Mesotherapy for Stretch Marks

Many years of experience and detailed study of the mesotherapy technique have made it a very popular treatment in France (where it was invented) and later worldwide. Now this procedure is actively used in all leading cosmetology centers and clinics of the world, but also in traditional medicine.

Thanks to injecting special meso cocktails directly into the problem area, the method helps solve many problems related to the face and body’s aesthetic and age-related skin defects, including painful stretch marks.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Striae distensae (stretch marks) are a common skin condition in people of all ages and genders. They are caused by the rupture of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, which can happen due to various reasons:

• Rapid weight gain or loss;
• Pregnancy;
• Hormonal changes;
• Taking certain medications.

Stretch marks typically appear as pink or reddish streaks on the skin (striae rubra), but they can eventually fade to white or silvery (striae alba). Striae rubra are more responsive to the treatments than old striae alba.

Many treatments are available as stretch marks therapy, including laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. But for a radical solution to the problem, it is necessary to influence the deep subcutaneous layers, starting the regeneration process of new cells. Mesotherapy successfully copes with this challenging problem and gained trust and popularity for improving the appearance of stretch marks.

How Does Mesotherapy Work for Stretch Marks?

Mesotherapy treatment primarily produces results via the injection of a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and other substances into the skin. The intent being to stimulate collagen and elastin production, provide the dermis with a higher level of moisture, as well as saturate the cells with oxygen and nutrients. Even with just a single session, the rate of metabolism, blood circulation, and lymph flow increases noticeably. Each of the processes listed above gradually decrease the volume of fibrous tissue, leveling the skin appearance and improving its color. The doctor will individually determine the number of procedures per patient, taking into account various medical factors.

The following methods can be used to eliminate stretch marks:

• Injection mesotherapy is divided into two methods: mesopuncture, where the needle is inserted subcutaneously, almost horizontally, and mesoinjections, when the needle is inserted into the upper layer of the skin tissue but not too deeply. In this case, the syringe is held almost vertically, and traces of stretch mark injections remain on the skin in the form of red papules.
• Fractional mesotherapy (less sensitive) – injections are made directly into stretch marks.
• Non-injection mesotherapy with the help of aesthetic devices when drugs are delivered to problem areas using compressed oxygen or ultrasound.

Injection methods are more effective due to double stimulation. Mechanical disruption of nerve fibers with a needle and delivery of active components of drugs to the germinal leaf contribute to accelerated regeneration.

After that, metabolic processes start in the skin’s upper layer, stretch marks get reduced in depth and size, the skin tone improves, and pigmentation is eliminated. Minor stretch marks can be removed entirely, and deep ones are significantly reduced and cease to differ in color from the surrounding tissues.

Mesotherapy with the help of aesthetic devices is considered painless and does not leave traces of injections, but it is a more superficial stretch mark solution. It is used to remove pink stretch marks that appeared no earlier than 3-4 months ago.

Preparing for the Procedure

During the preliminary consultation, the aesthetic doctor will discuss the possibility of removing stretch marks with the help of mesotherapy, assess the patient’s skin condition, and decide what types of drugs should be chosen, how many procedures will be done, and what intervals are needed between them. All these factors are set individually, based on the patient’s clinical picture and anamnesis.

Mesotherapy for stretch marks is typically performed in 4-6 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart. The results can be seen within a few weeks of treatment, and the improvement can continue for several months after the last treatment. The effects of mesotherapy last for 6-8 months, after which preventive sessions can be scheduled to maintain the results.

Contraindications for stretch mark mesotherapy include:

• Active infections;
• Bleeding disorders;
• Allergies to any of the ingredients in the mesotherapy cocktail;
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Stretch marks can appear on all body parts – the face, lower back, chest, thighs, and stomach. The most popular stretch mark procedures are mesotherapy on the stomach, hips, and buttocks. Unfortunately, the method is not available to everyone. Thankfully, there are other alternatives, such as Belotero.

Mesotherapy Benefits

Mesotherapy for stretch marks has many advantages compared to other cosmetology procedures:

• Alternative to surgical intervention without a complex rehabilitation period;
• First positive results appear right after the first treatment, and the effect lasts quite long;
• Delivers the essential helpful substances directly to the necessary areas of the body;
• The procedure is practically painless;
• Has a minimum number of contraindications and age restrictions;
• Low probability of side effects and complications;
• Can be combined with other cosmetology procedures, which positively affects the final result of the treatment.

Side Effects of Mesotherapy for Stretch Marks

Mesotherapy is known as a safe and effective treatment for stretch marks. However, some people may experience temporary side effects such as:

• Bruising;
• Swelling;
• Redness;
• Pain at the injection sites.

These side effects are usually mild and disappear within a few days.

Conclusion

Mesotherapy for stretch marks proved to be an effective treatment for striae, especially when combined with other complementary procedures.

Yet, your patients should not expect a miracle: fresh minor pink stretch marks can be removed after 2-3 sessions, but old, white, or purple stretch marks with a fibrous tissue pattern can’t be removed by mesotherapy alone. The skin after the procedure will become more elastic and smooth, but the defects will remain.

FAQ

Which injection is best for stretch marks?

Some of the most common injections used for stretch marks include the following:

• Hyaluronic acid helps the skin to be hydrated and plump and can improve the skin condition by filling in the gaps.

• Collagen provides skin with strength and elasticity and can help repair damaged collagen fibers and improve the striae condition.

• Vitamin C is an antioxidant protecting the skin from damage and reduces stretch marks appearance by stimulating collagen production and improving skin tone.

• Peptides also stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation.

• Mesotherapy cocktails for stretch marks combine different ingredients – for example, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and plant extracts. They can be tailored to the patient’s needs and effectively treat various skin conditions, including stretch marks.

What is the best way to shrink stretch marks?

The answer will vary depending on the striae’s severity, the patient’s skin type, and their budget. However, some of the most effective solutions for stretch marks’ shrinking include:

• Laser therapy;
• Microneedling;
• Radiofrequency therapy;
• Mesotherapy.

How to improve the effect of mesotherapy?

A combination of the following methods helps to achieve the most significant effect on stretch mark removal:

• Mesotherapy and wrapping of problem areas – intervals between sessions are lengthened, and wrapping procedures are carried out professionally in salon conditions;
• Mesotherapy and lymphatic drainage massage – massage accelerates lymphatic circulation in the problem area, and the skin at the site of stretch marks softens and becomes more elastic;
• Mesotherapy and chemical peeling, with peeling performed 10-15 days before mesotherapy.

Hot and cold wraps, in combination with mesotherapy, are ineffective for removing stretch marks: they stimulate the destruction of the fatty layer but do not affect the elimination of stretch marks.