholine for correction of lower lid bulging due to prominent fat pads. Dermatol Surg 27:391–392

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Nagore E, Ramos P, Botella-Estrada R, Ramos-Níguez JA, Sanmartín O, Castejón P (2001) Cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium fortuitum after localized microinjections (mesotherapy) treated successfully with a triple drug regimen. Acta Derm Venereol 81:291–293

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Micali G, Lacarrubba F, Tedeschi A, Nodstrom R (2008) Mesotherapy for rejuvenation of photoaged skin: Ultrasound evaluation. J Am Acad Dermatol 58:AB23

    Google Scholar 

  5. Rotunda A, Kolodney MS (2006) Mesotherapy and phosphatidylcholine injections: historical clarification and review. Dermatol Surg 32:465–480

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Mesotherapie and Estetik. Available at http://www.mesotherapy.com/faq/. Accessed 11 February 2008

  7. Mesotherapy domains: Mesotherapy, the ‘safer’ way to slimming down. Available at http://www.mesotherapydomains.com/mesotherapy.html. Accessed 10 February 2008

  8. Brown S (2006) The science of mesotherapy: chemical anarchy. Aesthetic Surg J 26:95–98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Tanrikulu L (2007) Mesotherapy: medical education. Turk Klinikleri J Med Sci 27:272–275

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kalil A (2006) Aesthetic mesotherapy: the US approach and contribution. Cosmet Dermatol 19:753–758

    Google Scholar 

  11. Rotunda AM, Avram MM, Avram A (2005) Cellulite: is there a role for injectable? J Cosmet Laser Ther 7:147–154

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Doerr TD (2007) Lipoplasty of the face and neck. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 15:228–232

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Seon MY, Yong BC, Kyu JA (2005) A case of panniculitis following mesotherapy. Korean J Dermatol 43:431–433

    Google Scholar 

  14. Matarasso A, Pfeiffer TM, the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation DATA Committee (2005) Mesotherapy for body contouring. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1420–1424

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Stachowski J, Botts K, Rine L, Kato D, Pollock J (2006) Mesotherapy: cosmetic applications. Int J Pharmaceut Compound 10:331–334

    Google Scholar 

  16. Caruso MK, Roberts AT, Bissoon L, Self KS, Guillot TS, Greenway FL (2007) An evaluation of mesotherapy solutions for inducing lipolysis and treating cellulite. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg October 20. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2007.03.039. (Epub ahead of print)

  17. Bryant R (2004) Controversial mesotherapy: could it be the next Botox? Dermatol Times 25:1

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lawrence N (2003) Commentary: no smoking gun: findings from a national survey of office-based cosmetic surgery adverse event reporting. Dermatol Surg 29:1099

    Google Scholar 

  19. Tonkovic-Capin M, Riddle CC, Schweiger ES, Aires DJ, Manson SH, Tonkovic-Capin V (2007) Brief discussion: medicolegal aspects of consent and checklists for common cosmetic procedures. Cosmet Dermatol 20(5):291–294

    Google Scholar 

  20. Rohrich RJ (2005) Mesotherapy: what is it? does it work? Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1425

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Salti G, Ghersetich I, Tantussi F, Bovani B, Lotti T (2008) Phosphatidylcholine and sodium deoxycholate in thetreatment of localized fat: a double-blind, randomized study. Dermatol Surg 34:60–66

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Prins JB, O’Rahilly S (1997) Regulation of adipose cell number in man. Clin Sci 92:3–11

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Londos C, Brasaemle DL, Schultz CJ, Adler-Wailes DC, Levin DM, Kimmel AR, Rondinone CM (1999) On the control of lipolysis in adipocytes. Ann N Y Acad Sci 892:155–168

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Gryskiewicz JM, Adams WP Jr (2006) Plastic surgeons rate the “hot topics”. Aesthetic Surg J 26:479–484

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Rittes PG, Rittes JC, Carriel Amary MF (2006) Injection of phosphatidylcholine in fat tissue: experimental study of local action in rabbits. Aesthetic Plast Surg 30:474–478

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Greenway FL, Bray GA, Heber D (1995) Topical fat reduction. Obes Res 3(Suppl 4):561S–568S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kolehmainen M, Ohisalo JJ, Kaartinen JM, Tuononen V, Pääkkönen M, Poikolainen E, Alhava E, Uusitupa MI (2000) Concordance of in vivo microdialysis and in vitro techniques in the studies of adipose tissue metabolism. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 24:1426–1432

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Aicher R (2003) Cosmetic surgery and the law. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Aesthetic Soc News 7:11

    Google Scholar 

  29. Brandão C, Fernandes N, Mesquita N, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Silva R, Viana HL, Dias LM (2005) Abdominal haematoma – a mesotherapy complication. Acta Derm Venereol 85:446

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Rosenbaum M, Prieto V, Hellmer J, Boschmann M, Krueger J, Leibel RL, Ship AG (1998) An exploratory investigation of the morphology and biochemistry of cellulite. Plast Reconstr Surg 101:1934–1939

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Young VL (2003) Lipostabil: the effect of phosphatidylcholine on subcutaneous fat. Aesthetic Surg J 23:413–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (January 2006) Technology report: mesotherapy. Available at http://www.asds.net/TechnologyReportMesotherapy.aspx. Accessed 15 February 2008

  33. Amin S, Phelps R, Goldberg D (2006) Mesotherapy for facial skin rejuvenation: a clinical, histologic, and electron microscopic evaluation. Dermatol Surg 32(12):1467–1472

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Serra M, Pereira FB (2002) Subcutaneous infiltration with phosphatidylcholine solution for treatment of buffalo hump and fatty pads. In: Program and abstracts of the 3rd International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV. Athens, Greece, October 23–26, 2001, vol 6, pp 75–76

  35. Rose PT, Morgan M (2005) Histological changes associated with mesotherapy for fat dissolution. J Cosmet Laser Ther 7:17–19

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Duncan DI, Hasengschwandtner F, Leonfelden B (2005) Lipodissolve for subcutaneous fat reduction and skin retraction. Aesthetic Surg J 25:530–543

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hexsel D, Serra M, Mazzuco R, Dal’Forno T, Zechmeister D (2003) Phosphatidylcholine in the treatment of localized fat. J Drugs Dermatol 2:511–518

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Singh K (2006) Nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. J Int Med Sci Acad 19:158–164

    Google Scholar 

  39. Vedamurthy M (2007) Mesotherapy. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 73:60–62

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Edwards DA (2004) Bio Health Center. Available at www.biohealthcenter.com/wrinkles.html. Accessed 10 February 2008

  41. Nagore E, Ramos P, Botella-Estrada R, Ramos-Níguez JA, Sanmartín O, Castejón P (2001) Cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium fortuitum after localized microinjections (mesotherapy) treated successfully with a triple drug regimen. Acta Derm Venereol 81:291–293

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Lee DP, Chang SE (2005) Subcutaneous nodules showing fat necrosis owing to mesotherapy. Dermatol Surg 3:250–251

    Google Scholar 

  43. Bessis D, Guilhou JJ, Guillot B (2004) Localized urticaria pigmentosa triggered by mesotherapy. Dermatology 209:343–344

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Tan J, Rao B (2006) Mesotherapy-induced panniculitis treated with dapsone: case report and review of reported adverse effects of mesotherapy. J Cutan Med Surg 10:92–95

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Rosina P, Chieregato C, Miccolis D, D’Onghia FS (2001) Psoriasis and side-effects of mesotherapy. Int J Dermatol 40:581–583

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Henry F, Piérard-Franchimont C, Piérard GE (2005) Clinical case of the month. Atypical mycobacteria and mesotherapy. Rev Med Liege 60:7–10

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Colón-Soto M, Peredo RA, Vilá LM (2006) Systemic lupus erythematosus after mesotherapy with acetyl-L-carnitine. J Clin Rheumatol 12:261–262

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Furlong W, Cunanan BA, Weymouth LA, Pearson JL, Sockwell DC, Jenkins SR, Marr J, Tipple M, Shah DD, Blythe D, Lum GR, Glymph AC, Davies-Cole JO, Srinivasan A, Meites E, Sunenshine RH (2005) Outbreak of mesotherapy-associated skin reactions—District of Columbia area, January–February 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 54:1127–1130

    Google Scholar 

  49. Sañudo A, Vallejo F, Sierra M, Hoyos JG, Yepes S, Wolff JC, Correa LA, Montealegre C, Navarro P, Bedoya E, Sanclemente G (2007) Nontuberculous mycobacteria infection after mesotherapy: preliminary report of 15 cases. Int J Dermatol 46:649–653

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. ASPS/PSEF (2005) Mesotherapy not proven as a safe alternative to liposuction: plastic surgeons caution against unknown dangers, April 18, 2005. Available at www.plasticsurgery.org/media/press_releases/Mesotherapy-Not-Proven-As-A-Safe-Alternative-To-Liposuction.cfm. Accessed 10 February 2008

  51. ASPS/PSEF (2007) Non-invasive fat-melting procedures – hype or reality? Emerging trends discussed at American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, October 27, 2007. Available at www.plasticsurgery.org/media/press_releases/Non-Invasive-Fat-Melting-Procedures-Hype-or-Reality.cfm. Accessed 15 February 2008

  52. Rohrich RJ, Janis EJ, Reisman NR (2003) Use of off-label and non-approved drugs and devices in plastic surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg 112:241–243

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2005) Policy statement: mesotherapy. Available at www.plasticsurgery.org/medical_professionals/Policy_Statements/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=16075. Accessed 11 February 2008

  54. Donofrio LM (2007) Mesotherapy. Cosmet Dermatol 20:97-98

  55. Rivera-Olivero IA, Guevara A, Escalona A, Oliver M, Pérez-Alfonzo R, Piquero J, Zerpa O, de Waard JH (2006) Soft tissue infections due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria following mesotherapy. What is the price of beauty? Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 24:302–306

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

    Bishara S. Atiyeh

  2. Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

    Amir E. Ibrahim & Saad A. Dibo

Authors
  1. Bishara S. Atiyeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Amir E. Ibrahim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Saad A. Dibo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bishara S. Atiyeh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Atiyeh, B.S., Ibrahim, A.E. & Dibo, S.A. Cosmetic Mesotherapy: Between Scientific Evidence, Science Fiction, and Lucrative Business. Aesth Plast Surg 32, 842–849 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9195-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9195-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation