Mesotherapy May Pose Unknown Dangers

Patients should be wary of mesotherapy until the safety and effectiveness of the procedure have been confirmed, according to a report in the April 15, 2005, issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Mesotherapy involves injecting medications and plant extracts into layers of fat and connective tissue under the skin. These injected ingredients may include agents that are used to open blood vessels, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, enzymes, nutrients, hormone replacement therapy, and nutritional supplements. The procedure is touted as a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction.

There are no published scientific studies demonstrating why or if certain ingredients work or how safe the procedure is for patients. Furthermore, there is no standardization. The types of drugs used vary from doctor to doctor as do the quantity and frequency of injections. Moreover, the procedure can cost U.S.$1,000 to $1,500 per treatment, with three to six treatments required. The warnings came from the Device & Technique Assessment Committee of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, Arlington Heights, IL, USA).

"The promise of a nonsurgical, permanent method for fat removal and body contouring is obviously very appealing, but mesotherapy is not proven to be the miracle cure to a thinner you,” observed study co-author Alan Matarasso, M.D., a member of the assessment committee. "The problem with mesotherapy is the whole technique is shrouded in mystery. Liposuction remains the only proven method to safely and permanently remove fat.”

Dr. Matarasso also noted that there is currently no information on what happens to fatty acids once they leave the targeted area or how the various ingredients affect the body's organs and other tissues. "There is simply too much we do not know about mesotherapy to say it is unquestionably safe for patients.”