Mesotherapy Banned

Mesotherapy - Banned To Treat Stretch Marks

In our society's continued search for youth and beauty, people are constantly looking for the next big thing. Mesotherapy was supposed to be one of those next big things. Women, especially those who have gone through pregnancy or rapid weight gain or loss are often looking for a way to permanently get rid of stretch marks. Mesotherapy is an injection procedure that is intended to target fat cells when injected. In theory, it is supposed to induce lipolysis thus causing fat cells to die. It also claims to treat stretch marks and other skin imperfections.

For numerous decades, mesotherapy has been performed throughout Europe, South America, and more recently, the United States. The main issue with this injection procedure is that it is quite difficult to pinpoint exactly what the injections consist of. There have been numerous ingredients cited, including everything from carbon dioxide to L-carnitine. These ingredient compounds are not regulated by the FDA. Additionally, the FDA cannot regulate mesotherapy as a procedure because it is considered the jurisdiction of state rather than national boards.

In addition to criticisms amongst health officials, people who have undergone the procedure have had significant complaints about its true effectiveness. Many patients have complained of severe bruising, pain, and no significant change in the appearance of stretch marks or other imperfections.

The good news is that states are beginning to take action. Kansas became the first state to place an outright ban on the procedure. Brazil, which is often much less strict in its regulation than the United States, has banned the mesotherapy procedure. Other South American countries are following suit.

There are alternatives to mesotherapy for treatment of stretch marks. There are topical vitamin treatments and other options to prevent stretch marks, and there are also natural vitamin treatments available that include Vitamin E, cocoa butter, and olive oil to treat stretch marks once they've appeared. Take into consideration that if you already have stretch marks, you are most likely to see best results if you treat them when they are still dark purple or red in color. Faded stretch marks can still benefit from such topical treatments, but the results may take longer or not be as dramatic.