“Your diet is a sufficient source of antioxidants, but there is evidence that by applying vitamins C and E topically you get a double whammy,” says Vicky Dondos, a hospital doctor specialising in aesthetics and co-founder of Medicetics, a London medispa (www.medicetics.com). She claims that the vitamins counteract free radicals and will protect against UV rays while the hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring substance) nourishes and hydrates the skin, making it appear plumper and fresher.

Good for? Dry skin, long-haul flights and the party season. Mesotherapy is not just for the face: a soybean and coffee injection is popular for cellulite reduction.

Ouch factor? There isn’t one, because the injections are so superficial. “I’ve had patients fall asleep while I use a meso-gun which gives 500 injections per minute,” Dr Dondos says.

Clock-watching The treatment takes 30 minutes; a course of at least three is recommended, with two weeks between appointments. Maintenance appointments need to be booked after six months, then every six months after that.

Downtime None, you can go back to work.

What to ask It’s tricky getting the injection between the third and fourth layer of skin, so check that your practitioner does the procedure frequently. Likewise, make sure that he or she is a doctor or nurse. It’s not a prescribed solution so it’s unregulated.

Cost From £95 a session, but a course or package may be cheaper.

———————————————————————————–

Further Information on Mesotherapy.

Mesotherapy has long been a popular treatment in Europe and especially in France where it is taught at Medical School and where most of the clinical research has been done.

Many people make the mistake of believing mesotherapy=fat busting injections. Mesotherapy simply comes from “meso” meaning close and therapy. Hence anything that is injected short distances into the mesoderm can be described as mesotherapy.

At Medicetics we only use vitamins and hyaluronic acid in our Mesotherapy treatments. Our Mesotherapy involves the injection of a potent cocktail of conventional or homeopathic medicines-vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and amino-acids - directly into the mesoderm (middle layer of the skin) to nourish and rejuvenate, promote production of collagen and elastin and stimulate your skin’s metabolism.

As your skin ages, circulation decreases and the resulting reduction of oxygen and nutrients hinders your body’s ability to flush out toxins. This is what drives premature ageing and causes the skin to develop an ashen appearance.

People who have had mesotherapy (or ’skin-prick nutrition’) describe their skin as looking rested, radiant, glowing and firmer.

To book an appointment call 020 7402 2033 or visit the Medicetics website.