Is micro needling with Tessa Morlen effective for fat loss?

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Last updated: August 4, 2025View editorial policy

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Microneedling Is Not Effective for Fat Loss

Microneedling with Tessa Morlen is not an effective or recommended treatment for fat loss. There is no scientific evidence supporting microneedling as a legitimate fat reduction method, and it is not recognized in any clinical guidelines for weight management 1, 2.

Evidence-Based Weight Loss Approaches

Recommended Weight Loss Interventions

  • Comprehensive lifestyle interventions: Guidelines recommend a structured approach combining reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, creating a deficit of 500-1000 kcal/day 1, 2
  • FDA-approved medications: For patients who have failed lifestyle interventions, medications such as phentermine, orlistat, semaglutide, and tirzepatide may be appropriate 1, 2
  • Surgical options: For those with BMI ≥40 kg/m² or ≥35 kg/m² with comorbidities, bariatric surgery should be considered 1

Effectiveness of Evidence-Based Approaches

  • Comprehensive lifestyle interventions can achieve 2-4 kg weight loss in 6-12 months 1
  • Meal replacements can enhance weight loss results when used as part of a comprehensive program 1
  • Weight loss medications produce variable results:
    • Phentermine: ~6.0 kg at 28 weeks
    • Orlistat: ~2.9 kg at 12 months 2
  • Bariatric surgery provides the most substantial and durable weight loss results 1

Microneedling: Actual Uses and Limitations

Legitimate Uses of Microneedling

  • Skin rejuvenation: Microneedling creates micro-channels in the skin that stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture 1, 3
  • Scar treatment: Effective for treating acne scars and other types of scarring 3
  • Adjunct to facial fat grafting: Can improve fat graft survival when used to precondition recipient sites 4, 5

Why Microneedling Doesn't Work for Fat Loss

  1. Mechanism of action: Microneedling primarily affects the epidermis and dermis, not the subcutaneous fat layer where adipose tissue is stored 1, 3
  2. Depth limitation: Standard microneedling devices typically penetrate only 0.25-2.5mm, insufficient to reach deep fat deposits 1
  3. No clinical evidence: No clinical guidelines or high-quality studies support microneedling for fat loss 2

Special Considerations

Radiofrequency Microneedling

While standard microneedling doesn't target fat, radiofrequency microneedling (RF microneedling) has shown limited potential for localized fat reduction in specific areas:

  • One small study demonstrated modest reduction in submental fat using micro-insulated needle RF devices 6
  • RF microneedling works through thermal injury to adipocytes rather than the mechanical action of standard microneedling 7
  • Even with RF, effects are minimal compared to established weight loss methods 6

Potential Risks of Pursuing Unproven Methods

  • Delayed implementation of effective treatments
  • Financial waste on ineffective procedures
  • False expectations leading to disappointment and potential psychological impact
  • Possible side effects including erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and infection 3

Bottom Line

For effective fat loss, focus on evidence-based approaches recommended in clinical guidelines: caloric deficit through diet modification, increased physical activity, and if appropriate, FDA-approved medications or surgical interventions. Microneedling with "Tessa Morlen" (or any other product/technique) is not a recognized or effective method for fat loss and should not be pursued for this purpose.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Weight Management Guidelines

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

Microneedling: A Comprehensive Review.

Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 2017

Research

Improving fat graft survival through preconditioning of the recipient site with microneedling.

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS, 2014

Research

Efficacy and Safety of the Micro-insulated Needle Radiofrequency Device for Reduction of Submental Fat.

Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 2023

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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