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
- Mechanism of action: Microneedling primarily affects the epidermis and dermis, not the subcutaneous fat layer where adipose tissue is stored 1, 3
- Depth limitation: Standard microneedling devices typically penetrate only 0.25-2.5mm, insufficient to reach deep fat deposits 1
- 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.