Mesotherapy or Botox: which is better in the fight against signs of aging and skin aging

Injections of meso-cocktails and botulinum toxin are aimed at prolonging youth. They are expensive and quite painful, so you can’t go wrong with your choice. How do you know which procedure is right for you? Is it possible to combine them? What happens if you do mesotherapy after Botox?

Mesotherapy is the introduction under the skin of cocktails of vitamins, nutrients, and plant extracts. After such hydration and nourishment, the face simply glows with youth, freshness, and health.

Botox works on a different principle. It is based on small doses of botulinum toxin poison. It paralyzes facial muscles, relaxing and smoothing problem areas: forehead, bridge of the nose, outer corners of the eyes.

Since the drugs work on different principles, cosmetologists do not rule out their simultaneous administration to different areas of the face. However, such a load on the body often causes complications.

It is much better to take the courses separately from each other. In this case, you can monitor the reaction to certain substances and identify individual intolerance.

What is Botox

The name of the drug Botox is inextricably linked with the deadly disease botulism. However, botulinum therapy is a case where poison works for good.

Botox is produced by clostridia, which cause a dangerous disease.

In the laboratory, these bacteria are first grown and then inactivated (killed). Within reasonable limits, the resulting neurotoxin does not pose a threat to human health, but at the same time retains its properties. The principle of action of Botox is based on them.

In the laboratory, the synthesized botulinum toxin is purified and diluted with auxiliary components to reduce the toxicity of the drug.

How it works

The peculiarity of neurotoxins is their negative effect on nerve cells. However, in some cases, these substances may also be beneficial. Botulinum toxin is one typical example. It temporarily blocks nerve impulses, relaxing muscles and preventing them from contracting. The skin in this area is smoothed out and not stretched, which helps smooth out wrinkles.

Botulinum toxin does not affect blood circulation and does not provoke complete muscle dysfunction. Over time, their activity is restored, so if necessary, the procedure is repeated. To prevent Botox from causing harm, it must be injected in a minimal amount. Injections should be done by a doctor with a higher education who is well versed in the features of facial anatomy.

By the way. In addition to Botox itself, botulinum toxin is included in other drugs: Dysport, Xeomin, Lantox. All of them belong to the group of muscle relaxants - drugs that reduce muscle tone.

Application and effectiveness

There are several myths associated with Botox. Some of them relate to the scope of use of the drug. It is believed that it is suitable for lip augmentation, skin rejuvenation, and also for changing facial features. None of this is true.

By smoothing the skin, Botox visually makes the skin more youthful, eliminating the first signs of aging. However, it does not affect the condition of the epidermis.

The only function of botulinum toxin is partial and temporary paralysis (relaxation) of muscles. This property makes it possible to use the substance in several directions:

• to combat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating);
• in the treatment of various muscle spasms;
• for the correction of strabismus;
• with muscle hypertonicity;
• and in cosmetology - to smooth out facial wrinkles on the forehead and nose, around the eyes and mouth, between the eyebrows and in the neck and décolleté area.

After injections, you can safely express your emotions - the skin will not gather in folds. The effect occurs a few days after the procedure and lasts for 3–6 months. Next, repeated botulinum therapy is required.

An overdose of the drug is considered dangerous to health. In addition, a large amount of the substance creates an unnatural effect: the face looks like a mask without emotions. It happens that it is even difficult for a person to smile widely or wrinkle his forehead.

Contraindications

Botulinum therapy is absolutely prohibited for serious health problems:

• severe somatic illnesses (diseases affecting internal organs);
• bleeding disorders;
• myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness);
• problems related to endocrinology;
• chronic lung diseases;
• drooping soft tissues of the face;
• individual intolerance to the drug.

There is also a list of relative contraindications that have been relevant for a certain time. For example, this includes pregnancy and lactation, as well as acute viral and respiratory illnesses, menstruation, insensitivity to Botox caused by the presence of antibodies in the body, and inflammatory processes on the face.

Also, the procedure is not performed while taking antibiotics, tranquilizers, or medications that prevent the formation of blood clots, affect blood clotting, and relieve pain of any etiology.

Attention! It is prohibited to administer Botox less than 3 months after facial plastic surgery. If you have undergone deep or medium peeling, skin resurfacing, injections are allowed a month after these procedures.

Negative result

The most common side effects after botulinum therapy:

• Drooping of the eyebrows due to excessive relaxation of the forehead muscles.
• Temporary spasm of the eyelids due to incorrectly selected dosage for the correction of crow's feet.
• Asymmetry of facial features. Occurs due to a violation of the ratio of the administered drug to opposite sides of the face.
• Hematomas and subcutaneous hemorrhages appear due to rough technique.
• Articulation disorders develop when the medication is injected excessively into the area above the upper lip, chin and lower jaw.

What is mesotherapy

The skin needs nutrition and hydration, and not always even high-quality, expensive cosmetics can satisfy these needs. It happens that creams, serums and other care products used at home do not produce the desired result. In this case, mesotherapy can come to the rescue.

How it works

The peculiarity of the procedure is the use of a multi-component cocktail, which refreshes and rejuvenates the skin, and also fights various defects of the epidermis.

The composition of the drug is selected individually, taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s skin and the problems that need to be solved. Typically, a mesotherapy cocktail consists of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

A common component of medicinal mixtures is hyaluronic acid, which is known for its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties. Popular drugs in this category: DMAE, Filorga, Mezovarton, etc.

The choice of solution for mesotherapy depends on the area in which the injections are performed, the existing defects, as well as the type of skin.

The selected drug is injected under the skin to a shallow depth - up to 0.6 mm. The doctor does this manually, using a thin and short needle, or using a mesoinjector - a special device that allows you to accurately dose the amount of mesotherapy cocktail and the depth of its introduction. Thanks to this technology, nutrients are delivered directly to the problem area. They are used sparingly over several months, gradually improving the condition and quality of the epidermis.

Clinics and salons also offer mesotherapy without injections. Therapeutic cocktails are delivered under the skin using ultrasound, electrical impulses, etc. At home, the use of mesoscooters (dermarollers) is popular.

Application and effectiveness

Facial mesotherapy is used in the following situations:

• bruises, bags under the eyes;
• uneven skin color;
• dark spots;
• wrinkles;
• dryness or excessive oiliness, flabbiness of the epidermis;
• rosacea;
• acne and post-acne;
• enlarged pores;
• dehydration of the epidermis;
• changes in the oval of the face in the chin area, etc.

Mesotherapy is also effective for hair loss, cellulite, and stretch marks. To obtain a pronounced result on the face or body, one procedure is not enough. A course of several sessions is required, usually from 4 to 10. The exact number depends on the condition of the skin and existing problems. The interval between procedures is 7–10 days.

The effect is noticeable within a few days after mesotherapy, and in the future it intensifies. This is due to the fact that therapeutic cocktails trigger the production of elastin and collagen. Therefore, the results of the injections last for about a year, and with proper skin care – for 2.

By the way. Mesothreads are also used for rejuvenation and face lifting. The effect of the procedure is compared to Botox injections. Threads are introduced into the skin to refresh and smooth the epidermis and correct the contour of the face.

Contraindications

Mesotherapy should not be performed on patients who:

• have inflamed acne or skin diseases;
• there was a relapse of herpes;
• increased body temperature, including due to a viral illness or cold;
• there are any inflammations on the face;
• there is a tendency to keloid scars;
• an allergy to any component of the mesotherapy cocktail has been identified;
• history of epilepsy, hemophilia or diabetes mellitus;
• there are problems with the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, etc.

You cannot do mesotherapy while carrying a baby and while breastfeeding. The procedure is not recommended immediately after chemical peels.

What results do you get after biorevitalization?

The goals of biorevitalization are to restore and maintain normal skin structure. After a correctly performed procedure or course of procedures, the skin becomes more elastic, dense and clean, capillaries are no longer visible on it. By increasing its turgor and elasticity, small static wrinkles (including those caused by aging and weakening of the skin) are smoothed out, and pigment spots may disappear or become less noticeable.

Previously, only injections of hyaluronic acid preparations were used to obtain this effect. Today, many methods are used for skin biorevitalization, often in some ways similar to classical injections, but sometimes radically different from them.

For example, today the following procedures can be called biorevitalization:

• Injections of complex preparations, which in addition to hyaluronic acid also include vitamins, amino acids and various other components that affect the condition of the skin;
• Non-injection introduction of biorevitalizants into the skin using iontophoresis, laser phoresis, magnetophoresis, cryogenic therapy, ultraphonophoresis and others.

In modern cosmetology, all types of procedures for non-injection administration of biorevitalizants are also called biorevitalization.

The goal of all these methods is to saturate the skin with hyaluronic acid and stimulate the activity and proliferation of fibroblasts. Hyaluronic acid ensures skin turgor and maintenance (or restoration) of its normal structure, primarily the three-dimensional spatial matrix of cells and intercellular substance. Fibroblasts produce collagen and elastin proteins, which ensure normal skin firmness, elasticity, ability to withstand stress and recover from wrinkling.

If you want to learn more about non-injection biorevitalization methods, watch the video below:

Simply put, all biorevitalization methods provide similar effects:

• Partial elimination of static and gravitational wrinkles;
• Removing dents on the skin;
• Elimination of the capillary network;
• Elimination of sagging skin;
• Reducing the severity of age spots;
• Increasing the firmness and elasticity of the skin, its “lushness” and fullness.

On a note

It is important to understand that Botox eliminates dynamic wrinkles more effectively, quickly and usually more completely than biorevitalization removes static ones. With equal professionalism of the cosmetologist and the quality of the procedures, wrinkles disappear completely after using Botox, and after biorevitalization they often only decrease in depth and severity.

Botulinum therapy eliminates dynamic wrinkles almost completely.

The choice of one of several biorevitalization methods is carried out in order to increase the safety of procedures or the speed of obtaining the desired effect within a budget acceptable to the client.

On a note

It may seem that biorevitalization and mesotherapy are the same thing. Indeed, it is difficult to draw a strict line between these terms due to their rather loose interpretation and use. However, mesotherapy usually refers to any injection techniques, often not related to skin regeneration - for example, carried out to combat cellulite or treat hair. In fact, biorevitalization is a special case of mesotherapy.

It is also useful to read: Botox or hyaluronic acid injections: which is better?

Similarities and differences between drugs

According to cosmetologists, there is no point in comparing Botox and mesotherapy. They are designed to solve different problems. These procedures have very few common features:

• method of administration: injection. However, mesotherapy drugs can be delivered to the desired areas of the skin without injections, but this will not work with Botox;
• long lasting result;
• presence of contraindications. And although they differ in many ways for mesotherapy and botox, there are still common points: pregnancy, lactation, inflammation on the face, etc.;
• the need for skin care after the procedure.

Despite this, the difference between Botox and mesotherapy is very significant:

1. Botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle, meso cocktails are injected under the skin.
2. In the first case, the doctor administers one drug, in the second, a set of several components that are selected individually.
3. The goal of botulinum therapy is to relax muscles, therefore in aesthetic medicine it is practiced only to smooth out facial wrinkles. The scope of mesotherapy is much wider. Unlike Botox, the procedure improves the condition of the epidermis and starts the process of collagen and elastin synthesis.
4. Botulinum toxin is injected once, if necessary, repeating the injection after several months. Mesotherapy is immediately performed in a course.
5. The patient pays for each session. Therefore, 1 injection of Botox is cheaper than several injections of meso-cocktails.
6. In cosmetology, purified botulinum toxin is used, which does not harm health. However, it is still considered dangerous in overdose.
7. Mesotherapy is recommended after 25 years, and Botox after 30. In some cases, adjustments to age limits are possible, but only for medical reasons.

Both procedures are fraught with complications. To minimize risks, you should contact a trusted clinic and an experienced doctor.

Prices for botulinum therapy and hyaluronic acid injections

On average, the cost of biorevitalization is higher than botulinum therapy. This is mainly due to the fact that products with hyaluronic acid are injected over a larger area, and when injected, into a greater number of points than botulinum toxin preparations. As a result, the consumption of the drug is higher, each session requires more working time of the doctor, and therefore the procedure turns out to be more expensive.

Hyaluronic acid injections are administered into a larger number of points, so the cost of this procedure exceeds the cost of botulinum therapy.

Thus, the average price of a botulinum therapy session in Moscow clinics is 3,500-4,000 rubles, taking into account the fact that some patients receive 2-4 injections per procedure to eliminate only one wrinkle, while others are injected with significantly more product. The average cost of a biorevitalization procedure in Moscow clinics is 9200-9600 rubles.

Prices for drugs vary to the same extent, and the proportions here are reversed: if the minimum bottle of Botox costs about 9,000-10,000 rubles, then a package of, for example, Juvederm Hydrate solution costs 4,000 rubles. However, if a bottle of Botox is enough for several dozen injections (and usually for several patients), then a package of the drug for biorevitalization is enough for a maximum of one procedure.

It is important to note this nuance: the effect of biorevitalization is usually less noticeable than the effect of Botox. If after botulinum therapy, very noticeable expression wrinkles completely disappear within 3-4 days, then after mesotherapy with hyaluronic acid such radical changes do not occur. The skin after biorevitalization looks refreshed, smoother and more elastic, but this is noticeable only upon close examination. The effect of botulinum therapy is literally striking.

By the way, it is just as clearly noticeable when the effect of Botox injections wears off. But the disappearance of the result of biorevitalization occurs less clearly.

In general, choosing between Botox and biorevitalization is not entirely correct. A more competent approach is to consult a cosmetologist and tell him which cosmetic defects bother you most. And the specialist will already advise which procedure to prefer in a particular case.

Botox or hyaluronic acid - what's the difference? Expert comments

What to choose

Given the differences between the drugs, such a formulation of the question may not seem entirely correct. Botox will not rejuvenate the skin, will not eliminate pigmentation, will not cure acne or moisturize the epidermis.

It is only effective against wrinkles, especially on the forehead and around the eyes. Mesotherapy is multifunctional: it generally improves the condition of the skin, including smoothing out small wrinkles.

The individual preferences of patients play a significant role in the choice of service. Some people find it easier to get one injection than to visit a cosmetologist weekly. It's not only faster, but also cheaper. Still, it is better for the doctor to choose the procedure for the patient.

For young women, a specialist will most likely recommend mesotherapy, since it is undesirable to inject Botox before the age of 30.

Why is there no result?

The lack of results can be explained by one of the following reasons:

• Failure to follow medical recommendations after injections.
• The patient's age is over 65 years. In some cases, due to severely reduced muscle tone.

Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):

When skin folds or creases are caused not by tension, but by weakening of the facial muscles, further sagging of the skin is observed after botulinum toxin injection. That is why consultation with a specialist is necessary before the procedure.

• The drug is not able to have the desired effect in the permissible concentration.
• Individual immunity/resistance to botulinum toxin.
• Illiterate administration or incorrect choice of dosage.

Buyanov Sergey Yurievich (Expert Doctor):

In some cases, the individual anatomical features of the face are of great importance. The fact is that not all facial muscles are constant, that is, in some people they are not developed or are completely absent. In such cases, botulinum toxin injections will have no effect.

How to combine procedures

Since Botox and mesotherapy work differently, they can be performed simultaneously. But this is allowed only when correction of different areas on the face is required. If it is necessary to make injections in the same area, the procedures should be separated in time, maintaining an interval of several days. As a rule, Botox is injected first, and then mesotherapy is done. The final action plan is approved by the doctor.

Also, salons and clinics offer a relatively new service called mesobotox. This does not mean that to carry out the procedure, the doctor mixes Botox and meso-cocktail in one syringe. The composition of the injections is the same - botulinum toxin, but it is injected according to the principle of mesotherapy to a shallow depth. Mesobotox smoothes out fine wrinkles on the face, neck and décolleté, which cannot always be eliminated during regular botulinum therapy. The procedure is suitable for women 35–55 years old.

How to prolong the effect

It is important to follow the basic recommendations of cosmetologists. Firstly, this will avoid unpleasant consequences. Secondly, it will help maintain the results longer.

Avoid excessive physical activity. In people with well-developed muscles, the results of botulinum therapy, in principle, disappear faster, and the administered dose should be higher.

Do not “pin up” small doses in the intervals between full procedures. Periodic administration of the toxin in small doses leads to the production of antibodies that destroy it. As a result, Botox stops working completely.

Limit visits to baths, saunas, and solariums. If you take any medications on an ongoing basis, you should inform your doctor in advance. It may turn out that botulinum therapy is not compatible with your medications.

Rules of behavior after injections

In the first 3 days you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
• Avoid hot baths, baths or saunas.
• Do not visit the solarium or sunbathe under the sun's rays.
• Avoid physical activity.
• Do not take tetracycline antibiotics. muscle relaxants, some analgesics, B vitamins.
• Do not massage the muscles into which the injection was made.

Opinion of cosmetologists

When choosing a particular drug, cosmetologists focus on many factors. Botox is often used for the skin around the eyes. Experts note that it is difficult to choose a good meso cocktail for this zone.

But carrying out botulinum therapy has its own professional nuances.

When performing any procedure, it is important to contact an experienced, qualified specialist. Botox is injected by doctors and plastic surgeons, while mesotherapy is often performed by nurses with specialized education.

Each area on the face requires its own preparation. For example, the author of this review uses the new mesobotox technique to eliminate wrinkles around the mouth.

The effectiveness of injections

Botox injections into the neck and décolleté area allow you to achieve the desired results in a short period of time. Compared to other anti-aging procedures, injections with botulinum toxin serum have the following advantages:

• provide pronounced efficiency;
• absolutely painless;
• practically do not cause adverse reactions.

Moreover, the guaranteed visible result of Botox is quite durable. This is also due to the fact that the cervical muscle structures are less active than, for example, the muscles in the face, so the effect remains for 6-8, or even 10 months.

Patient reviews

Since Botox injections affect muscles, this procedure must be treated with extreme caution. For example, the author of this review experienced discomfort after the procedure.

At the same time, many patients note the effectiveness of drugs for botulinum therapy.

According to this woman, Botox is not a panacea for wrinkles, but its use can smooth out the skin, and therefore visually rejuvenate it due to this effect.

Mesotherapy also has its opponents and supporters. The author of this review was pleased with the results of using the drug DMAE.

This woman underwent mesotherapy with the drug Mezolife. Among the disadvantages, she notes the need to undergo a full course of sessions to achieve a pronounced effect.

The mesobotox procedure finds unexpected use in some cases. The girl who wrote this review praises the technology, which helped her get rid of excessive oily skin.

When choosing a procedure, you need to listen to the doctor’s opinion, but at the same time sensibly evaluate his judgment. Commenting on the question of a 25-year-old forum visitor about what is better at her age - Botox or mesotherapy, this woman believes that the specialist is giving deliberately incorrect recommendations.

Finding a really good, experienced and qualified doctor is not very easy. Rely on patient reviews and your own feelings during the consultation. The doctor should inspire confidence, not criticize your appearance, but help make it better.

A competent specialist will not only choose the appropriate procedure, but also perform the injections correctly. The risk of side effects and complications in the case of a high-level professional will be insignificant, but the effect will be maximum.

Which procedure is safer?

In terms of its safety, frequency of side effects and the likelihood of undesirable consequences, botulinum therapy is comparable to classical injection biorevitalization. At the same time, non-injection methods of administering hyaluronic acid and complex biorevitalizants are more gentle than Botox injections.

So, both after Botox injections and after injections of hyaluronic acid preparations, the development of swelling, bruises, bumps and lumps at the sites of skin punctures is considered normal. These adverse events usually disappear without a trace after 3-4 days, and the frequency and likelihood of their development are approximately the same for both methods.

At the same time, injections of hyaluronic acid and complex preparations based on it are more painful than injections of Botox and its most popular analogues - Dysport and Xeomin. This is explained, first of all, by the size of the molecules and molecular complexes of hyaluronan: very thin needles are not suitable for its injections, the drug itself is quite viscous, and its injection into the skin is accompanied by pain. Injections of the Russian analogue of Botox, Relatox, cause approximately the same pain, which is why many cosmetologists prefer not to use it at all.

Preparations containing hyaluronic acid.

Due to the greater safety of non-injection biorevitalization methods, many patients prefer them, however, such procedures are much less effective and have a higher cost. In fact, their safety and lack of side effects are the main advantages for which patients are willing to pay money.

Review

I did biorevitalization for myself. I’ll say right away – the WOW effect. The skin is unrecognizable. The cheeks were tightened, the wrinkles on the chin were smoothed out, the crow's feet almost disappeared (you need to squeeze them out with Botox). In general, I noticed that the contour of my face became the same as when I was 20 years old - I immediately recognized myself in student photographs. Plus, peeling is required before the bio, which immediately makes the skin look better. Well, another thing is that any biorevitalization product is a filler with additives. In any case, it will fill the skin and make it more elastic. It's noticeable right away. I was injected with Aquashine, the results were good. For the next course they offer Mesovarton, but I think that the difference between them is not significant, but for safety it is better not to experiment. The trouble was that the injection points lasted for three days; on the first day the bumps remained, and they were very noticeable, as if they had been bitten by mosquitoes. The bumps went away within a day, and the spots after three days. I injected it on Friday, so on Monday I had to lubricate these points again.

Galina, Mytishchi

The non-injection technology for administering Botox is not used in practical cosmetology today.

Contraindications for both methods are identical, with the exception of quite rare specific conditions - a history of botulism, a tendency to keloid scarring, mental disorders.

As a result, the degree of safety of these methods can hardly be considered a significant factor when choosing between them.