Truncal Anesthesia for Hair Mesotherapy

The document discusses the use of truncal anesthesia (TA) of the supraorbital nerve (SON) to alleviate pain during hair mesotherapy treatments for alopecia. Mesotherapy, which involves the use of platelet-rich plasma or dutasteride, has been shown to be effective for both male and female androgenic alopecia. However, the pain associated with the procedure can deter patients. The authors suggest that TA of the SON, using 1-2.5 mL of mepivacaine, can provide satisfactory pain control. This technique involves locating the supraorbital foramen (SOF) and injecting the mepivacaine 1 cm above it. The only side effects noted are slight pain during the anesthesia infiltration and periocular edema that disappears within 48-72 hours. The authors conclude that TA of the SON is a simple procedure that can be performed in any dermatology office, reducing patient discomfort and improving adherence to the treatment.