Although mesotherapy is designed to remove unwanted fat and to contour the body, the safety and effectiveness of are still unproven – and one medic is especially concerned
A dangerous new cosmetic trend which leaves people with scaly skin like reptiles has been branded dangerous by a doctor.
Mesotherapy is an alternative treatment for removing unwanted fat and body contouring. A liquid mixture of vitamins and minerals is injected under the skin with the intention to smooth and tighten wrinkles, decrease fat and banish under-eye bags.
The treatment, which can be performed anywhere on the body including the hands and stomach, is reportedly increasing in popularity, particularly in the US. However, the procedure leaves small raised bumps underneath the skin immediately after injection, giving it a honeycomb-like appearance before it settles. Some even say it makes people look “reptilian” immediately after the injections.
Dr Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, a dermatologist, said: “The risks of under-eye mesotherapy go beyond minor side effects, especially when people go to inexperienced technicians or do this at home. Patients may experience long-lasting bruising, severe allergic reactions, skin necrosis due to product placement in blood vessels, or even permanent eye damage.”
Mesotherapy is billed as a painless procedure with little recovery time. The risk of resembling a reptile is a temporary side effect but Dr Kazlouskaya’s concerns are permanent – and far more grave.
The medic, who is based in the state of New York, told MailOnline: “While mesotherapy may be legal in some other countries, the absence of US regulatory oversight means patients could be exposed to counterfeit or unverified products.”
Yet, in recent years, influencers have been sharing photos of the procedure online, and there has been speculation that celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, have used some form of the injections on various parts on their body. Aniston, 55, has yet to confirm this.
It is believed mesotherapy was developed in 1952 in France to treat blood vessel and immune system disorders, and has since been suggested as a treatment for everything from hair loss to psoriasis.
