Plastic surgeons caution against unknown dangers of mesotherapy

If shedding unwanted pockets of fat with a series of simple injections, known as mesotherapy sounds too good to be true, it might be.

According to an American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) DATA Committee report published recently in the Society’s official medical journal, patients should be cautious about mesotherapy until the procedure’s safety and effectiveness have been confirmed.

“The promise of a non-surgical, 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,” said Alan Matarasso, MD. “The problem with mesotherapy is the whole technique is shrouded in mystery. Liposuction remains the only proven method to safely and permanently remove fat.”

Presented as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction, mesotherapy involves injecting medications and plant extracts into layers of fat and connective tissue under the skin. The injected ingredients may include agents that are used to open blood vessels, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, enzymes, nutrients, antibiotics and hormones. Mesotherapy may be used in conjunction with dietary modification, hormone replacement therapy, exercise and nutritional supplements. No drug is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in mesotherapy.

While mesotherapy has been around for decades in Europe, it has only recently been introduced in America. There are no published scientific studies demonstrating whether the effects are permanent, why or if certain ingredients work, or how safe mesotherapy is for patients. Additionally, there is no standardization in mesotherapy, so types of drugs used vary from physician to physician as do the quantity and frequency of injections.

“Plastic surgeons are constantly researching better methods to help patients achieve their desired look; however, patients’ health and safety is always foremost on our minds,” said Matarasso. “There is 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.”

Currently, liposuction is the sole method proven to safely and effectively remove fat. Mesotherapy may cost $1,000 to $1,500 per treatment with three to six treatments required. This can prove costly for patients who may not receive the desired results.

“The DATA Committee has not seen any long-term studies that would prove mesotherapy actually removes fat from the body,” said Susan Kaweski, MD, ASPS DATA Committee chair. “We need to know a lot more about this procedure before plastic surgeons can endorse mesotherapy and recommend it to patients.”

SOURCE: “Mesotherapy for Body Contouring.” Matarasso, A; Pfeifer, TM, Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation DATA Committee. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 115(5):1420-1424, April 15, 2005.