Everything You Need to Know About Mesotherapy for Hair

 Does your hair seem thinner or more fragile than before? Are you noticing more hair loss than usual? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone! 

In fact, hair and scalp issues associated with hair loss are a real concern among both women and men, but luckily, there are solutions! 

If you’re looking for a way to revitalize your hair and scalp health, hair mesotherapy might be a good option to consider. 

This non-surgical treatment injects vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into the scalp, potentially stimulating hair growth and improving overall hair health. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about this treatment, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hair mesotherapy, including how it works, its effects, and what to expect during and after the procedure. 

What Is Hair Mesotherapy? 

Hair mesotherapy is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment that addresses a wide variety of hair issues by enriching the scalp with the elements necessary for hair growth and development. 

The treatment method involves injecting a mixture of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients directly into the middle layer of the scalp, called “mesoderm”, hence the name of the treatment. 

The specific ingredients used in a mesotherapy injection are usually tailored to address your individual hair needs, such as hair loss, thinning, or scalp dryness. We’ll discuss both these hair issues and the type of ingredients used in mesotherapy later in this guide. 

While mesotherapy might sound like a novel treatment for hair, it has actually been around since the 1950s when it was introduced by Dr Michel Pistor, a highly decorated French physician. 

One thing to note here is that mesotherapy isn’t only for hair, as the same procedure can aim to revitalize and rejuvenate when applied to facial skin. 

How Does Hair Mesotherapy Work? 

While the exact mechanism(s) of how mesotherapy works are still being studied, a combination of several methods is thought to be how it works. 

Hair mesotherapy targets hair growth and development by potentially creating a more favorable environment for your hair follicles. 

The main idea here is that it directly injects the necessary nutrients deep into the scalp to make them more accessible to hair follicles. This allows it to bypass the digestive system which may break these ingredients down. 

Additionally, the micro-injections made to deliver these nutrients are thought to improve blood circulation in the scalp, similar to how acupuncture works.  

This helps deliver more oxygen and essential nutrients to the scalp, which also enhances the quality and growth of hair follicles. 

How Much Does Hair Mesotherapy Cost? 

The cost of mesotherapy can vary significantly depending on where you live. For instance, a typical session in the U.S. may start from $300 to $600 and up to $3,000. 

Other factors that might affect the overall price of the therapy include the type of mesotherapy cocktail used, the number of sessions necessary, and the clinic where you’re doing the therapy. 

Keep in mind that mesotherapy is a cosmetic procedure, so it’s rarely covered by insurance policies, so you’ll typically have to pay for it completely out of pocket. 

How Long Do Hair Mesotherapy Sessions Take? 

Ideally, mesotherapy sessions shouldn’t take long, as most of them last around 15 to 30 minutes. 

The duration typically varies depending on the size of the treatment area and the injection method used. The experience of the practitioner also makes a lot of difference. 

Mesotherapy usually involves several sessions to provide its full effect, which usually extends up to 3 months with 1 or 2 sessions per week. 

While the injection process itself is relatively quick, there might be additional time involved during your appointment for consultation, preparation, numbing, etc. 

Applications of Hair Mesotherapy 

One of the most popular indications of hair mesotherapy is hair restoration as well as treating hair loss and thinning.  

However, hair mesotherapy can also be used to address a variety of other hair-related purposes and problems, such as: 

• Improving overall hair quality 

• Hair thinning  

• Dandruff  

• Scalp dryness  

• Excessive sebum production (seborrhea) 

Is Mesotherapy Effective for Hair Health and Hair Loss? 

The effectiveness of hair mesotherapy for hair health and loss is a topic of ongoing research and debate, with some studies showing promising results and others lacking conclusive evidence. 

For instance, this 2022 systematic review showed some positive results. It assessed the effectiveness of the treatment by reviewing the results of more than 336 studies performed on a total of 527 individuals (men and women). 

The overall result of the review is that the groups that used mesotherapy showed a noticeable improvement in the quality and number of hair follicles after treatment, which makes it a promising treatment for pattern hair loss. 

Another study that also showed the effectiveness of mesotherapy in treating hair loss was conducted in 2023 by several researchers from Canada and Italy. The results of this study show statistically significant improvement in hair growth rate following mesotherapy. 

Other studies also show that mesotherapy is a perfect complementary treatment when combined with other solutions for hair loss. Including studies that show its effectiveness with Minoxidil 5% and Dutasteride. 

That being said, some studies believe that the current evidence on the effectiveness of mesotherapy isn’t enough as there’s a lack of controlled studies to prove the treatment’s efficacy. 

Mesotherapy Treatment Options 

Mesotherapy is a highly versatile and personalized treatment method. In fact, it involves a wide variety of techniques, including different types of injections as well as methods of injection.  

In the following section, we’ll help you find out more about each of these variations, so you can pick the one that suits your needs: 

Types of Mesotherapy Cocktails 

The special mixture or solution injected in mesotherapy sessions is known as a cocktail. These cocktails come in various compositions with different purposes, but they can be classified under two main types. Here’s a quick look at each one of them: 

Allopathic Cocktails 

This type of cocktail is meant to directly provide the nourishment necessary to the hair, helping it grow and overcome hair loss.  

The main characteristic of allopathic cocktails is that they provide a relatively quick effect, so you can enjoy a noticeable difference after as little as a single session.  

However, they also fade away quickly, so you’ll need to reapply the treatment to maintain its effect. 

The most common ingredients in this cocktail are vitamins and minerals as well as collagen and elastin that give hair follicles a healthy look. To speed up the effects of these injections, vasodilators are added to the mix. 

Homeopathic Cocktails 

Homeopathic mixes aim to offer a longer-lasting quality to the hair by making the effects more gradual and stimulating of hair follicles to encourage them to heal themselves. 

These cocktails achieve this effect by avoiding any synthetic ingredients and relying mainly on plant-based nutrients.  

Since these homeopathic cocktails perform indirectly, their effects may take some time to manifest. 

Methods of Injection 

The mesotherapy cocktail is introduced into the scalp through injection. However, there are two different techniques to do this. Here are the differences between the two. 

Manual Injection 

Manual injection is the most common technique used during mesotherapy. This one uses syringes with extremely tiny needles specifically designed for the procedure. 

As the name suggests, in this method, the medical professional injects the content of the syringe into the mesoderm of the scalp manually. 

This technique requires a lot of control and precision when it comes to placement. The depth of the injection is also important because it must be in the middle layer of the skin. 

The main advantage of this method is that it’s the least painful method, although the need for extra precision costs extra time. 

Mesotherapy gun 

The mesotherapy gun, also known as “mesogun”, is a handheld device designed specifically to administer mesotherapy injection 

The device includes a syringe with an adjustable injection needle, that lets the healthcare professional pick the required depth. 

As you can see, this saves a lot of time and speeds up the mesotherapy session significantly while still allowing for customized control. 

However, since it rapidly inserts multiple needles at the same time, it can be a little more painful than manual injection. 

Additionally, the faster injection makes it prone to cause minor scalp injuries if you’re not careful, so it requires more expertise from the healthcare professional. 

A Brief Overview of the Treatment Procedure 

Now that you know more about mesotherapy and its types, here’s a brief overview of the mesotherapy procedure to help you prepare for it: 

Consultation 

This is the initial step where you discuss your hair concerns, desired outcomes, and medical history with a qualified healthcare professional or mesotherapy specialist. 

They will examine your scalp and hair to determine the right type of treatment for you. While you may try mesotherapy at home using meso-rollers, there’s no evidence that it provides the same efficacy as the one done in clinics or beauty salons. 

Preparation and Numbing 

Before the treatment starts, your scalp will be cleansed to remove any dirt or oil that may affect the performance of the injection. 

Depending on your pain tolerance and the type of injection used, a topical anesthetic cream might be applied to numb the treatment area. 

Injection 

The chosen injection method (syringe or mesotherapy gun) will be used to deliver the customized mesotherapy cocktail into the mesoderm of your scalp. 

The healthcare professional will target specific injection points where hair is falling off or requires nourishment. 

Post-Treatment Care 

After the treatment, you’ll receive instructions on caring for your scalp after the procedure, especially the first time you’re doing it. 

These might include a variety of recommendations to maintain your results and protect you from complications, such as: 

• Avoid showering and shampooing for specific periods 

• Minimize sun exposure 

• Don’t expose your scalp to extreme heat  

• Use gentle hair products until the microinjection wounds heal 

• Avoid medications and compounds that stimulate blood flow 

• Allowing the skin to heal completely before massaging the scalp or treating it with derma rollers. 

How Long Does Mesotherapy Effects Last? 

Mesotherapy effects last around 10 to 18 months after you complete your treatment, depending on the type of cocktail used and your responsiveness to treatment. 

After that, you’ll need to do a touch-up or maintenance session once every 3 to 6 months to maintain your results. This should be enough to prevent the effects of the mesotherapy from fading away gradually. 

Pros and Cons of Mesotherapy for Hair 

Mesotherapy has its standout features and also some downsides that make it not for everybody. Here’s a brief look at the two: 

Pros 

• Direct Delivery: Mesotherapy allows you to inject nutrients directly into the hair follicles. This ensures maximum absorption compared to topical treatments and systematic dietary supplements. 

• Fewer Side Effects: Since mesotherapy involves direct injection into the scalp, it minimizes the side effects on other parts of the body, unlike treatments like finasteride. 

• Long-Lasting Results: While significant results take time, the improvement in hair health and appearance might be noticeable even a year after the final session.  

• Improves Hair Quality: Many treatments out there focus specifically on increasing hair growth regardless of the quality of the hair. However, mesotherapy cocktails contain plenty of nutrients, which improves the overall quality of the follicles. 

Cons 

• Costly: As previously established, mesotherapy requires several sessions to provide decent results, which can add up over time and set you back hundreds of dollars every year. 

• Painful: Although the pain is minimal and managed with local numbing agents, minor discomfort is still an issue up to a few hours after the procedure. The treatment is also associated with a few side effects like skin edema and itching, but these can also be managed. 

• Inconsistent Results: While promising, results can still vary from one individual to another, and there’s no guarantee that hair loss will be completely reversed. 

• Not for Everyone: Mesotherapy is contraindicated for some people for safety. It should be generally avoided in the case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation, infections, tumors, and hormonal disorders. 

Final Thoughts: Is Mesotherapy Worth It? 

There you have it! A brief guide that walks you through everything you need to know about mesotherapy. 

As you can see, the treatment is ideal for those who are patient enough to see the treatment to the end, as several studies suggest that it’s fairly effective in improving the quality of hair. 

However, it’s also critical that you seek the advice of a healthcare professional to consider your medical history, needs, and expectations.