Glowing skin ranks high on all our beauty wish-lists. And while 'active' serums and targeted moisturisers can make a real difference to the skin, topical products can only penetrate so far.
Some might assume that traditional injectable treatments should be their next step, but while Botox and dermal fillers can enhance skin texture and facial structure, they're not necessarily going to grant a glow. Enter mesotherapy – the closest thing you’ll get to transforming the quality of your skin by way of targeted ingredients, and the perfect stepping stone for anyone who is wary but intrigued by the world of injectables.
What is mesotherapy, and how does it work?
Mesotherapy involves lots of teeny-tiny injections of celebrated skin ingredients to promote collagen and elastin, while boosting cell metabolism. “It can improve circulation, skin texture and pigmentation,” says Dr Michael Prager, London-based cosmetic doctor. The shallow jabs can be done manually, or using a ‘meso-gun’, going beyond the subcutaneous fat as far as the dermis, where it matters.
“A typical mesotherapy cocktail contains over 40 active ingredients,” says Dr Prager. “You’ll find vitamins A, B, C, E and K, mixed with hyaluronic acid, peptides, growth factors and more.”
What can you expect in a typical treatment?
Having brought mesotherapy to the UK in the Nineties, Dr Maurice Dray (who counts Gwyneth Paltrow as a client) is one of the best experts to see for the job. His 15-minute ‘Mesolift’ therapy uses an air pressure gun to painlessly deliver micro doses through micro needles, which means it is both fast and thorough. As for his blend, it’s a well-kept industry secret, but sources say it’s a bespoke mix of vitamins, minerals, plants and plumping hyaluronic.
The procedure itself is relatively painless, requiring only a layer of numbing cream, at most, pre-treatment. “Afterwards, we like to use light therapy to help reduce inflammation,” says Dr Prager.
Is there any downtime?
Post-treatment, you can expect to see a little redness that will quickly subside.
What are the real skincare benefits?
The rewards are reaped instantly. What you get, as soon as the short-lived redness disappears, is that wonderful plumped post-facial skin that you hanker for after a spa treatment, but realistically never seem to get. And best of all, it lasts for weeks, as mesotherapy goes more than skin deep. Rather than enhancing the surface of your skin like a cream, this treatment reboots skin from the inside out for overall complexion health, meaning anyone from their late twenties especially can really reap the benefits.
“My patients notice that their skin is glowing within a few hours,” adds Dr Prager who says that repeat treatments can lead to excellent results in improving skin tone, reducing scarring and improving skin clarity.
Top 5 places to try mesotherapy
1. Sarah Chapman Skinesis Clinic
For impressive results using state of the art technology, book in for a treatment at Skinesis Clinic, founded by super facialist Sarah Chapman.
On the first appointment, which is 90 minutes, expect a double cleanse followed by a peel to exfoliate the top layer of skin, prepping it for mesotherapy. A series of micro-injections, using hyaluronic acid, vitamins and amino acids, are then administered. The final step? LED therapy to calm and soothe skin. For following treatments, which are 60 minutes, the peel step will be skipped.
For best results, a course of treatments is recommended, two-weeks apart. Course of five treatments, £1350; single treatment, £300, visit sarahchapman.com
2. Dr Joney De Souza Skin & Laser Clinic
Mesotherapy is one of the most sought-after facial treatments at the Dr Joney De Souza Skin & Laser Clinic, situated in Marylebone.
The treatment, that combines mesotherapy injections (of vitamins, amino-acids, minerals and hyaluronic acid) with LED light therapy, helps revive dull, lacklustre skin, boosting radiance and glow in just 45 minutes.
A course of six-to-eight sessions is advised every two weeks, with maintenance one-to-two times a year. One session, £450; two sessions, £750, visit drjoneydesouza.com
3. Dr Michael Prager
If you’re wary of needles (even the tiny ones used in traditional mesotherapy) but want to reap the benefits, turn your attention to transdermal mesotherapy.
Available at Dr Michael Prager’s clinic, his Lower Lift Facial targets fine lines, hyperpigmentation and jowls using electrical pulses, instead of injectables, to break down the skin’s bonds – deeply delivering hyaluronic acid to help lift and tighten. The entire treatment, which combines transderm with hydra-dermabrasion and LED therapy, is 90 minutes.
The Lower Lift Facial, £315, visit drmichaelprager.com
4. MZ Skin The Clinic
With her expert team of consultant dermatologists and top aestheticians, you know that you’ll be in good hands at Dr Maryam Zamani’s clinic.
The mesotherapy treatment takes around 30 minutes and starts with the application of an anaesthetic cream to prevent any pain. Next, using a meso gun, a series of superfine injections of vitamins, minerals and amino acids are delivered into the mesodermal layer of the skin. The results? A fresh-faced, glowing complexion.
A course of six-to-eight sessions is advised every two weeks with maintenance treatments once to twice a year. Mesotherapy, from £400, visit drmaryamzamani.com
5. Clinic Dr Dray
For a speedy session that will take no more than 15 minutes, book in for a treatment with Dr Maurice Dray, inventor of the Mesolift. His preferred school of aesthetics is "never too much of anything" – which is by far the best approach to any kind of cosmetic work.
Following an initial diagnostic exam, skin is cleansed and prepped with an anaesthetic cream before mesolift injections are administered using an air pressure gun. At the end of the treatment, a refreshing hyaluronic acid mask is applied to calm treated skin.
A course of three mesolift treatments is recommended, spaced out over two weeks. Mesolift, from £200 per session, visit drdray.co.uk
At-home alternatives to mesotherapy
