Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is the general term for delivering small volumes of active substances into the skin with fine needles. On this site, “mesotherapy” means hyaluronic acid (HA) based injection protocols aimed at skin quality: hydration, elasticity, fine lines and tone. These protocols do not add volume and do not reshape the face; they are also known as “skin boosters”.

This page sets out the general framework for mesotherapy treatments. Here I explain what mesotherapy does and does not do, its two main classes, which product family corresponds to which concern, and how sessions are planned. Product pages go deeper into their own brand; the general questions live here.

What is mesotherapy and what does it do?

Part of skin ageing is volume loss; another part is the skin itself becoming thinner, drier and less elastic. Mesotherapy targets the second group. HA, amino acid, vitamin or peptide mixtures placed in the dermis increase the skin’s water-holding capacity; mixtures containing amino acids and vitamins aim to support fibroblast activity and collagen production. A recent meta-analysis of amino-acid-enriched HA products reports improvement in wrinkle severity and dermal thickness; the authors note that the findings need to be confirmed in larger prospective studies ¹.

The right expectation: skin that is better hydrated, looks fuller and reflects light better. Volume, contour or correction of visible sagging is not what mesotherapy does.

Two classes: biorevitalisation and bioremodelling

I divide the products on this site into two classes, based on composition and injection technique:

Both are HA-based and neither adds volume. The difference is that biorevitalisation nourishes the skin, while bioremodelling reorganises its connective tissue. They can be used sequentially in the same patient.

Mesotherapy, fillers and biostimulators: where the lines are

These three are often confused. In short:

• Fillers (cross-linked HA): shaping, volume, contour. Mesotherapy does not do this. I do not recommend mesotherapy as a substitute for filler; if the need is volume, mesotherapy will not meet it and the patient will not be satisfied.
• Biostimulators (CaHA, PLLA, PDLLA): firmness and tissue support through collagen stimulation. Details on the liquid facelift and biostimulators page.
• Polynucleotides (salmon DNA): support for tissue repair in thin skin, loss of elasticity and superficial scarring. Details on the salmon DNA (polynucleotide) treatment page.

HA-based mesotherapies target hydration and surface quality; CaHA- and PLLA-based biostimulators target firmness through collagen stimulation. One does not replace the other; when needed they are planned in sequence. I decide which comes first at the consultation.

The decision depends on the goal: if hydration and surface glow are the main need, HA-based mesotherapy; if thin skin, loss of elasticity and superficial scarring are the main need, polynucleotide treatment comes to the fore. They do not replace each other and are planned in sequence when needed. The final choice is made at consultation.

For shaping and volume, see filler treatments.

Does “lifting mesotherapy” actually lift?

The term describes bioremodelling-class products applied with few-point techniques. The right expectation is “tightening and support”; it does not mechanically move tissue upwards the way surgery or thread lifts do. In mild laxity the difference is noticeable; in visible sagging it is not enough on its own.

When tightening is the request, the decision depends on the degree of sagging: if mild laxity and loss of skin quality dominate, bioremodelling HA comes forward; if tissue support and marked firmness are needed, a biostimulator comes forward. In advanced sagging neither replaces a surgical assessment. The final choice is made at the consultation.

Product families: which one for which concern?

The table below is informational; it is not a ranking. I decide which product to use at the consultation, based on what the skin needs. I work with products in this class that have traceability and a certificate of analysis.

Approach by area

Face. All product families are used on the face. If the concern is hydration and tone, biorevitalisation comes forward; if it is mild laxity, bioremodelling.

Eye area. The thinnest-skinned area of the face. The choice depends on the cause:

Around the eyes the decision depends on the cause: if hollowing dominates, mesotherapy is not enough and filler is discussed; if thin skin, dark circles and mild puffiness dominate, HA–amino acid biorevitalisers or polynucleotide products come forward. The product is chosen at the consultation.

Neck and décolletage. Horizontal lines and loss of surface quality respond well to mesotherapy. My approach is on the neck and décolletage rejuvenation page.

Back of the hands. Dryness and thinning are addressed with mesotherapy; volume loss with other methods. The decision logic is on the hand rejuvenation page.

Sessions, onset and duration

The general frame is below; product-specific values are on each product page:

• Biorevitalisation: 2–4 sessions, 2–3 weeks apart. The effect builds over the sessions; maintenance is planned every 3–6 months depending on the product.
• Bioremodelling: 2 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart. The effect becomes visible after the second session and lasts roughly 6–9 months; maintenance is a single session.
• The first thing noticed is hydration and glow, usually within the first week. Tightening and tissue change develop over weeks.

These intervals are a guide; I plan the maintenance session as the change in the skin fades, not by the calendar. Fewer procedures, more conversation: if the standard protocol delivers, I do not recommend extra sessions.

Procedure and pain management

The procedure takes 15–20 minutes; with Profhilo’s 5-point technique, 10–15 minutes is enough.

Topical anaesthetic cream is standard. Because I am an anaesthesiologist, I treat pain management as a separate part of the procedure. Diffuse micro-injections cause mild pricking; bolus techniques a brief pressure sensation. Both are well tolerated.

Aftercare

First 24 hours

• No make-up on the treated area
• No hot showers, sauna, hammam or steam
• Avoid heavy exercise
• No alcohol
• Do not sleep face-down (facial treatments)
• Do not touch the injection points; do not squeeze or massage the bumps

First 48 hours

• Avoid direct and prolonged sun exposure
• No facial massage, skincare treatments or energy-based device treatments

Expected findings Small bumps (papules) at the injection points lasting 12–24 hours are expected and show that the product has settled in the skin. Mild swelling, tenderness or bruising lasting a few days may occur. Around the eyes, bruising is slightly more likely than on the rest of the face.

Safety and anatomy

Products in this class contain non-cross-linked HA and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if ever needed. This is the main difference from biostimulators. Temporary bumps, mild swelling and bruising can occur at injection points. Around the eyes the vascular network is dense; nano-needles or a cannula lower the chance of bruising. In few-point techniques the injection points are chosen according to the course of nerves and vessels.

Because allergic reactions can occur rarely, treatments are carried out under medical supervision.

Who is not suitable

Treatment is not performed, or is postponed, in the following situations:

• Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area
• Autoimmune disease in an active phase
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Known hypersensitivity to the product components
• Uncontrolled chronic illness
• Untreated bleeding disorder or unregulated anticoagulant use

Without being a medical contraindication, I also consider expectation and treatment to be mismatched in these situations:

• People expecting a marked and immediate change from a single session
• People whose actual need is volume — mesotherapy does not add volume, and filler is assessed
• People with advanced tissue laxity who require surgical assessment — no mesotherapy replaces a thread lift or surgery
• People with under-eye hollowing — mesotherapy does not fill a hollow

Suitability is determined by consultation in every case.

Pricing

Under the applicable regulations, price information cannot be published on our website. The cost of a treatment depends on the product used, the technique chosen and the extent of the treatment. You can call the clinic for detailed information.

Frequently asked questions

What is mesotherapy?

Delivering small volumes of active substances into the skin with fine needles. On this site it means HA-based protocols aimed at skin quality: hydration, elasticity, fine lines and tone. It does not add volume.

What is the difference between biorevitalisation and bioremodelling?

Biorevitalisation places HA with amino acids, vitamins or peptides across the face with diffuse micro-injections; it nourishes the skin. Bioremodelling places high-concentration non-cross-linked HA as boluses at a few points; it reorganises the skin’s connective tissue. Neither adds volume.

What is the difference between mesotherapy and filler?

Filler uses cross-linked HA to shape and add volume, and stays where it is placed. Mesotherapy uses non-cross-linked HA to improve skin quality, and spreads through the tissue. I do not recommend mesotherapy to a patient who needs volume.

What is the difference between mesotherapy and a biostimulator?

HA-based mesotherapies target hydration and surface quality; CaHA- and PLLA-based biostimulators target firmness through collagen stimulation. One does not replace the other; when needed they are planned in sequence.

Does lifting mesotherapy actually lift?

It does not lift mechanically. Bioremodelling products provide tightening and support in mild to moderate laxity. In visible sagging they do not replace a thread lift or surgical assessment.

How many mesotherapy sessions are needed, and when do I see results?

Biorevitalisation: 2–4 sessions, 2–3 weeks apart. Bioremodelling: 2 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart. Hydration and glow are usually noticed in the first week; tightening develops over weeks.

How long does mesotherapy last?

With bioremodelling products the effect lasts roughly 6–9 months and maintenance is a single session; with biorevitalisation, maintenance is planned every 3–6 months depending on the product. These intervals are a guide; I plan maintenance by how the skin changes, not by the calendar.

Can mesotherapy be done in the same session as Botox?

Yes. Botulinum toxin targets muscle-related lines; mesotherapy targets skin quality. They work on different layers and can be planned together.

Can mesotherapy be done in summer?

Yes. It is not a procedure that removes the upper layer of the skin, like a peel or laser, so it can also be planned in summer; avoiding direct sun for the first 48 hours after treatment is enough.

From what age is mesotherapy done?

I decide by need, not by age. I do not recommend mesotherapy before skin quality has started to decline; in the twenties it is usually unnecessary.

Who is mesotherapy not suitable for?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection at the treatment site, active autoimmune disease, known hypersensitivity to the components, uncontrolled chronic illness, untreated bleeding disorder and unregulated anticoagulant use. Also, for people whose main need is volume, mesotherapy will not meet the expectation.

Can mesotherapy be dissolved?

Products in this class contain non-cross-linked HA and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed. In practice this is rarely necessary.

Planning your visit

My clinic is in Nişantaşı, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport.

For a mesotherapy treatment I suggest planning a stay of two to three days: arrival, consultation and treatment, and departure. Because mesotherapy protocols are planned as more than one session, they require more than one visit. The first session takes place in Istanbul, and we plan the schedule of the following sessions together according to your travel arrangements, with remote follow-up in between. Flying is generally appropriate 24 hours after an injectable treatment.

Consultations are conducted in English. Follow-up after you return home is arranged remotely, and I remain reachable for any questions during the period in which the result develops.

Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin — Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Diploma Registration No: 113606

Published: 2026-09-21 · Last updated: 2026-09-21 This content has been medically reviewed by Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin.

References

1. Mosteirin M, Ardila AG, Gil Calomarde R, Mariscal G. Efficacy and Safety of Amino Acid-Enriched Hyaluronic Acid in Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026;25(3):e70741. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41724989/