Carboxytherapy is a cosmetic procedure for the face, which is an intradermal or subcutaneous injection of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) for therapeutic purposes.
Carboxytherapy dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. More recently, carbon dioxide therapy has been 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 increases skin elasticity, improves blood circulation, stimulates collagen synthesis, almost completely smoothes out shallow wrinkles and destroys local fat deposits. Cosmetic procedures based on carboxytherapy are absolutely harmless.
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, epitheliocytes, etc.), regardless of their functions, emit carbon dioxide as a waste product.
Thus, we inhale air, the process of gas exchange takes place in the lungs: red blood cells “exchange” carbon dioxide molecules for oxygen molecules and carry them to all organs and tissues, from where they then take carbon dioxide. The process is cyclical and repeats with each inhalation and exhalation. When blood cells are exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide, the process of gas exchange is markedly intensified. In a sense, by injecting small amounts of carbon dioxide into or under the skin, we are tricking the circulation into that 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.
Stretches and carboxytherapy. Reviews, expert opinion
Stretches are wide, linear bands of discolored or wrinkled skin.
Women have more striae than men. So, the appearance of stretch marks is noted by 90% of pregnant women. Research scientists have shown that striae are a special form of scar tissue, which is formed as a result of damage (ruptures) of collagen and elastin fibers. There are two types of stretch marks: newly formed (bright red or pink) and old (white). Both types of striae are very difficult to treat with any correction methods. Neither the currently popular retinoid therapy, nor microdermabrasion, nor laser skin resurfacing have a significant effect. ExceptIn addition, laser therapy is not safe 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 is 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
More than 95% of women of mature age 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 number 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 fight this phenomenon with the help of various cosmetic procedures, such as applying special creams, lymphatic drainage massage, etc. But all of them gave an insignificant and always temporary result, since 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 its help, doctors "sculpted" residual fat deposits above the knees after liposuction. Histological studies have shown thatfat cells self-destruct under the influence of carbon dioxide, while the rest of the 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 maximum results, it is necessary to repeat the course of procedures once every few months.
Carboxytherapy for dark circles under the eyes
The formation of dark circles under the eyes can be due to 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. Zdaynak developed and conducted the first studies on the use of carboxytherapy to rejuvenate 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. These facials take only 5 minutes. In addition, they are practically 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 it takes for excellent results.
Types of carboxytherapy
Depending on the way carbon dioxide is used, there are two types of carboxytherapy - invasive and non-invasive carboxytherapy. Reviews of both procedures indicate a high degree of their effectiveness in cosmetology and medicine. WhenIn 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 injecting 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 frightening instruments, 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 also has positive reviews, requires more treatments to achieve the same result as invasive.
Invasive carboxytherapy
Invasive carboxytherapy involves injecting carbon dioxide with a needle under or into the skin. As mentioned above, the invasive procedure is more effective than non-injection carboxytherapy.
Reviews of patients repeatedly confirm this fact, but still the fears of women are difficult to overcome. In fact, not everything is as scary as a violent imagination draws. Carbon dioxide is in a special cylinder. Through a sterile tube, it is fed to the filter, at the end of which there is a microscopic needle. At the same time, the pain of the procedure is a myth. In the most sensitive places (for example, eyelids), specialists apply toskin with a special cream or spray with an anesthetic that causes mild numbness. When treating the skin of the eyelids, redness and slight swelling are observed within 10-15 minutes. The treatment of scars and stretch marks is completely painless, since such skin is characterized by lower sensitivity. Some time after the procedure, you may feel a slight tingling and itching. When correcting fat deposits and cellulite, there is a feeling of tissue compression in this place. Regardless of the area of the procedure, during the day after the procedure, you will feel warmth and, possibly, a slight tingling as a result of the 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.
- Stretches.
- Pigmentation, skin laxity, wrinkles.
- Oxygen deficiency.
- Varicose.
In addition, carboxytherapy, the photos of which demonstrate its high efficiency, can be shown as an accompanying procedure during mesotherapy or biorevitalization.
Contraindications for carboxytherapy
In view of the excellent result, carboxytherapy has become very popular among the population. However, a number of contraindications should be taken into account:
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Epilepsy.
- Strokes and heart attacks.
- Kidney failure.
- Hypertension.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Liver disease.
Side effects and risks of carboxytherapy
Given the fact that carbon dioxide injection has historically been used for many years in endoscopic abdominal surgery, this procedure is absolutely safe. The only side effect of carboxytherapy is 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 treatments
Treatment times vary depending on your problem and the area of skin being treated. So, facial treatments last less than the treatment of cellulite or stretch marks. On average, each session takes 15 to 30 minutes. As for the number of procedures, this indicator also strongly depends on the degree of your problem and the individual characteristics of the body. Typically, 6 to 12 sessions are required, which take 1-2 weeks.
Cost and reviews of carboxytherapy
Carboxytherapy, the price of which is 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 for an area of 200 cm2. Thus, one session of correction of dark circles under the eyes will cost you 1-2 thousand rubles, and one procedure for the treatment of cellulite or stretch marks onstomach 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 spent. And taking into account the fact that the same laser correction is many times more expensive and has a number of contraindications and side effects, there is no doubt that carboxytherapy is a priority in choosing cosmetic procedures.
As for effectiveness, the vast majority of women emphasize that the effect of the procedure is really stunning, but only if it is systematic and regular. Otherwise, you will only get short-term results. According to patients, injection carboxytherapy has the maximum effect in the treatment of dark circles under the eyes and shallow wrinkles.
High efficiency, reasonable price, safety and painlessness (non-invasive carboxytherapy), reviews of satisfied patients ensure that carboxytherapy leads the market for corrective cosmetology services.
