Fast facts

Mesotherapy


What it is: Mesotherapy is also known as injection lipolysis, and often associated with a procedure called Lipodissolve. Mesotherapy consists of chemical injections into the skin or fatty tissue, typically for the purpose of dissolving fat cells.  


What it addresses:  Various conditions can be treated by methods of mesotherapy:

- Unwanted fat
- Cellulite
- Keloid scars
- Joint pain


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Question

Is mesotherapy FDA approved?

The doctor I saw said mesotherapy is FDA approved and showed me pictures of people who looked so much younger when they had it injected in their faces. They really looked good!

I am considering the treatment and want to know, is it true that mesotherapy is FDA approved?


Asked by: St. Louis, MO.

Answers (3)

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful
1
July 12, 2008

Mesotherapy is not FDA-approved

Kris M. Reddy, MD
Kris M. Reddy, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

Mesotherapy is not FDA approved, although legal as the ingredients are approved.

We would definitely not recommend the use of this procedure as no conclusive study exists of its safety or efficacy. Even among its proponents, there is agreement that mesotherapy is often misused as some practitioners tend to use it for large areas, which is definitely beyond the scope of the procedure.

2
April 9, 2008

No reason to believe mesotherapy is safe

Richard Baxter, MD
Richard Baxter, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

Mesotherapy in the U.S. is most often promoted for cellulite treatment or fat reduction, but it is quite controversial. It is not FDA-approved, but legal because the ingredients are, though for completely different and unrelated procedures.

There are some studies ongoing, but the most recent published data has not provided any reason to think that it is safe and effective.

3
March 29, 2008

Mesotherapy is not FDA approved

Mark Jewell, M.D.
Mark Jewell, M.D.
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

There is no conclusive, authoritative information that exists (such as unbiased, peer-reviewed clinical studies that meets the standards of an accepted medical journal) that measures both the efficacy and safety of mesotherapy.

Some doctors will tell you mesotherapy is FDA approved because the individual ingredients that are compounded (mixed together) to make mesotherapy may be FDA approved for unrelated purposes, but the FDA hasn't approved mixing and then injecting these ingredients.

Mesotherapy or any compounded substance, whether it is comprised of medications, supplements or both, is unsafe and should not be injected into your body for any reason.

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