What is mesotherapy and how does it work?
Mesotherapy delivers products intended to support skin quality through many tiny injections into the skin. The effect depends on the product and on how your skin responds to it.
In aesthetic medicine, mesotherapy usually refers to products containing non-cross-linked or lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid, amino acids, vitamins and similar ingredients. Unlike dermal fillers, they are not used to shape or add volume; they are used to support hydration and elasticity. They may be placed by hand with a fine needle, with a cannula, or at a small number of defined injection points.
You may also see the terms skin booster, biorevitalisation or injectable skin quality treatment, which describe the same broad category. Names such as the Monaco protocol, Paris glow, or 6-point and 9-point lifting are generally protocol or marketing names for particular combinations of product and technique. On these pages we explain, as neutrally as possible, what each one is and what it is not.
What can mesotherapy help with, and what can it not do?
Mesotherapy is mainly considered for dehydration, fine lines, dullness and skin texture. It is not enough on its own for marked sagging, deep wrinkles or volume loss.
Dry, tired or dull-looking skin, superficial fine lines, thin crêpey skin around the eyes and dry lips are the situations in which mesotherapy is most often considered. Changes tend to appear gradually and are usually described as more even texture and a healthier glow. The degree of change varies from person to person and cannot be predicted with certainty in advance.
Marked skin laxity, deep static wrinkles, under-eye bags, or hollowing caused by loss of bone and fat are not problems mesotherapy can solve on its own. Depending on the cause, dermal fillers, collagen stimulators, botulinum toxin, energy-based devices or surgery may be more relevant. Which approach makes sense for you is discussed openly during your consultation.
How is a product or protocol chosen?
The physician chooses according to the treatment area, skin thickness, the intended effect and whether the product is licensed in Turkey. A brand name alone is not a reason for treatment.
Products such as Profhilo, Jalupro and NCTF 135 HA take different approaches: high-concentration hybrid hyaluronic acid complexes, a combination of amino acids and hyaluronic acid, or a polyrevitalising cocktail containing hyaluronic acid. These differences do not make one product superior to another; each may be considered for different needs and different areas of the face and body.
You may also come across names such as Innea Aqua, H100 and PB Serum. For these, the composition, manufacturer and licensing status should be verified from the product documentation and traceability records before use. Protocol names usually describe a product being applied with a particular technique. Your physician should be able to explain clearly which product is being recommended for you and why.
Who may not be suitable for mesotherapy?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection or cold sores in the area, known allergy to an ingredient and some medical conditions all need assessment. In these situations treatment may be postponed or not recommended.
Elective aesthetic injections are generally postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you have active acne, eczema, infection or a cold sore in the treatment area, this should be settled first. Any previous allergic reaction to product ingredients, and any blood-thinning medicines or supplements you take, should always be mentioned at your consultation, as should certain systemic medicines such as isotretinoin.
Autoimmune conditions, poorly controlled diabetes, bleeding disorders or other recent aesthetic treatments can all affect the plan. It also matters whether your expectations match what mesotherapy can realistically achieve. Suitability is decided by the physician after reviewing your medical history and examining your skin, and sometimes the right answer is to wait or to choose a different approach.
What happens during and after a session?
After assessment and cleansing, a numbing cream may be applied and the product is placed into the planned areas with fine injections. Short-lived bumps, redness and tenderness are common afterwards.
At the first appointment your skin, previous treatments and goals are reviewed, and if treatment is appropriate a product and session plan is agreed. On the day, the skin is cleansed and disinfected, and a topical anaesthetic may be used. Injections are placed as tiny blebs or at defined points depending on the product; a session usually takes around half an hour, followed by brief observation.
You are commonly advised to avoid make-up for 24 hours, not to massage the area, and to avoid saunas, steam rooms, hammams and strenuous exercise for a day or two. Daily sun protection remains important. A typical plan consists of an initial course of a few sessions followed by maintenance intervals set according to how your skin responds.
What are the risks, and how can you stay safe?
The most common effects are bruising, swelling, redness and temporary small bumps. Less common complications include infection, allergic reaction and nodules.
Bruising, mild discomfort, redness and small bumps at the injection points usually settle within a few days. Less commonly, infection, allergic reaction, prolonged firmness or nodules can occur. As with any hyaluronic acid injection, there is a very small risk of injection into a blood vessel, which is managed through anatomical knowledge and careful technique. Increasing pain or skin colour change should be reported promptly.
For safety, the product should be licensed in Turkey and traceable, the packaging and batch number should be shared with you, and treatment should be carried out by an authorised physician in a licensed healthcare facility. Whether you are planning treatment in Şişli, Nişantaşı or elsewhere, and whether you live locally or are travelling to Istanbul, you are entitled to ask these questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is mesotherapy the same as dermal filler?
No. Fillers use denser gels to add volume and shape. Mesotherapy places small amounts of product into the skin to support skin quality rather than contour.
When will I see a difference?
Changes are usually gradual. Many people notice a difference after the first sessions, but the result is generally assessed a few weeks after the planned course is complete.
How long do the effects last?
It depends on the product, skin type, age and lifestyle. Maintenance sessions are commonly planned somewhere between a few months and a year apart; no fixed duration can be promised.
Does it hurt?
Because very fine needles are used, most people describe a mild pricking sensation. A topical anaesthetic cream can be applied to reduce discomfort.
I am visiting Istanbul. Can I fit a course of treatment into my trip?
Sometimes, depending on the product and plan. Because most courses involve several sessions weeks apart, timing and follow-up should be discussed at your consultation before you book travel.
At what age should I start mesotherapy?
There is no single right age for mesotherapy; the decision depends more on what your skin needs than on your age. Many people notice changes in skin hydration and radiance towards their thirties, and mesotherapy is often discussed around then. Later in life, it is more often the skin quality step in a plan with fillers or collagen stimulators. Treatment is for adults only.
Can men have mesotherapy?
Yes, men can have mesotherapy, and the assessment follows the same principles as for women. Male skin is usually thicker and oilier, and the beard area affects the plan, so injection points and product quantity are adjusted accordingly. Not shaving on the first day after treatment, or shaving very gently, is often advised so the injection points are not irritated.
Can mesotherapy be combined with Botox or fillers?
Yes, mesotherapy is often combined with Botox and fillers in one plan; what matters is the order and the interval. Botox targets muscle movement, filler targets volume and mesotherapy targets hydration and skin texture, so they can complement each other. Whether they are done together or days to weeks apart depends on the areas, the products and your tendency to swell and bruise.
What affects the cost of mesotherapy?
The cost of mesotherapy depends on the product used, the size of the treatment area and the number of sessions planned. A small area such as under the eyes needs less product than a plan covering the face, neck and décolletage. Whether the product is genuine, licensed and traceable also affects cost, so ask which product will be used rather than comparing prices alone.
Will my skin look worse than before if I stop mesotherapy?
No, stopping mesotherapy does not speed up skin ageing or cause a “rebound” effect. The products are gradually broken down by the body and the effect of mesotherapy fades. Any change you notice afterwards comes from your skin’s natural course with age, sun exposure and lifestyle, not from stopping treatment. Maintenance sessions can be planned for people who want to keep their results.
Sources (4)
- J Pharmacol Pharmacother (Sivagnanam G): Mesotherapy - The french connection (2010)
- Clin Plast Surg (Matarasso A, Pfeifer TM): Mesotherapy and injection lipolysis (2009)
- J Drugs Dermatol (Belmontesi M, et al.): Injectable Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid as a Skin Quality Booster: An Expert Panel Consensus (2018)
- J Cosmet Dermatol (Kerscher M, et al.): How to Treat Skin Quality: A Consensus-Based Treatment Algorithm and Expert Guidance (2025)
This content is for general information and does not replace a personal medical assessment.