Mesotherapy directly delivers nutrients into the mesoderm using small needles. These needles introduce substances like hyaluronic acid, vitamins, peptides, or rejuvenating active ingredients into the mid-layer of the skin, significantly improving hydration, brightness, firmness, and skin texture.

Both manual and machine mesotherapy injections have distinct advantages. The choice depends not on personal preference, but on the treatment goals, skin condition, and the practitioner's expertise. The method of delivering active ingredients, whether by hand or machine, can lead to significantly different results in terms of precision, speed, and uniformity of the treatment.

Manual mesotherapy is a traditional technique where the doctor directly controls the depth, pressure, and amount of active ingredients at each injection point. This requires finesse, a keen sense of skin thickness, and experience in treating sensitive areas.

A doctor prepares for a cosmetic mesotherapy injection. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi

Manual injection is particularly suitable for areas requiring high precision, such as around the eyes, nasolabial folds, fine wrinkles, or regions prone to bruising. When injecting by hand, the doctor can actively avoid areas with many blood vessels, especially around the eyes, adjust the depth for each specific location, and modify the dosage immediately based on skin assessment. This flexibility helps limit the risk of incorrect layer injection, reduces the chance of bruising, and enhances effectiveness in specialized rejuvenation treatments.

However, manual mesotherapy also has limitations. Its effectiveness depends on the practitioner's skill, so results may be inconsistent if the doctor lacks experience. The injection speed is often slower, especially when treating large skin areas, making the treatment duration longer compared to using a machine.

In contrast, machine mesotherapy (using a meso gun or automatic injection device) employs a mechanism of continuous needle shots with pre-set speed and depth. The primary advantage of this method is its ability to create high uniformity across the entire skin surface. Machines standardize the distance between injection points, maintaining consistent depth and speed, thereby delivering good results in treatments for hydration, skin brightening, or mild full-face rejuvenation. With a suction mode that tightens the skin surface, many machines also help reduce pain and minimize product leakage.

However, because it operates mechanically, a machine cannot be as flexibly adjusted as a doctor's hand. For curved areas like cheekbones, concave areas, or regions with many small blood vessels such as the lower eyelids, nostrils, or around the mouth, if parameters are not precisely set, the machine can cause pain, bruising, or inject the product into the wrong skin layer. This makes machine injection less optimal for areas demanding high meticulousness.

For individuals seeking to improve deeper concerns such as fine lines, thin skin, signs of aging around the eyes, or hyperpigmentation requiring precise dosage adjustment, manual injection often yields superior results. When the doctor controls the depth of each injection point, the active ingredients are delivered to the correct skin layer, optimizing their effects and minimizing side effects.

Conversely, for goals like full-face hydration, achieving glowing skin, minimizing pores, or mild skin restructuring, machine injection is a quick, even, and time-saving solution. This method is suitable for people with thicker or less sensitive skin who desire an immediate radiant and healthy look from active ingredients like low-concentration HA, vitamins, or skinboosters.

At the Department of Aesthetics, Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, both techniques can be combined within the same treatment session. The machine is used to treat large skin areas, ensuring uniformity across the entire face, after which the doctor employs manual injection to refine areas requiring high precision. This approach not only helps shorten treatment time but also ensures optimal effectiveness and a higher level of safety.

Mesotherapy is an invasive procedure that requires strict adherence to sterile protocols, the use of verified products, and a thorough skin assessment before treatment. To reduce risks such as bruising, swelling, or incorrect layer injection, patients should seek treatment at a reputable facility with a team of doctors specialized in skin aesthetics.

Doctor Be Thu Thuy, a specialist in the Department of Aesthetics, Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi.