Mesotherapy for Hair Loss
There’s a new way to treat alopecia: mesotherapy for hair loss continues to grow in popularity. During this medical-aesthetic treatment, your surgeon injects active ingredients to stop hair loss. Increasing scalp microcirculation through physical stimulation is the main aim of the treatment.
Mesotherapy is really taking off in Turkey as a way of treating androgenetic alopecia. There are loads of clinics offering mesotherapy treatments all over Istanbul. You’ve got some top-notch, well-known clinics and some places that are pretty affordable. So how can you make your choice from all this great diversity? Which clinic can you trust? Let’s see how things are going there.
Does mesotherapy work for hair loss?
The use of mesotherapy as a medical technique dates back to 1952. Basically, it is the injection of essential ingredients into the mesoderm. They are:
- Vitamins of group B, A, C, E, and K
- Minerals – Calcium, Manganese, Zinc, Lodine, Copper, Iron, Potassium and Selenium
- Compounds associated with the keratin layer of the skin
- Amino acids
- Surface expanders
The nutrients in the solution will help to improve the circulation of blood to the scalp. This gives follicles the nutrients they need to grow. The injection is almost painless and there is no need for anesthesia.
Mesotherapy stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Because of this effect, we evaluate mesotherapy for hair loss because it helps to strengthen the follicles and grafts, preventing hair shedding.
Can mesotherapy regrow hair?
When considering mesotherapy for hair loss, it is hard to explain the relationship between hair regrowth and mesotherapy treatment. In a way, it is possible to say that it can help regrowth through vitamins, minerals, oils, which are all needs of hair to grow. Plus, it rationalizes the hair growth cycle and can shorten the exogen (shedding) phase. On the other hand, it may not be the best solution for every patient who suffers from baldness or thinning of the hair.
How effective is mesotherapy for hair loss?
Hair thinning, male pattern baldness or female type hair loss are no longer seen separately from mesotherapy. Many hair transplant clinics also offer mesotherapy treatments that are carried out by highly experienced surgeons. The main benefits of using mesotherapy for hair loss are as follows:
- Reduces hair fall
- Nourishes and cares for the scalp
- Minimizes downtime
- Stimulates hair growth
- Non-invasive and safe
- Improves the thickness and volume of the hair
- Improves skin elasticity
- Increase collagen
A range of cocktails containing active ingredients such as amino acids, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, mineral salts, and coenzymes that stimulate cell regeneration & revitalize your scalp.
How many mesotherapy sessions are needed for hair loss?
Your individual needs will determine the frequency of your mesotherapy sessions. For the majority, specialists perform initial series at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. After the initial mesotherapy treatment, maintenance treatments may be required every 3 to 6 months.
Around 10 sessions are usually needed, depending on the person and the severity of their diagnosis. The results last for about a year. However, maintenance sessions can prolong them. Moreover, the mesotherapy procedure is not painful, but you may experience some discomfort. This depends on your sensitivity.
In addition to mesotherapy, there are also topical solutions like hair transplant shampoos, serums and foams, that have been proven to be effective in the treatment of hair loss & androgenic alopecia.
How effective is mesotherapy for hair loss?
Hair thinning, male pattern baldness or female type hair loss are no longer seen separately from mesotherapy. Many hair transplant clinics also offer mesotherapy treatments that are carried out by highly experienced surgeons. The main benefits of using mesotherapy for hair loss are as follows:
- Reduces hair fall
- Nourishes and cares for the scalp
- Minimizes downtime
- Stimulates hair growth
- Non-invasive and safe
- Improves the thickness and volume of the hair
- Improves skin elasticity
- Increase collagen
A range of cocktails containing active ingredients such as amino acids, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, mineral salts, and coenzymes that stimulate cell regeneration & revitalize your scalp.
How many mesotherapy sessions are needed for hair loss?
Your individual needs will determine the frequency of your mesotherapy sessions. For the majority, specialists perform initial series at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. After the initial mesotherapy treatment, maintenance treatments may be required every 3 to 6 months.
Around 10 sessions are usually needed, depending on the person and the severity of their diagnosis. The results last for about a year. However, maintenance sessions can prolong them. Moreover, the mesotherapy procedure is not painful, but you may experience some discomfort. This depends on your sensitivity.
In addition to mesotherapy, there are also topical solutions like hair transplant shampoos, serums and foams, that have been proven to be effective in the treatment of hair loss & androgenic alopecia.
Which is better for hair loss: Mesotherapy or PRP?
Both are non-invasive and non-surgical hair loss treatments. They are relatively painless and contain essential nutrients for your scalp.
1. Platelet-rich plasma treatment for hair loss
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a form of regenerative medicine. It helps heal damaged skin tissue on your scalp by using the natural growth factors found in your blood cells.
Here is a list of the ingredients in platelet-rich plasma (PRP):
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
- Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)
- Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A)
- Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C)
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
- Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2)
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
- Interleukin 8 (IL-8)
- Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)
- Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1)
- Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)
- Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF)
- Endostatin
2. Mesotherapy for hair loss and thinning
The combination of the Latin words ‘meso’ and ‘therapy’ gave rise to the term mesotherapy. Similar to acupuncture, it is performed on the mid-layer of the skin using needles.
These are injected into the skin:
- B complex vitamins, vitamin C and other vitamins for skin rejuvenation and health.
- Key minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Amino acids for protein synthesis and tissue repair.
- Enzymes include hyaluronidase and collagenase to break down fat.
- Hormones including thyroxine and calcitonin.
- Plant extracts
- Anti-inflammatory and other drugs.
- Hyaluronic acid for hydration and volume.
Mesotherapy and PRP Combination
Healthcare professionals can perform the combination of PRP and mesotherapy in a hygienic environment. It is essential to observe the principles of sterility in these treatment combinations. So choose a hospital or clinic setting. Local anesthesia may help control the pain if necessary.
As the effect of PRP on wound healing is well known, it is very useful in healing scalp infections and scars caused by some types of alopecia (cicatricial alopecia). While mesotherapy helps to regenerate tissue and strengthen hair, PRP application is also effective in strengthening and nourishing hair grafts.
How much is mesotherapy for hair loss?
Among the top 5 countries that perform mesotherapy, Turkey is both successful and the most affordable one. The cost of mesotherapy in Istanbul varies between $1500 and $4000. Mesotherapy cost in Turkey varies depending on the clinic. Are the surgeons or specialists successful and recognised? Do they have adequate training? Do they have a hygienic environment? These are the questions you should consider.
How long does mesotherapy for hair last?
The effects last for 1 year in total, but since it is not a surgical hair loss treatment, you can receive meso therapy again whenever you want. You can decide how often you will receive treatment at the first consultation with your hair specialist & dermatologist. A comprehensive hair analysis will determine the most suitable treatment or treatment combinations.
If you wish, you can support the results of misotherapy with non-surgical or surgical treatments, including PRP, hair transplant surgery, follicular unit extraction, direct hair implantation, i-PRF treatment, scalp micropigmentation (hair tattooing). Mesotheraphy, which is usually applied together with hair transplantation procedures, increases the success rate by 2 times.
Is hair mesotherapy permanent?
The effect of mesotherapy injections is temporary and sessions need to be repeated within 1-1.5 years. However, as the nutrients your hair needs are transferred to your skin, it is possible to see a more permanent effect after a few applications. As your skin begins to regenerate, the results are more likely to last for many years. However, it is not a treatment that will give you results for 20+ years like hair transplants.
FAQs about Mesotherapy for Hair Loss
Mesotherapy is especially effective for non-scarring forms of hair loss like androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, and diffuse thinning.
First of all, the medical team cleans your head to reduce infection risks, and then they apply anesthetic cream if they see necessary. After that, they prepare a mesotherapy solution and inject it into the mesoderm using a fine needle. It is usually injected every 1-2 cm over the affected area of the scalp, the depth of it about 1-4 mm.
To be honest, it is not a painful treatment. It’s as painful as a pinprick. However, anesthetic cream or local anesthesia can be used for sensitive skin.
Potentially inhibits DHT dihydrotestosterone. In this way, it stops the hormone linked to hair loss.
When hair filler vs mesotherapy is evaluated, filler gives faster results than mesotherapy. However, considering the long-term effects, mesotherapy may be slightly better.
Ref. List
- Sivagnanam G. Mesotherapy – The french connection. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics. 2010;1(1):4. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-500x.64529