Mesotherapy - The Science & Medicine
Mesotherapy bridges the gap between health and appearance by allowing us to safely shape bodies by eliminating unwanted fat and unsightly cellulite.
Chemical Foundations
The ingredients in the mesotherapy injections are selected from a solution of various vitamins, minerals, enzymes, plant extracts, anesthetics, medications and amino acids. The makeup of the solutions varies depending on the needs of each patient and the effect desired while allowing for a greater level of safety when issues such as drug interactions and allergies exist.
Some of the more common ingredients in a mesotherapy "cocktail" are aminophylline (used for asthma treatment), procaine and isoproteranol (used for certain heart conditions). Other compounds used to dissolve fat are phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sodium deoxycholate (DC); both occur naturally in the human body. The PC in a mesotherapy formula is derived from soy, while the DC is a bovine derivative, much like estrogen and insulin. Originally used in Europe to treat patients with plaque in their arteries, phosphatidylcholine was found to break down subcutaneous fat that is later metabolized by the body.
The combination of ingredients and medication that is injected is tailored specifically for each patient to optimize results. Many factors are taken into consideration to determine the most effective combination:
- Genetics: A patient that has had cellulite since adolescence responds differently than one who has developed cellulite more recently.
- History of Liposuction: Specific medications are added for a patient with a previous history of liposuction.
- Gender: The selection of herbal medications is determined by the gender of the patient.
- Type of Fat: The combination of vitamins is guided by the consistency of the tissue being treated. Softer fat is treated differently than firm fat.
- Age: The age of the patient is taken into consideration in order to formulate the most effective combination of ingredients.
- Medical History: The patient's past medical history is always thoroughly evaluated.
Lipogenesis & Lipolysis
Mesotherapy targets the receptors on fat cells that produce lipogenesis (fat production) and lipolysis (fat breakdown). Receptors that break down fat are known as beta receptors; those that create fat are alpha receptors. Alpha receptors are stimulated to produce fat when you ingest food containing carbohydrates, fat, amino acids, hormones or alcohol.
In both men and women, the ratio of alpha to beta receptors is generally 1:1 - above the waist. Below the waist, women have approximately 6 to 8 alpha receptors for every single beta receptor. This is the main reason women have trouble losing fat in their abdomens, buttocks and thighs: their bodies are designed to retain fat in those areas.
A medical history and physical examination is required prior to receiving treatment for weight loss and body sculpting. Based on individual requirements, the doctor selects a formula consisting of several medications that block alpha receptors and stimulate the beta receptors. Once injected into the skin, the formula slowly diffuses into the fat, and breaks it down. The number of weight loss and body sculpting treatments required varies from person to person.
To learn more about Mesotherapy, click a link below: