Dr. Simon Ourian, Medical Director of Epione, Beverly Hills, knows all about it. “Every day I have patients and friends asking my opinion on the best weight loss program, treatment, or various diets” he says. “Most of all they want to lose fat and reduce cellulite. I believe a combination of mesotherapy and eating properly is the way to go, both in terms of safety and success. Fortunately at Epione you can have both.” Mesotherapy is a series of injections of microscopic quantities of homeopathic agents, pharmaceuticals, natural plant extracts, agents and vitamins into the skin. The doctor selects a customized formula designed to treat the condition at hand. Mesotherapy can be used to treat cellulite and reduce fat including spot reduction.
Is mesotherapy a liposuction alternative? Mesotherapy has several benefits over liposuction. Mesotherapy can be used for cellulite reduction while liposuction can often exacerbate a preexisting cellulite condition, making the cellulite more prominent, or revealing lose, sagging skin. Mesotherapy treatments often result in a smoother skin surface. Unlike liposuction, mesotherapy can also target fat reduction. Fat deposits can be flushed out of specific areas. It is not uncommon after liposuction for patients to gain weight back in other areas. What about liposuction risks and liposuction recovery? Liposuction is a surgical procedure that may require hospital admittance, general anesthesia and downtime which isn’t the case for mesotherapy. Finally, it is not uncommon that a liposuction patient may ultimately need a plastic surgeon to perform a tummy tuck to address folds of extra skin. Laser liposuction is gaining popularity but it is still surgery.
What does a mesotherapy session feel like? What are mesotherapy side effects? During a mesotherapy treatment the patient might feel a slight pinching or burning sensation. To alleviate discomfort the physician may prescribe a topical anesthetic cream. “After the session,” says Dr. Ourian, “you may experience slight bruising which resolves over one week. I may recommend oral supplements such as Arnica to speed up the healing process or a topical ointment to help decrease bruising.”
Prospective patients will want to weigh liposuction before and after photos against mesotherapy before and after photos and should also compare liposuction prices to mesotherapy costs.
“I tell to all my patients that a healthy diet low in fat is crucial to maintaining weight loss and preventing weight gain. Regular exercise will help you burn fat. If you come to my medical spa I can help you lose fat and get a jump start on your new body. At Epione we have an in-house Nutrition Specialist who will teach you how to eat healthfully and hopefully”, Dr. Ourian continues, “keep that cellulite off permanently.”