Intradermotherapy: what is it for and what are the benefits?

Intradermotherapy is a type of treatment that works deeply within the skin and has various applications, including signs of aging, cellulite treatment, localized fat, alopecia, and other hair conditions, among others.

In this article, Dr. Paola Halfeld, dermatologist at Living Clinic, answers the most frequent questions, including which areas of the body can be treated, what the benefits of opting for this procedure are, among others.

What is Intradermotherapy?

Intradermotherapy involves the injection of active substances into the skin or subcutaneous region. Different compounds can be used according to the treatment goals and the area to be treated.

This procedure offers significant advantages. One of them is that it allows optimal concentrations of active substances to be obtained in the treatment area, resulting in more effective outcomes.

Another major advantage is the concentration of the active substances primarily in the treatment area, drastically reducing the risk of systemic adverse effects. This point is particularly relevant in hair treatments where growth is desired only in specific areas.

The composition of the mixtures varies and must be prescribed by the dermatologist, according to the patient’s health condition and treatment objectives.

Intradermotherapy Step by Step

Schedule an evaluation appointment

The first step in this process is to schedule a dermatology consultation, during which you can clarify all your doubts and discuss your goals and expected outcomes with the specialist. During the consultation, the dermatologist will conduct a physical examination and gather information about the patient’s health history.

Preparation for the treatment

When the session is to be performed, the body area to be treated must be cleaned to remove any components such as moisturizers or body oils. After this step, the selected active substances are applied.

During the treatment

Each session of this treatment lasts about 45 minutes, depending on the procedure’s purpose and the area being treated. During this time, the dermatologist will inject the selected active substances into the treatment area.

After the treatment

After the treatment, for a minimum period of 24 hours, you should follow some basic care instructions such as avoiding swimming pools, saunas, beaches, and places that may contain contaminants that could infect the treated area.

If the treatment was performed on the body, you should favor wearing cotton clothing and avoid tight clothes and jeans (if the treatment was done on the legs).

Additionally, it is advisable to avoid sun exposure for 48 hours following the procedure.

Despite all these precautions, it is normal to have small erythemas (redness) at the application points, as well as slight edema. However, these symptoms are temporary, lasting from a few hours (face and scalp) to a few days (body). In this case, you should consult the doctor on what to do to minimize the associated discomfort.

What is it for?

This type of treatment has been widely used in dermatology as it allows treating a wide variety of conditions related to the skin and scalp. Numerous substances can be employed in this technique, differing according to the problem and area to be treated. When the treatment is performed on the scalp, it is called capillary intradermotherapy or hair mesotherapy.

Intradermotherapy has also been used as a key component in regenerative dermatology, aiming to revitalize and regenerate skin cells through the application of substances capable of revitalizing cellular DNA. This technique can be used alone or as a “preparation” of the skin for other dermatological procedures. The goal is to achieve rejuvenated, healthier skin with a greater response capacity to the stimuli of other dermatological treatments.

Generally, intradermotherapy is indicated to address issues such as:

• Signs of aging
• Skin dehydration
• Cellulite
• Localized fat
• Skin laxity
• Scars
• Stretch marks
• Alopecia and other hair and scalp conditions

Although intradermotherapy can be beneficial for these skin conditions and pathologies, you should always follow the dermatologist’s recommendation for your particular case, as there may be other more suitable treatments.

Which body areas is it indicated for?

To solve the indicated problems, intradermotherapy can be applied to different areas of the body, including:

• Face
• Neckline
• Belly
• Area under the chin (double chin)
• Arms
• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Scalp (hair mesotherapy)

Benefits of Intradermotherapy

Besides effective and satisfactory results, this treatment has other noteworthy advantages, especially being a minimally invasive procedure with a low risk of adverse effects.

In the body, the main benefits of intradermotherapy include:

• Reduction of localized fat
• Restoration of skin tone
• Reduction of cellulite
• Treatment of scars
• Treatment of stretch marks
• A smoother and more uniform skin appearance

Results on the face are also quite noticeable, including:

• A younger appearance
• Reduction of wrinkles
• Improvement of acne scars
• Enhancement of facial contour
• More hydrated and luminous skin

It is important to note that the number of sessions and the interval between sessions will vary according to the area being treated and the type of substance used. During the consultation with the specialist, the most suitable protocol and the expected results over the course of the treatment will be discussed.

Contraindications of Intradermotherapy

There are some people for whom this type of procedure may be contraindicated. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, and patients with:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Uncontrolled heart problems
• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Thyroid dysfunctions
• Allergies to the applied substances

Schedule a consultation

It is important to consult a dermatologist to determine the best treatment for your individual needs and goals.

Schedule a consultation below and find out the best treatment for your particular case.