Mesotherapy in Sharjah

What is mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a treatment that delivers very small amounts of active ingredients into the middle layer of the skin through a series of fine, shallow injections. The name comes from the mesoderm, the layer of the developing embryo that the dermis grows from, and it describes the depth the injections aim for: just under the surface, well above the fat and muscle.

The ingredients vary with the aim. For the face, the mixture is usually built around non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid, a thin, water-attracting form that spreads through the skin to hydrate it, often combined with vitamins, amino acids or antioxidants. For the scalp, the mixture is chosen to support the skin the hair grows from. Because each injection carries only a droplet, the product works across a wide area of skin rather than in one spot.

A point few people expect: mesotherapy and dermal fillers can both contain hyaluronic acid, yet they do different jobs. A filler uses a firmer, cross-linked gel placed deeper to add volume and shape. Mesotherapy uses a fluid form spread thinly to improve the quality of the skin itself, so the face keeps its shape while the skin becomes better hydrated and more even.

Mesotherapy at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah is performed in-house by the aesthetic team.

Who needs it

Facial mesotherapy suits people whose skin looks dry, dull or tired, with fine crepey lines, a rough texture or an uneven tone, and who want the skin itself refreshed while their features stay as they are. The neck, the backs of the hands and the area around the eyes are also common treatment areas, because the skin there is thin and dehydrates easily. Long hours in air-conditioned rooms dry the skin, which is one reason skin hydration treatments are popular in the UAE.

Scalp mesotherapy is used for diffuse thinning, where hair is growing finer across the top or crown. Hair loss has many causes, so the cause is assessed first; where a medical cause such as low iron or a thyroid problem is suspected, it is investigated through dermatology alongside any treatment.

Mesotherapy sits among several skin-quality options. Chemical peels work from the surface down, skin tightening treatments address laxity, and a PRP facial uses plasma prepared from your own blood in place of a ready-made mixture. At the consultation the doctor matches the option to your skin and your goal, and several are often combined within one plan.

What happens

The session begins with photographs and a check of the area, then the skin is cleansed and disinfected. A numbing cream is applied to the face and left to take effect. The scalp is usually treated after cleansing alone, because the injections there are very shallow.

The doctor then places the injections with a very fine needle, using one of two common patterns:

• Papules: tiny raised droplets placed in a regular grid a short distance apart across the whole area.
• Nappage: a series of quick, shallow passes that leave a fine line of product just under the surface.

During the treatment you feel a series of small pricks, most noticeable over the forehead and bony areas. Afterwards the droplets show as a pattern of tiny raised dots, and they flatten as the fluid spreads through the skin. The skin is wiped clean, a soothing product is applied, and you go home the same visit.

Mesotherapy is given as a course. An initial series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart builds the effect, followed by maintenance sessions at longer intervals. The doctor sets the plan for your skin or scalp and reviews it against the photographs taken at the start.

Preparing for it

Arrive with clean skin and no make-up for facial treatment, or with freshly washed hair for scalp treatment. Tell the doctor about every medicine and supplement you take. Blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory tablets and supplements such as fish oil increase bruising; keep taking any prescribed medicine unless the doctor who prescribed it advises a change.

Mention any history of cold sores, since injections near the lips can trigger an outbreak and preventive treatment can be arranged. Tell the team if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection in the area, or have reacted to an injected product before. If you have a wedding, Eid gathering or other event coming up, book the session well ahead so any pinpoint marks have time to settle.

Afterwards

Small bumps, pinpoint marks, mild redness and occasional small bruises are normal and settle over the following days. Leave the skin free of make-up for the rest of the day, and keep your hands away from the treated area.

Skip saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools and hard exercise for a day or two, because heat and sweat irritate the injection points. In the Sharjah heat, stay in the shade and use sun protection on the face once the skin has settled. After scalp treatment, wash the hair from the next day, and wear a clean, loose headscarf or cap if you cover your hair.

Contact the hospital if a treated area becomes increasingly painful, hot or swollen, if a lump appears that grows or leaks, or if you develop a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away if your lips, tongue or throat swell or you have difficulty breathing.**

Cost and insurance

Facial mesotherapy is a cosmetic treatment, and UAE insurance plans usually exclude cosmetic procedures, so it is normally self-pay. Scalp mesotherapy for thinning hair is usually self-pay as well, although blood tests to look for a medical cause of hair loss may be covered by your plan when they are medically needed. Because mesotherapy is given as a course, ask for the cost of the full plan at your consultation. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can explain the costs on 06 599 7777.