This guide focuses specifically on scalp mesotherapy for hair loss. To understand the mesotherapy technique itself (principle, mechanism of action, history), refer to the General Mesotherapy Guide.
Scalp mesotherapy is an adjuvant medical treatment, not a standalone remedy. It fits into a global approach to hair loss, generally as a complement to other treatments.
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Types of hair loss that may benefit from mesotherapy
Scalp mesotherapy may be offered in certain forms of hair loss, provided that hair follicles are still viable.
Early to moderate androgenetic alopecia: the most common form of hair loss in men and women. Mesotherapy can slow progression and improve density in stages where follicle miniaturization is not yet complete.
Diffuse telogen effluvium: temporary and reversible hair shedding, often triggered by physical or emotional stress, nutritional deficiency, or hormonal change. Mesotherapy can accelerate recovery.
Postpartum hair loss: telogen effluvium occurring 3 to 6 months after childbirth. Generally resolves spontaneously, but mesotherapy can support regrowth.
Stress- or deficiency-related shedding: when hair loss results from chronic stress or nutritional deficits (iron, B vitamins, zinc), mesotherapy may provide local support while underlying causes are corrected.
What cannot be treated: scarring alopecias (lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, cutaneous lupus), areas completely devoid of active follicles (advanced baldness), extensive alopecia areata.
A precise diagnosis of the cause of hair loss is essential before considering mesotherapy. A complete hair assessment (trichogram, trichoscopy, blood tests) helps identify patients who may benefit from the treatment.
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How mesotherapy works on the scalp
Scalp mesotherapy acts through several local mechanisms:
Support of the follicular environment: hair follicles require an optimal biochemical environment to function. Mesotherapy locally delivers nutrients, vitamins, and cofactors involved in follicular metabolism.
Possible improvement of microcirculation: blood supply to the scalp influences follicle health. Micro-injections and certain active substances may help stimulate local microcirculation.
Delivery of nutrients to existing follicles: B vitamins, amino acids, and trace elements are delivered directly into the dermis of the scalp, where hair bulbs are located.
Fundamental limitation: mesotherapy can only act on follicles that are still viable. A definitively miniaturized or destroyed follicle (a bald area for several years) cannot be reactivated by mesotherapy alone.
Products used in scalp mesotherapy
Formulations for the scalp differ from those used for the face. For the general principles of mesotherapy products, refer to the General Mesotherapy Guide.
B-complex vitamins: including biotin (B7), pantothenic acid (B5), niacin (B3). Cofactors in cellular metabolism and keratin synthesis.
Amino acids: cysteine, methionine, lysine — precursors of keratin, the structural protein of hair.
Trace elements: zinc (hormonal regulation, protein synthesis), copper (melanin formation, hair structure), magnesium.
Non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (optional): some formulations include hyaluronic acid for scalp hydration and the creation of a favorable environment.
Peptides and bioactive complexes: some preparations contain biomimetic peptides or plant extracts. Efficacy varies depending on formulations.
Pharmaceutical substances (off-label use under medical responsibility): some physicians use medicinal active ingredients in their scalp mesotherapy protocols, including minoxidil or dutasteride in injectable form. These practices fall under off-label use and are performed under the sole responsibility of the practitioner. Efficacy and safety vary according to formulations, concentrations, and protocols. Patients must be informed of this framework.
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Who is a good candidate for scalp mesotherapy?
Early diagnosis: the best results occur in patients treated early, before advanced follicular miniaturization. Hamilton–Norwood grades I to III in men, Ludwig stages I to II in women.
Active shedding phase: patients experiencing recent increase in shedding, decreased density, or hair thinning.
Patients already on or eligible for medical treatment: mesotherapy works best as a complement to foundational treatments (topical minoxidil, oral finasteride or dutasteride in men). It is generally not proposed as a standalone treatment for androgenetic alopecia.
Realistic expectations: candidates must understand that mesotherapy stabilizes and modestly improves density, but does not regrow hair on areas bald for a long time.
Areas of the scalp treated
Diffuse scalp: global treatment when shedding is diffuse (telogen effluvium, early female androgenetic alopecia).
Vertex: crown area, commonly affected in male androgenetic alopecia.
Frontal thinning: frontal area and hairline, often affected in women.
Temporal recession: temples, early sites of involvement in men.
Excluded bald areas: areas completely devoid of hair for several years (established baldness) are not treated because follicles are definitively miniaturized or absent. Mesotherapy only works where viable follicles remain.
How a scalp mesotherapy session takes place
For the general course of a mesotherapy session, refer to the General Mesotherapy Guide. Here are the specifics of scalp treatment:
Injection depth and spacing: injections are performed in the dermis of the scalp, at 2 to 4 mm depth, spaced 1 to 2 cm apart depending on technique (nappage or point-by-point).
Scalp sensitivity: pain is generally mild to moderate. The scalp is less sensitive than the face. Some patients describe tingling or pressure. A topical anesthetic may be used if necessary, though many patients do without it.
Duration: a scalp mesotherapy session lasts 15 to 30 minutes depending on the area treated.
Post-session sensations: a feeling of tightness or tenderness of the scalp for a few hours. Some patients report a mild dull ache resolving within 24 hours.
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Recommended protocol for hair loss
Initial phase: may require 6 to 10 sessions depending on the case, spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart initially, then 2 to 4 weeks apart. This phase aims to saturate the scalp with actives and stabilize shedding. The exact number of sessions is adjusted by the physician according to individual response.
Maintenance phase: one session every 1 to 3 months to maintain benefits, depending on patient needs. Without maintenance, improvement gradually regresses.
Differences according to type of hair loss:
- Androgenetic alopecia: generally longer protocols (up to 8 to 10 initial sessions), maintenance essential because the condition is chronic.
- Telogen effluvium/diffuse shedding: often shorter protocols (4 to 6 sessions may suffice), maintenance optional if the trigger has been corrected.
Men vs women: protocols are similar, but women often have diffuse shedding requiring broader scalp treatment, whereas men have targeted affected areas (vertex, temples).
Expected results
Time to onset: first effects appear after 2 to 3 months of treatment. Because the hair cycle is long (several months), results are progressive.
Reduced shedding: often the first benefit reported. Patients notice fewer hairs on the pillow, in the shower, or on the brush.
Improved hair quality: hair becomes thicker, stronger, less brittle. Shaft diameter may increase slightly.
Possible density improvement in early stages: in early-stage patients, a modest increase in density may be observed. This is not massive regrowth but improvement in coverage.
Stabilization vs regrowth: the main goal is stabilization of shedding and improved hair quality. Regrowth of new hairs is possible in areas where miniaturized but viable follicles persist, but should not be the primary expectation.
Timeline: progressive improvement over 3 to 6 months. Final evaluation is usually made after 6 months to 1 year of a complete protocol.
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What scalp mesotherapy cannot do
No regrowth on bald areas: areas bald for several years, where follicles are definitively atrophied, cannot be revascularized by mesotherapy.
No replacement for hair transplantation: if the goal is to restore significant density in bald areas, a transplant remains the only solution. Mesotherapy may complement treatment before or after transplantation but does not replace it.
No permanent cure for androgenetic alopecia: androgenetic alopecia is a chronic, progressive condition. Mesotherapy can slow progression and temporarily improve density but does not permanently stop the process. Stopping treatment leads to recurrence of shedding.
Side effects and risks specific to the scalp
Pain or tenderness: the scalp may remain sensitive for a few hours to 2 days after the session. Pain is generally mild to moderate.
Temporary increased shedding: some patients report increased shedding during the first weeks of treatment. If it occurs, this is usually short-lived.
Redness or swelling: the scalp may be mildly red or swollen immediately after the session. Resolves within hours.
Frontal edema (rare): rare complication documented in the literature, particularly with formulations containing dutasteride, minoxidil, or lidocaine. Edema appears during the first sessions and lasts 1 to 4 days. Cold compresses may be applied.
Infection: exceptional when aseptic technique is respected. Scalp abscesses have been reported in cases of inadequate hygiene.
Importance of medical setting: scalp mesotherapy must be performed by a trained physician, in a medical environment, with sterile single-use equipment and pharmaceutical-grade products.
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Specific contraindications
Active scalp disease: infection (folliculitis, ringworm), active scalp psoriasis, severe seborrheic dermatitis. Treat underlying skin disease first.
Autoimmune alopecia: alopecia areata, extensive alopecia areata. Mesotherapy is not indicated for these forms.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: precautionary avoidance due to lack of safety data.
Bleeding disorders: patients on anticoagulants or with coagulation disorders (increased bleeding risk, evaluated case by case).
Known allergies: allergy to any component of the formulation used.
Mesotherapy vs other hair treatments
Mesotherapy vs PRP (platelet-rich plasma): PRP uses the patient’s own blood, centrifuged to concentrate platelets and growth factors, then reinjected. Autologous mechanism vs exogenous actives. Literature suggests that both PRP and mesotherapy can improve hair parameters, with variable efficacy depending on protocols. Often combined. For more details, refer to the Hair PRP Guide.
Mesotherapy vs topical minoxidil: minoxidil is a reference daily topical treatment. Mesotherapy offers spaced sessions (once a month for maintenance) vs twice-daily application. Available data show no clear difference in efficacy, though some patients prefer mesotherapy for convenience.
Mesotherapy vs oral finasteride/dutasteride: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride in men, dutasteride off-label) act by blocking conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Systemic treatment vs local action. Mesotherapy does not replace these foundational treatments in androgenetic alopecia but may complement them.
Mesotherapy vs hair transplantation: transplantation permanently restores hair to bald areas by moving follicles from donor areas. Surgical, definitive treatment vs medical maintenance treatment. Mesotherapy may be proposed before transplantation (optimizing the scalp) or after (improving graft take and density of non-transplanted areas).
Positioning: mesotherapy is a complementary treatment, rarely used alone in androgenetic alopecia. It is part of a global strategy combining medical treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and, if needed, surgery.
Combination strategies
Mesotherapy + PRP: frequent combination. Some protocols alternate PRP and mesotherapy sessions; others perform them in the same visit. Possible synergy: PRP provides autologous growth factors, mesotherapy provides nutrients.
Mesotherapy + medical treatment (minoxidil, finasteride): logical combination. Medical treatment acts continuously; mesotherapy provides periodic local support. Improved compliance for some patients (spaced sessions vs daily application).
Mesotherapy + LED/laser cap: photobiomodulation devices (LED, laser helmets) stimulate cellular activity through light therapy. They may complement mesotherapy by enhancing effects.
Sequencing logic: usually, foundational medical treatments (minoxidil, finasteride) are initiated first. Mesotherapy is added if needed. PRP may alternate with mesotherapy (e.g., PRP every 3 months, mesotherapy monthly).
Price of scalp mesotherapy in Belgium
Cost varies depending on the size of the treated area and the protocol used.
Per session: 100 to 250 euros
Complete protocol (8 to 10 initial sessions): clinics often offer tiered pricing for full treatment cycles.
Factors influencing price:
- Size of treated area (full scalp vs localized zone)
- Type of product used (standard formulation vs patented complexes)
- Practitioner expertise and clinic reputation
- Inclusion of complementary techniques (trichoscopy, photographic follow-up)
Reimbursement status: aesthetic scalp mesotherapy is not reimbursed by Belgian social security or mutual insurance. Reimbursement for specific medical indications (e.g., post-chemotherapy effluvium) is exceptional and very rare. When in doubt, check with the insurer, but coverage should not be expected.
FAQ
Scalp mesotherapy can slow shedding and improve hair quality in patients treated early with still-viable follicles. It works best as a complement to foundational medical treatments. Precise medical diagnosis is essential to identify appropriate candidates.
To learn more:
→ General Mesotherapy Guide
→ Facial Mesotherapy
→ Hair PRP — Complete Guide
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