Hair mesotherapy is an injection to treat hair loss and improve hair growth. There’s a growing demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures [1], and mesotherapy fits perfectly with that trend.
Current research on mesotherapy is promising — one systematic review involving 253 men and 273 women showed positive effects in pattern hair loss in all studies, with no significant side effects [2]. In this article, we’ll explore:
Hair mesotherapy involves injecting therapeutic ingredients into areas of hair loss or desired growth. The word mesotherapy comes from the Greek word “meso”, meaning middle.
This refers to the middle layer of skin, the mesodermal layer, where these injections are delivered. Common ingredients used in hair mesotherapy include [3]:
Hair mesotherapy works by delivering active hair growth-promoting ingredients directly into the scalp. A fine needle or mesotherapy gun delivers small doses of the chosen ingredient into the layer just below the surface of the skin.
Using injections into the target area (rather than topical solutions) means the active ingredient does not have to pass the skin barrier. Unlike topical solutions or oral tablets, injections bring the active ingredient into immediate, direct contact with the hair follicles. This means you can use lower doses with longer intervals between sessions to achieve the same effects, which may lead to better treatment outcomes [3].
Hair mesotherapy is non-surgical and offers minimal downtime, making it preferable to surgical options for many people. Generally, it takes several weeks to see visible results. 8-12 sessions are usually required for the best outcomes, depending on the ingredient(s) used [3].
The exact way this can improve hair growth depends on the ingredients delivered. Minoxidil, for example, may prolong hair’s growth phase and increase blood flow to the scalp [4].
Other options include dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blockers such as Finasteride and Dutasteride. These reduce levels of DHT (the main hormone responsible for symptoms of male pattern baldness), preventing further hair shedding and encouraging hair regrowth.
Before a hair mesotherapy session, your practitioner will assess your scalp and look at the nature of your hair loss. They’ll discuss your medical history and choose the best treatment to fit your needs. They will then sterilise the injection site on your scalp to make sure it’s clean before starting treatment.
The treatment itself is usually quick and relatively painless. Your practitioner may offer you a numbing cream to help with any discomfort. They’ll use needles or a mesotherapy gun to inject small doses of the chosen ingredient into areas of hair loss on your scalp.
After the procedure, you may have a headache, scalp tightness, or itching, but these symptoms are usually mild and resolve completely within a few days [3]. You can go back to your normal activities straight away, although it’s usually best to avoid washing your hair or using styling products for a day or two after your treatment session.
You nearly always need more than one session for noticeable results. Typically you return for 8 to 12 sessions spaced at gradually longer intervals (between 1–4 weeks initially, sometimes progressing to 3 months) [3]. You should start to notice less hair shedding and increased hair density over several months.
The cost of hair mesotherapy varies significantly across the UK. Prices depend on the practitioner’s experience level, clinic location, and the type of ingredient being injected.
Generally, the cost for a single session ranges from £150–£400. Some clinics offer mesotherapy packages, which make it cheaper to book multiple sessions in one go.
Androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) is mesotherapy’s most commonly treated hair loss condition by far. In a systematic review involving 19 studies of hair mesotherapy, 18 of these explored mesotherapy as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia.
Various ingredients can be administered via mesotherapy as a treatment for pattern baldness. According to a systematic review, these mesotherapy ingredients gave clinically significant improvements for people with androgenetic alopecia [3]:
Telogen effluvium can also be treated by mesotherapy, though further research on this topic is needed. Telogen effluvium is one of the most common types of non-scarring hair loss. It’s usually reversible and is often a type of stress-related hair loss [5].
A small study involving 24 patients with telogen effluvium found that both botulinum toxin A and multivitamins were effective as a mesotherapy treatment, with minimal side effects [6]. However, this was a very small study, and further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Hair mesotherapy could potentially help with other conditions like alopecia areata that often respond to Minoxidil [7] or other common mesotherapy ingredients. However, there have been no specific studies to establish this yet.
Research suggests that side effects from hair mesotherapy are generally mild and resolve within a few days [3]. Nine of the 19 studies in a systematic review on hair mesotherapy did not report any adverse effects [3].
The most common side effects include:
However, as with all medical procedures, mesotherapy comes with some risks. Other side effects you could potentially experience include [3]:
Hair transplants are considered the gold standard treatment for male pattern baldness. They can also treat genetic hair loss in women, severe or irreversible cases of traction alopecia, hair loss from trauma or burns, and can even repair a bad hair transplant.
Unlike hair mesotherapy, a hair transplant is permanent. This means you can enjoy the results of your hair transplant after 10 years or more.
There are two main types of hair transplant: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT). Both involve moving healthy hair follicles from areas of hair growth to areas of hair loss, but the harvesting method differs between the two.
Individual follicular units are harvested with FUE using a micro-punch tool, which leaves minimal scarring. With FUT, a strip of skin is harvested from the hair transplant donor area, which contains many follicular units.
This means more hair follicles can be moved in one go with FUT, but it leaves a hair transplant scar at the donor area, which may be visible if you cut your hair very short. Learn more about the differences between FUE and FUT below.
Hair mesotherapy is one of many treatments for hair loss conditions. Research suggests mesotherapy may work better for hair loss when combined with other treatments, such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) [8]. Alternatives to hair mesotherapy include:
Are you experiencing the first signs of thinning and balding? Or maybe your hair shedding is more significant, and you’re noticing a lot more hair loss in the shower than normal?
No matter where you are in your hair loss journey, the Wimpole Clinic can help. Our expert team of trichologists and consultants can identify why your hair is falling out using diagnostic trichology tests.
When you are diagnosed, your hair doctor may recommend treatment options such as PRP, hair loss medication, or LLLT, particularly if you’re in the early stages of hair loss.
If your hair loss is more advanced, you may be eligible for a natural-looking hair transplant. If you’re a good candidate for a hair transplant, you’ll work with some of the best hair transplant surgeons in the UK at the Wimpole Clinic.
Ready to learn how we can help you get the hair you want? Book a consultation at your nearest clinic location today.
A small retrospective study from 2024 compared PRP with stem cell based mesotherapy as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia over six months. Both treatments significantly improved symptoms, but their effectiveness depended on the specific product used [9]. This was also a small study involving only 72 participants, so further research is needed.
Other types of mesotherapy, such as homeopathic solutions, are less studied and may be less effective [10]. PRP is more widely studied than these types of mesotherapy and so may be a safer option.
The answer to this depends on the active ingredients used as part of hair mesotherapy. Many protocols recommend follow-up sessions every three months after the initial treatment period [3]. What is certain is that the effects won’t be permanent, and ongoing treatment will be needed to maintain results.
As tempting as it is to save some money with DIY mesotherapy treatment, we strongly recommend against trying mesotherapy at home. This procedure involves injections, which should be performed by a trained clinician with the appropriate training to minimise any risk of infection or damage.
Yes, mesotherapy is legal in the UK. It’s classed as a low-risk procedure and can legally be performed by any practitioner as long as they meet the required standards [11] and have appropriate training.
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