Mesotherapy: From Historical Notes to Scientific Evidence and Future Prospects.

Intradermal therapy, known as mesotherapy, is a technique used to inject a drug into the surface layer of the skin. In particular, it involves the use of a short needle to deposit the drug in the dermis. The intradermal microdeposit modulates the drug's kinetics, slowing absorption and prolonging the local mechanism of action. It is successfully applied in the treatment of some forms of localized pain syndromes and other local clinical conditions. It could be suggested when a systemic drug-sparing effect is useful, when other therapies have failed (or cannot be used), and when it can synergize with other pharmacological or nonpharmacological therapies. Despite the lack of randomized clinical trials in some fields of application, a general consensus is also reached in nonpharmacological mechanism of action, the technique execution modalities, the scientific rationale to apply it in some indications, and the usefulness of the informed consent. The Italian Mesotherapy Society proposes this position paper to apply intradermal therapy based on scientific evidence and no longer on personal bias.

Preliminary randomized controlled trial of antiaging effects of l-ascorbic acid applied in combination with no-needle and microneedle mesotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The epidermis is keratinized stratified squamous epithelium covered by hydro-lipid barrier. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant which protects skin from oxidative damage and rejuvenates photo-aged skin. There are different options of improving active substance penetration through the stratum corneum of the epidermis. One of them is noneedle mesotherapy which is a non-invasive rejuvenation technique involving electric pulses, electroporation, and ultrasounds. The use of these physicals factors results in deeper penetration of active ingredients. The other one is micro-needle mesotherapy which is nonsurgical therapy, which could cause the controlled inflammation. Micro channels are formed by needles during the skin puncture, that facilitate penetration of the active ingredients. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of L-ascorbic acid applied in combination with no-needle and micro-needle mesotherapy in anti-aging therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 17 healthy volunteers, 2.5 ml of serum containing 20% L-ascorbic acid with hydrate from strawberries was used topically in every of 4 treatments. No-needle mesotherapy was applied on the left half of the face while microneedle mesotherapy in combination with the same serum was performed on the right half of face. RESULTS: In vivo studies confirmed the effectiveness of both methods. CONCLUSION: The impact of active substance on skin firmness and elasticity as well as the degree of hydration and skin tone was more efficient after micro-needle mesotherapy.

Evaluation of mesotherapy as a transdermal drug delivery tool.

BACKGROUND: There has been no research about the exact mechanism of transdermal drug delivery during mesotherapy. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether the commercial mesogun can be an appropriate technique for a transdermal drug delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We injected blue ink into the polyurethane foam or pig skin with three types of mesotherapy using a commercial mesogun, or local made intradermal injector, or a manual injection of syringe. To assess the internal pressure of the cylinder and drug delivery time, we designed the evaluation setup using a needle tip pressure transducer. RESULT: All types of injectors induced adequate penetration of blue ink into the polyurethane foam without backflow. In the pig skin, blue ink leaked out rapidly with the backward movement of the needle in the commercial mesogun in contrast to the local made injector or the manual injection of syringe. When the time for backward movement of the syringe approaches 1000 ms, the cylinder pressure of the syringe is saturated at around 25 mmHg which can be translated into the dermal pressure of the pig skin. CONCLUSION: There should be sufficient time between the insertion and withdrawal of the needle of injector for the adequate transdermal drug delivery and it must be considered for mesotherapy.

The Effect of Microneedle Thickness on Pain During Minimally Invasive Facial Procedures: A Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive procedures are becoming increasingly popular because they require minimal downtime and are effective for achieving a more youthful appearance. The choice of needle for minimally invasive procedures can be a major factor in the patient's comfort level, which in turn affects the physician's comfort level. OBJECTIVES: In this comparative study, the authors assessed levels of pain and bruising after participants were injected with 30-gauge or 33-gauge (G) microneedles, which are commonly used for minimally invasive injection procedures. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers were recruited for this prospective study. Eight injection points (4 on each side of the face) were determined for each patient. All participants received injections of saline with both microneedles in a randomized, blinded fashion. Levels of pain and bruising were assessed and analyzed for significance. RESULTS: The highest level of pain was in the malar region, and the lowest level was in the glabella. Although all pain scores were lower for the 33-G microneedle, the difference was significant only for the forehead. Because most minimally invasive procedures require multiple injections during the same sitting, the overall procedure was evaluated as well. Assessment of the multiple-injection process demonstrated a significant difference in pain level, favoring the 33-G needle. Although the difference in bruising was not statistically significant between the 2 needles, the degree of bruising was lower with the 33-G needle. CONCLUSIONS: For procedures that involve multiple injections to the face (such as mesotherapy and injection of botulinum toxin A), thinner needles result in less pain, making the overall experience more comfortable for the patient and the physician. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

A mesoterapia melhora a amplitude articular em pacientes com tendinite do manguito rotador / Mesotherapy improves range of motion in patients with rotator cuff tendinitis

Há evidências publicadas sobre o efeito da mesoterapia para as doenças inflamatórias do ombro. Objetivo: Avaliar o ganho de amplitude de movimento (ADM) em pacientes com tendinopatia do manguito rotador tratados com mesoterapia. Uma série retrospectiva de casos conduzida a partir de prontuários médicos. Um serviço ambulatorial de reabilitação e ortopedia. População: 145 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de tendinopatia do manguito rotador, com limitação da amplitude de movimento ativa. Método: Os sujeitos do estudo foram tratados com mesoterapia entre 1995 e 2008, a mesclas foram selecionadas de acordo com o perfil do paciente e sua tolerância. O efeito sobre a ADM foi qualificado como "sem melhora" ou "com melhora". A melhora da sintomatologia foi correlacionada com a idade, duração dos sintomas e drogas usadas na mesoterapia. A realização concomitante de fisioterapia também foi correlacionada com o desfecho. Os efeitos adversos foram avaliados sistematicamente. Resultados: 117 pacientes (80,7%) apresentaram melhor objetiva da ADM ou a dor. O resultado não foi influenciado pela idade, duração dos sintomas ou pela realização concomitante de fisioterapia. Apenas efeitos adversos menores foram observados. Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que a mesoterapia pode ser eficaz no tratamento da tendinopatia do manguito rotador, seja pela melhora da dor, ADM ou função global do membro superior. O impacto clínico deste estudo é que a mesoterapia pode ser associada ao tratamento fisioterapêutico padrão para melhorar ADM e dor na tendinopatia do manguito rotador.

There is published evidence on the effect of mesotherapy for inflammatory shoulder diseases. Objective: Evaluate the gain in range of motion (ROM) in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy treated with mesotherapy. A retrospective series of cases conducted from medical records. Location: an outpatient rehabilitation and orthopedic service. 145 patients with clinical diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinopathy, with limited active range of motion. Method: The study subjects were treated with mesotherapy between 1995 and 2008, the blends were selected according to the patient's profile and tolerance. The effect on the ROM was qualified as "not improved" or "improved". The improvement in symptomatology was correlated to age, duration of symptoms, and drugs used in the mesotherapy. The concomitant application of physical therapy was also correlated with the result. The adverse effects were evaluated systematically. Results: 117 patients (80.7%) presented objective improvement of ROM or of pain. The result was not influenced by age, duration of symptoms, or by the concomitant application of physical therapy. Only smaller adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: This study suggests that mesotherapy can be efficient in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy, for the improvement of pain, ROM, or global functioning of the upper limb. The clinical impact of this study is that mesotherapy can be associated with the standard physical therapy treatment to improve ROM and pain in rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Treatment of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis with intralesional injection of meglumine antimoniate: comparison of conventional technique with mesotherapy gun.

BACKGROUND: The gold standard treatment of Old World leishmaniasis, a common tropical parasitic infestation, is intralesional meglumine antimoniate injection. Mesotherapy is a new minimally invasive method of administration of variable substances to the skin. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of the efficacy and adverse effects of treatment of leishmaniasis with intralesional injection of meglumine antimoniate using conventional method and mesotherapy method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients with proven leishmaniasis were recruited and randomly treated by one of the two methods, either by conventional injection or by mesotherapy administration weekly. Lesion characteristics were evaluated at every treatment session as well as 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after cessation of treatment. RESULTS: The improvement in lesions was similar in both groups, while it was noted sooner in mesotherapy group with less amount of drug usage (P = 0.005 and 0.016 respectively). Also, patients treated with mesotherapy experienced less pain severity (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Mesotherapy is a safe and effective method of meglumine antimoniate injection for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis and is less painful.