Hair mesotherapy

What is hair mesotherapy?

Hair mesotherapy is a procedure in which small amounts of a mixture are injected superficially into the scalp with very fine needles. Mesotherapy is the name of this method of application, not of a single product; in other words, the name alone does not tell you what is being applied.

Your doctor decides on the contents of the mixture after the examination. Before the procedure, we explain clearly what will be applied.

How do we perform it?

First, we clean your scalp. We then inject the mixture at small points across the areas determined during the examination. A session is usually short; how long it takes depends on the size of the area to be injected.

You may feel a pricking or aching sensation during the injections; how much you feel varies from person to person.

How many sessions are needed?

Mesotherapy is usually not a one-off procedure; we generally plan several sessions at intervals. After the examination, your doctor sets the number of sessions and the interval together with you.

Who do we consider it for?

When people come to us with hair loss or thinning, we discuss mesotherapy after looking at the cause of the hair loss during the examination. We usually consider it not on its own, but as an additional option alongside treatment aimed at that cause. Whether it suits you becomes clear during the examination.

Situations in which it may not be suitable

• If you have an active infection, a wound or inflammation on the scalp
• If you are allergic to any of the substances in the mixture
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• If you tend to bleed easily or take blood-thinning medication
• If the cause of the hair loss is not yet clear

In these situations, we may postpone the procedure or suggest a different approach. During the examination, be sure to tell us about the medicines you take, your allergies, and any past or ongoing illnesses; do not stop taking any medicine on your own initiative.

What is and is not known?

The evidence on mesotherapy for hair loss is limited. Most of the studies are small, and the mixtures and session plans they use differ from one another. That is why there is not yet any consensus on which mixture, at what intervals and for whom, might make a difference. Few studies have looked at long-term results.

It is not certain that there will be a difference after the procedure; results vary from person to person, and some people may see no noticeable change. Seeing any possible difference also takes time, and how long this takes is not the same for everyone. We talk openly during the examination about what you can expect. At follow-up appointments, we assess the condition of your hair and decide together with you whether to continue the procedure.

Can it replace a hair transplant?

No. Mesotherapy is not a substitute for a hair transplant; it is not an option for bald areas where no hair follicles remain. For these areas, we consider a hair transplant; whether you are suitable for one becomes clear during the examination. Nor does mesotherapy replace treatment aimed at the cause of the hair loss. You can also consult a dermatologist about the treatment options.

With some people who are planning a hair transplant or have already had one, we may discuss mesotherapy as an additional option; it is not a required part of a hair transplant. It is also unclear whether it makes any additional difference when used alongside a transplant. Your doctor decides after the examination whether it will be done, and when.

After the procedure

After the procedure, you may notice redness, mild swelling, small bruises or tenderness at the injection points; some people may also have a temporary headache. How long these last varies from person to person. Rarely, unwanted effects such as an allergic reaction or infection may also occur.

We give you written instructions on washing your hair, exercise and daily care. Always follow those instructions rather than the general information on this page. Contact us if redness, swelling or pain keeps getting worse, if there is any discharge from the injection points, if you develop a fever, or if anything else unexpected happens.

Frequently asked questions