A doctor has raised concerns about a beauty treatment that seems to be becoming popular again.
Many people have been following a beauty trend for years where they get injections under their eyes to help reduce the look of wrinkles.
Mesotherapy is a treatment that has been around for many years in other countries, but it has only recently become popular in the United States.
A doctor has issued a warning about the new beauty trend (Getty Stock Image)
What is mesotherapy?
A non-surgical treatment involves a technician using tiny needles to inject a mix of vitamins and minerals just beneath the skin. This helps reduce fat and get rid of bags under the eyes.
Mesotherapy was first created in France back in 1952 to help with blood vessel and immune system issues.
Now, it's mostly advertised as a way to lose belly fat, tighten skin, and smooth out wrinkles.
Although mesotherapy can be done on any part of the body, it's especially popular for the stomach and hands. Right after the treatment, you might notice small bumps under the skin, but don't worry—they go away after a while.
Some people have said that the skin looks a bit like a reptile after the injections, and there are lots of photos and videos about it on social media, especially TikTok, which have caught a lot of people's attention.
What have doctors said about mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is often thought of as a quick and painless treatment with little recovery time. However, a doctor has raised concerns about the serious risks involved and how it might not deliver the expected results.
Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, a dermatologist from New York, shared with MailOnline: “The dangers of under-eye mesotherapy are more than just minor side effects, especially when people choose inexperienced technicians or try to do it themselves at home.
“Patients could face long-lasting bruises, serious allergic reactions, skin damage from the product entering blood vessels, or even permanent harm to their eyes.”
Many people say that every practitioner has their own special mix of fluids for mesotherapy. This means that patients might not really know what they're getting when they choose this cosmetic treatment.
The injections usually include a mix of enzymes, hormones, vitamins, and other nutrients, but some also mix in prescription medications.
Is mesotherapy regulated?
Dr. Kazlouskaya pointed out that even though mesotherapy might be allowed in some countries, the lack of regulation in the US could put patients at risk of using fake or untested products. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons does not support mesotherapy, and the FDA has not given the green light to any drugs for this treatment.
In the UK, mesotherapy isn't specifically regulated by law right now, but the government is looking into creating a new licensing system for non-surgical cosmetic treatments, which would probably cover mesotherapy.
Risks of mesotherapy include nerve and blood vessel damange, irregular skin contours, burns, and infection, Heathline reports.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram
