Carboxytherapy
What Is Carboxytherapy?
Carboxytherapy is used to treat cellulite, dark circles under the eyes and stretch marks. People who undergo the procedure find an improvement in:
- Circulation
- Skin elasticity
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- It also helps with the repair of collagen and the destruction of fat deposits.
In addition, it can help reduce circles under the eyes by increasing blood flow to the eyelid. Some doctors have also used therapy to treat erectile dysfunction, acute arthritis, Raynaud’s syndrome and alopecia caused by poor blood circulation.
For the reduction of fat and cellulite, the procedure is often preferred to more invasive and high-risk methods, such as liposuction.
Carboxytherapy can be used on the face, eyelids, neck, stomach, arms, legs and buttocks.
How Is Carboxytherapy Done?
The details of the procedure will vary depending on the part of the body being treated. The mechanisms of the procedure, however, are mostly the same.
A carbon dioxide gas tank is connected to a flow regulator with plastic tubing. The doctor will carefully regulate the amount of gas that flows from the tank. The gas is emitted through the flow regulator and into a sterile tube that has a filter at the end. The filter collects the impurities before they reach the body. The gas passes through a very small needle on the opposite side of the filter. The doctor injects the gas under the skin through the needle.
The procedure is almost completely painless. Some doctors rub the anesthetic cream at the injection site before inserting the needle. Despite the lack of pain, some people report feeling a strange sensation briefly afterwards.
Carboxytherapy is an outpatient procedure, and usually only takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
How Do You Prepare For Carboxytherapy?
There is no specific preparation before the procedure, although your doctor may have special instructions depending on your circumstances.
How The Procedure Works
Poor blood circulation is partially responsible for cellulite, stretch marks and dark circles under the eyes. The cells in the body release carbon dioxide as waste. The red blood cells take the oxygen they inhale and carry it to the tissues, then collect the carbon dioxide. Eventually, carbon dioxide is exhaled through the lungs.
A doctor can increase blood circulation in a specific area by injecting carbon dioxide, which causes red blood cells to rush to the area. When the blood cells reach the location, they create an increase in circulation. This works to repair the elasticity of the skin and, in the case of circles under the eyes, change the pigment to a healthy glow.
- Stretch marks: the stretch marks you see on your body are a breakdown of the dermal collagen. Carboxytherapy creates new collagen, which thickens the skin and improves its appearance.
- Cellulite: carbon dioxide gas can also be injected into fat cells, which causes cells to burst and be eliminated in the body. Cellulite occurs when subcutaneous fat protrudes through the skin. Several studies have found that carboxytherapy is safe and effective when used to treat cellulite.
- Circles under the eyes: dark circles under the eyes are usually caused by poor circulation, which creates a vascular buildup. Injecting the gas under the eyelid reduces this bluish buildup and replaces it with a blush tone.
- Alopecia: alopecia (hair loss) caused by poor circulation can also be treated with carboxytherapy.
