If you’ve never heard of mesotherapy, it’s a minimally invasive procedure that has been widely used in Europe for many years (it was introduced in the U.S. in the late 1990s) to reduce scar tissue and eliminate cellulite and localized fatty areas, as well as promote weight loss. The treatment involves microinjections of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and homeopathic medicines directly into the middle layer of the skin (mesoderm) to treat these specific concerns.
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UK-based skin care brand Rodial has now figured out a way to use this same type of delivery system to minimize signs of aging on the face. Enter Rodial Bee Venom Micro-Sting Patches ($110): little pads (they look like Band-Aids) that feature 350 microneedles and adhere to skin in a particular area of concern (the crow’s-feet, between the brows, under the eyes or around the mouth). As you press the pad onto your skin, you “inject” it with a cocktail of powerful anti-aging ingredients including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, retinol and pure hyaluronic acid infused with bee venom, which work to promote cellular repair and smooth and plump skin. As a result, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.
I used a pad in between my eyebrows on my “11s”, which is where I have a visible expression line that really bothers me. As I pressed it down firmly, I could hardly feel the microneedles penetrate my skin and there was no pain whatsoever. I left it on for 30 minutes (you can do 15–30 based on what you have time for, but the brand suggests 30 for the maximum effect), and when I peeled it off, there were tiny indentations left behind (they went away after a few minutes), but no redness or sensitivity at all.
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Once the marks from the patch faded, I inspected my skin in the mirror and noticed a smoother surface where it had been attached. My line didn’t disappear (you need a neuromodulator for that), but it did look a little less apparent and my skin felt really soft. The really neat thing about this product is the mesotherapy-inspired delivery system. Some creams can hardly make it past the outermost layer of skin (epidermis), but this product dives deeper, so you know you’re really getting a benefit. Plus, there’s no mess—you could apply one on a plane or at your desk. It’s that easy!
