Mesotherapy, PRP and Vitamin Skin Care: Differences and Who They Suit

Facial mesotherapy is the application of ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and hyaluronic acid to the skin with fine needles, while facial PRP is the application of platelet-rich plasma prepared from the person's own blood. Vitamin skin care is a non-injectable treatment using serums that contain vitamins and antioxidants. The main differences between the three are whether an injection is involved, the source of the ingredients and who performs the treatment.

At Max Hair, facial mesotherapy and facial PRP are performed by a doctor, while vitamin skin care is carried out by a specialist and planned with a doctor's assessment. All treatments are planned under doctor supervision at our clinic in Istanbul, Türkiye. Results vary from person to person.

What is facial mesotherapy?

Facial mesotherapy is the application of ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and hyaluronic acid to the skin with fine needles. It belongs to medical aesthetics and is performed by a doctor.

The treatment usually takes 20-30 minutes, and a topical cream may be used for comfort if needed. It is planned as a course of several sessions according to the doctor's plan, with intervals set for each person.

The hyaluronic acid used in mesotherapy is not intended to add volume as in a filler treatment; it is aimed at supplying the skin with ingredients. Mesotherapy and fillers therefore serve different purposes.

What is facial PRP and how is it prepared?

Facial PRP is the application to the skin of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from the person's own blood. A blood sample is taken, separated by centrifugation, and the platelet-rich portion is prepared for the treatment.

Including blood collection and preparation, the treatment usually takes 45-60 minutes, and a topical cream is used for comfort. A plan of several sessions is made; the intervals are set by the doctor.

What sets PRP apart from mesotherapy is that the content is prepared from the person's own blood rather than from a ready-made product. The treatment is given by injection and performed by a doctor.

What is vitamin skin care?

Vitamin skin care is a non-injectable facial treatment using serums that contain vitamins and antioxidants. It is planned for a dull, tired-looking complexion, usually takes 30-45 minutes and requires no anaesthesia.

The treatment is carried out by a specialist; the skin's condition and the suitability of the treatment are planned with a doctor's assessment. During the session the skin is cleansed, the serums are applied, and the process ends with moisturising and sun protection advice.

Unlike medical aesthetic treatments, vitamin skin care involves no injection or blood collection. It is therefore among the options that may be considered for people who prefer to avoid needles; suitability is still decided through a doctor's assessment.

What are the differences between mesotherapy, PRP and vitamin skin care?

Although all three aim to support the appearance of the skin, they are applied differently. The table below compares application characteristics only; it contains no outcome or superiority claims.

The durations in the table are general information and may vary from person to person. The number of sessions and their intervals are always set after an individual assessment.

How does the treatment process work?

Whichever method is chosen, the process starts with an assessment of the skin and medical history. The general flow is as follows:

• Doctor assessment: skin condition, medical history, current medications and expectations are discussed.
• Choosing the method and plan: the type of treatment, number of sessions and intervals are planned by the doctor.
• Preparation: the skin is cleansed; for injections a topical cream is applied if needed, and for PRP blood is taken and the plasma prepared.
• Treatment: mesotherapy and PRP are performed by a doctor, vitamin skin care by a specialist.
• Briefing and follow-up: aftercare recommendations are explained and the next session or check-up is planned.

Which treatment may be considered for which need?

Skin care and medical aesthetic treatments have different scopes, and one does not replace the other. Depending on the skin's condition, the doctor may recommend a single method or a combined plan.

The decision starts from the needs of the skin and the person's health status, not from the name of the method. The pairings below are general guidance; the doctor decides which treatment is appropriate:

• A dull, tired-looking complexion, or a preference to avoid injections: vitamin skin care may be considered.
• When ingredients such as vitamins, minerals or hyaluronic acid are planned to be applied to the skin for a dehydrated, lacklustre appearance: facial mesotherapy may be considered.
• When a treatment prepared from one's own blood is preferred over a ready-made product: facial PRP may be considered; medical history and current medications are taken into account in planning.
• Periods such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, when injections are postponed: injectable treatments are usually postponed, and skin care options are also planned in consultation with the doctor.
• When there are several needs: treatments can be considered in sequence within the same plan; the order and intervals are set by the doctor.

Who may these treatments not be suitable for?

Injectable facial mesotherapy and facial PRP may not be suitable, or may be postponed, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in case of active infection or inflammation in the treatment area, with a bleeding disorder or blood-thinning medication, and with a known allergy.

For vitamin skin care, active infection, open wounds, recent severe sunburn and certain medications are taken into account; current medications are discussed with the doctor. Suitability is always clarified by an individual doctor assessment.

What are the possible side effects, and how is the result assessed?

Temporary redness, mild swelling, bruising and tenderness may occur after facial mesotherapy and facial PRP. After vitamin skin care, temporary redness and tenderness may occur.

These signs are usually temporary; if an unexpected sign is noticed, the clinic should be informed. Individual instructions always take priority over general information.

Because mesotherapy and PRP are given as plans of several sessions, the assessment is made at follow-up appointments throughout the plan rather than after a single session. Results vary from person to person.