Carboxytherapy is a cosmetic procedure for the face, which is an intradermal or subcutaneous injection of gaseous carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) for therapeutic purposes.
Carboxytherapy dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Later, carbon dioxide therapy began to be used in South America and Europe to treat stretch marks, cellulite and scars.
Fundamental studies by scientists from different countries have shown that carboxytherapy significantly improves
skin elasticity, improves blood circulation, stimulates collagen synthesis, almost completely smoothes shallow wrinkles and destroys local fat deposits. Cosmetic procedures based on carboxytherapy are absolutely harmless.
The mechanism of action of carboxytherapy
Scientists have proven that carbon dioxide is a kind of signaling of poor circulation in the body. Absolutely all body cells (neurons, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, epithelial cells, etc.), regardless of the functions they perform, emit carbon dioxide as a waste product.
Thus, we breathe air, a gas exchange process takes place in the lungs: red blood cells “exchange” carbon dioxide molecules for oxygen molecules and carry them to all organs and tissues, from which carbon dioxide is then taken. The process is cyclical and repeats with each inhalation-exhalation. When blood cells are exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide, the gas exchange process is noticeably intensified. In a sense, by introducing small amounts of carbon dioxide into or under the skin, we trick the blood circulation in this area. And it’s no secret that the main reason for the formation of cellulite, stretch marks, dark circles under the eyes is insufficient blood circulation in the tissues.
Stretch marks and carboxytherapy. Reviews, expert opinion
Stretch marks are wide linear stripes of discolored or wrinkled skin.
In women, striae appear much more often than in men. So, the appearance of stretch marks is noted by 90% of pregnant women. Studies by scientists have shown that striae are a special form of scar tissue, which is formed as a result of damage (tearing) of collagen and elastin fibers. There are two types of stretch marks: newly formed (they are bright red or pink) and old (white). Both types of striae are very difficult to treat by any correction methods. Neither the currently popular retinoid therapy, nor microdermabrasion, nor laser resurfacing of the skin have a significant effect. In addition, laser therapy is unsafe for people with dark skin or a predisposition to cancer. In turn, invasive and non-invasive carboxytherapy is the only affordable, effective and safe (for all skin types) method of treating new and old stretch marks by restoring collagen fibers. Carboxytherapy, which patients' reviews are positive in 98% of cases, stimulates the synthesis of new collagen and slightly thickens the skin, which significantly improves the appearance of stretch marks, making them almost invisible.
Cellulite and carboxytherapy
Over 95% of mature women report the presence of cellulite, which is directly related to the level of female sex hormones - estrogen.
The mechanism of its formation is as follows: with age, the amount of collagen fibers in the connective tissue decreases markedly, subcutaneous fat cells "migrate" to the upper layers, forming dimples and bulges called cellulite. Women at all times tried to deal with this phenomenon using various cosmetic procedures, such as applying special creams, lymphatic drainage massage, etc. But they all yielded an insignificant and always temporary result, because they did not eliminate the root cause - impaired blood circulation and damage to collagen fibers. Carboxytherapy was originally used by Brazilians for aesthetic purposes - with it, doctors “fashioned” residual
fat deposits above the knees after liposuction.
Histological studies have shown that fat cells self-destruct under the influence of carbon dioxide, while the remaining structures of the skin and nervous tissue remain unharmed. Reviews of women about carboxytherapy in the treatment of cellulite show that in order to achieve the maximum result, it is necessary to repeat the course of procedures with a frequency of once every several months.
Carboxytherapy in the treatment of dark circles under the eyes
The formation of dark circles under the eyes can be associated with several reasons: age-related skin pigmentation, deformation of the nasolacrimal canal, but most often this is due to poor blood circulation in the lower eyelid.
Dr. Zdainak developed and conducted the first studies on the use of carboxytherapy for rejuvenating the skin around the eyes. So, it was found that the introduction of a small amount of carbon dioxide under the skin of the lower eyelid significantly reduces the area and brightens the pigmentation of circles under the eyes. Such facial procedures take only 5 minutes. In addition, they are almost painless and safe. In addition, non-injection carboxytherapy is also effective in the treatment of dark circles, reviews of which only confirm this fact. A series of 2-6 remote treatments per week is all that is required for an excellent result.
Types of carboxytherapy
Two types of carboxytherapy are distinguished, depending on the way carbon dioxide is used - invasive and non-invasive carboxytherapy. Reviews of both procedures indicate a high degree of their effectiveness in cosmetology and medicine. In the case of an invasive procedure, carbon dioxide is injected subcutaneously or intradermally using a special thin needle. But many women are afraid of pain. In such cases, non-invasive carboxytherapy is used. But it should be borne in mind that the injection of carbon dioxide gives much faster results.
Non-invasive (non-injection) carboxytherapy
This type of carboxytherapy is less effective, but is in great demand due to its painlessness. The procedure takes place without the use of needles and other intimidating tools, only a special mask is used. Carboxytherapy is carried out by passive gas exchange between carbon dioxide and the skin surface. Non-injection carboxytherapy, which is also positive, requires more procedures to achieve the same result as an invasive one.
Invasive carboxytherapy
Invasive carboxytherapy is associated with the introduction of carbon dioxide with a needle under or inside the skin. As mentioned above, an invasive procedure is more effective than non-injection carboxytherapy.
Reviews of patients repeatedly confirm this fact, but still women's fears are insurmountable. In fact, not everything is as scary as it draws a stormy imagination. Carbon dioxide is in a special cylinder. It is fed through a sterile tube to the filter, at the end of which a microscopic needle is located. In this case, the tenderness of the procedure is a myth. In the most sensitive places (for example, the eyelids), specialists apply a special cream or spray with an anesthetic to the skin, causing slight numbness. When treating the skin of the eyelids for 10-15 minutes, redness and slight swelling are observed. The treatment of scars and stretch marks is completely painless, since such skin is characterized by lower sensitivity. Some time after the procedure, slight tingling and itching may be felt. When correcting body fat and cellulite, there is a sensation of tissue compression in this place. Regardless of the area of the procedure, during the day after it you will feel warmth and, possibly, slight tingling as a result of intensification of blood circulation and metabolic processes.
Indications for carboxytherapy
Given the high efficiency and absolute safety of the procedure, it can be recommended in the following cases:
- Cellulite
- Stretch marks.
- Pigmentation, sagging skin, wrinkles.
- Oxygen deficiency.
- Varicose veins.
In addition, carboxytherapy, the photo of which shows its high efficiency, can be shown as an accompanying procedure during mesotherapy or biorevitalization.
Contraindications for carboxytherapy
Given the excellent result, carboxytherapy has gained high popularity among the population. However, a number of contraindications should be taken into account:
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Epilepsy.
- Strokes and heart attacks.
- Renal failure.
- Hypertension.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Liver disease.
Side effects and risks of carboxytherapy
Given the fact that historically injection of carbon dioxide has been used for many years in endoscopic abdominal surgery, this procedure is absolutely safe. The only side effect of carboxytherapy may be the formation of small bruises at the injection site. And in the case of non-invasive carboxytherapy, there are no side effects at all.
Duration and number of procedures
The duration of the procedure varies depending on your problem and the area of the skin where the therapy is performed. So, facial procedures last less than the treatment of cellulite or stretch marks. On average, each session takes from 15 to 30 minutes. As for the number of procedures, this indicator also greatly depends on the degree of your problem and the individual characteristics of the body. As a rule, it takes from 6 to 12 sessions, which take 1-2 weeks.
Cost and reviews of carboxytherapy
Carboxytherapy, the prices of which are relatively low, successfully competes with other cosmetic procedures and is offered both in clinics and in beauty salons. The cost of the procedure depends on two main factors: the number of sessions and the size of the treated surface. So, the average price of one session (in Moscow) is 2-3 thousand rubles per area of 200 cm 2 . Thus, one session of correction of dark circles under the eyes will cost you 1-2 thousand rubles, and one treatment for cellulite or stretch marks on the stomach and hips will cost about 5-6 thousand rubles. Not only patient reviews prove how effective carboxytherapy is. Photos before and after the procedures clearly demonstrate that it is worth the money and time. And given that the same laser correction is several times more expensive and has a number of contraindications and side effects, there is no doubt that carboxytherapy is the priority in choosing cosmetic procedures.
With regard to efficiency, the vast majority of women emphasize that the effect of the procedure is really stunning, but only if systematic and regular. Otherwise, you will get only a short-term result. The maximum effect, according to patients, is injection carboxytherapy in the treatment of dark circles under the eyes and shallow wrinkles.
High efficiency, reasonable price, safety and painlessness (non-invasive carboxytherapy), reviews of patients satisfied with the result provide leadership of carboxytherapy in the market of corrective cosmetic services.