«Mesotherapy
Although mesotherapy is a very simple, safe and painless method, there is no lack of side effects and contraindications: the risk, albeit minimal, of incurring unwanted side effects should therefore always be expected.
What is mesotherapy
The side effects of mesotherapy are related to the injection method, the injected pharmaceutical substance, and the injection technique.
Incorrect injection of the drug
If the doctor does not inject the drug into the correct area or if too much of it is injected, the patient may complain of pain; similarly, too much acidic solution injected into the dermis could cause the patient an unpleasant sensation of discomfort or pain.
Choice of the injected drug
Before proceeding with mesotherapy, the doctor must make sure that the patient is not allergic or sensitive to that given substance, in order to exclude unpleasant collateral manifestations that could also result in a possible anaphylactic shock.
Although it is very rare that the drugs used in mesotherapy have severe generalized adverse effects (allergy, eczema, etc.), they can still cause simple localized effects that are absolutely reversible. In fact, following the mesotherapy treatment, it is foreseeable that wheals (edematous lesions of dermal interest that appear as slightly hinted reliefs) will form in the affected area; the wheals, however, tend to regress in a few hours.
Injection mode
An imprecise injection technique can cause the patient a feeling of discomfort, which could turn into pain if the treated area is richly vascularized. In fact, if the area of medical interest is full of blood vessels, the probability that the needle will break a capillary is very high.
In traditional mesotherapy, 6 mm needles are generally used, with a very thin diameter; the needle enters deep into the mesoderm, an area already rich in nerve endings and blood capillaries. It is very common for the tip of the needle to touch a vessel, which, even with a simple touch, breaks, causing pain.
Furthermore, the needles used in the multi-injector could cause bruising: in this regard, the single needle mesotherapy treatment is often preferred. Contraindications depend almost exclusively on the possible creation of hematomas following mesotherapy: as we have seen, hematomas depend on the vascularization of the affected area. To prevent bruising, salicylates (eg aspirin) could be administered already on the same day.
Other side effects
If the mesotherapy sessions have not been performed correctly, hypopigmented scars or, albeit rarely, hyper-pigmentation lesions may develop in the treated area; nevertheless, the signs should disappear in a few weeks.
Less frequent, but not unlikely, is the alteration of the sensitivity of the skin in the affected area: generally, this phenomenon coincides with the treatment and tends to disappear in a few minutes. In addition, some injected substances could create an irritation, redness and alter the temperature of the considered area.
Mesotherapy finds application in many areas, ranging from the simplest cellulite blemish to the most complex sports microtraumas or venous insufficiency. Mesotherapy, as we have analyzed, does not involve serious side effects, but it is good to pay attention to the contraindications related to the clinical-pathological history of the subject. In fact, mesotherapy is absolutely contraindicated if the patient is suffering from leukemia, diabetes, blood infections, HIV / AIDS, heart disease, takes heparin or if he has been treated in the past with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer. Mesotherapy is also contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation, as it could create side effects for the baby.
Advantages and disadvantages
Mesotherapy: negative effects
Helps to solve / alleviate problems such as:
Cellulite
District adiposity
Venous and lymphatic insufficiency
Micro sports trauma
Motor rehabilitation
Osteopathies and arthropathies
Dermatological affections
Facial rejuvenation
- An excessive amount of drug or its excessive acidity could cause a feeling of discomfort or pain in the patient
- If the patient is allergic to the injected substance, he may experience allergic reactions of different degrees (including anaphylactic shock)
- Possible creation of wheals, edema and hypersensitivity of the treated area
There is no pain (usually)
The multi-injector (instrument using 18 needles) could sensitize the skin and cause bruising due to capillary lacerations
Visible results from the first sessions (a minimum of 8 sessions is preferable to obtain excellent lasting results)
Possible development of hypo / hyperpigmented scars that regress in a short time
It is good to combine sport and proper nutrition
Side effects and contraindications related to the clinical-pathological picture of the patient's history
The drugs are used in low doses and exert their effect quickly, without affecting the surrounding tissues
Mesotherapy is absolutely contraindicated if the patient is suffering from leukemia, diabetes, blood infections, HIV / AIDS, heart disease, takes heparin or has been treated in the past with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer. Mesotherapy should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding
