Who wouldn't you want to dissolve all the fat off your body? With mesotherapy, now you can. Developed more than 50 years ago by French physician Dr. Michel Pistor, mesotherapy is the term used to describe a treatment that inserts very fine needles into the skin, explains Winnipig-based plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Lockwood. In Europe, mesotherapy is widely used to treat various conditions, from sports injuries to chronic pain. "In Canada and the U.S., we're chiefly using it to reduce fat - a procedure we call Lipodissolve," says Dr. Lockwood.

"Lipodissolve works by oxidizing fat and increasing cell metabolism," says Lockwood. "It can reduce the jowls, fat under the chin, or bags under the eyes. It also works well on that fatty fold between the breast and armpit that's difficult to treat with liposuction." Other areas that benefit are the abdomen, buttocks, love handles, inner thighs and the fleshy area that sags beneath your bra.

In some cases, Lipodissolve can be an alternative to mesotherapy. "After liposuction, both male and female patients can be left with a deflated look, so I won't do it on anyone over 40," he says. "With mesotherapy there's some secondary skin retraction, and I can even get good results on patients in their 70s." Lipodissolve can't treat as large an area, though, and involves one to four treatments, several weeks apart. If you maintain your weight, however, results are long lasting.

When it comes to reducing cellulite, Lockwood says that mesotherapy gives improved results in 80 to 90 per cent of patients - a similar success rate to endermologie. "But with mesotherapy you can see results right away; you can also tailor the technique to treat very finely defined cellulite, or areas that are deep like a shark's bite." Mesotherapy attacks cellulite by increasing fat oxidation - breaking down the fibrous tissue and making it more flexible. To really improve the appearance of cellulite, you'll need four to 10 treatments at least once a week apart, and to maintain results, you'll need a yearly tune-up.

What else?

Mesotherapy can also treat fine lines and wrinkles

How:  MesoLift, a form of mesotherapy, is a hyaluronic acid concoction used to "plump up the skin, smooth out wrinkles and really gives you a glow," says Lockwood

Great for: a pick-me-up a couple of weeks before a major function, such as a wedding

Recovery: The treated area can be tender for a week or two, says Dr. Lockwood. "There may be redness or a hives-like reaction for 48 hours, but this is a good thing because it encourages the treatment area to retract," says Lockwood. If the practitioner hits a blood vessel or a muscle, a tender nodule may develop and last for two or three months - but will usually go away on its own. In rare cases, an abscess or allergy to the injectible may occur.

Finding a pro:  To ensure a positive experience, check out a practitioner's credentials, training, and familiarity with the procedure.

Tip: Look for a practitioner that belongs to a mesotherapy society.

Cost: Depending on the site, mesotherapy will run you $200 to $500 per session.

Vital Vocab

Mesotherapy: using very fine needles to inject a substance containing vitamins, antioxidants, Phosphatidycholine or hyaluronic acid into the dermis to treat reduce cellulite, dissolve fat, treat fine lines and wrinkles or chronic pain.

Needlephobes

Don't like needles? Say hello to Acythderm

What is it? A non-surgical procedure that provides similar benefits to mesotherapy - without the side effects or downtime.

Dr. Lia Zigizmund says she's been getting excellent results using acthyderm to rejuvenate the face, improve hyperpigmentation, enhance breasts and reduce celllulite.

 Two-part process: "An electrical current stimulates the muscles, and opens up tiny channels to the deeper layers of the skin. Then, before the channels close up a couple of minutes later, a cocktail of therapeutic ingredients is rolled into the treatment area."

Added bonus: Normally, skin absorbs only about 10 per cent of any topical application. But with Acthyderm, those levels rise to 90 per cent, so skincare products, herbal extracts, amino acids, tissue oxygenators and hyaluronic acid can provide the maximum rejuvenative effect, and help encourage the growth of new collagen. Because muscles in the treatment area are also stimulated during the procedure, Acthyderm can help to tone the breasts and the face too.

Results: "Breast treatment is very effective - you'll see results after just one session," says Zigizmund. Six to 10 treatments are typically needed, followed by a monthly boost to maintain the effect. Some patients report a breast lift of up to 1.5 cm after completing the treatment. By using Acthyderm on the face, fine lines and wrinkles can be plumped up with a hyaluronic cocktail, and the tightening produced by stimulating the muscles creates what Zigizmund refers to as "a wonderful non-surgical facelift." "An older person will see immediate results after just one treatment. To have therapeutic results, four to six treatments are needed to allow fibroblasts to produce endogen collagen. You will need a treatment every couple of months in order to maintain results."

The background: While Acthyderm has only been available in Canadian spas since April, it's become popular with doctors and estheticians in Europe, where it was first introduced four years ago.

Medical measures: In addition to its cosmetic applications, Acthyderm has medical benefits:

• To deliver botulin toxin, which reduces chronic sweating
• To deliver a numbing agent, such as Lidocain, before collagen injections
• To improve rosacea and hyperpigmentation
• To reduce cellulite - often combining the use of Acthyderm with mesotherapy

Added bonus: "People also tell me they find their treatments very relaxing."

Before collagen injections, Acythyderm can be  used to painlessly deliver a numbing agent such as Lidocain.

Cost: A session of Acthyderm will run you between $100 to $150, depending on the problem area.