Whether you have heard of the term carboxytherapy or not, one thing is certain, it is a phenomenal aesthetic treatment that can do wonders for your skin. Naturally, the term carboxy refers to carbon dioxide (CO₂) as this progressive treatment uses it to give your skin a well-deserved boost. And as most of us are aware, we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Therefore, some of us may be under the misconception that this gas is not at all valuable to us. If you are one of those, then you would be wrong.
Simply because carbon dioxide is essential for life on Earth. We as humans need it to regulate our respiration and control our blood pH. Plants, of course, use carbon dioxide to create oxygen (photosynthesis). And we need oxygen to breathe. The circle of life.
However, carbon dioxide is more than just a gas that keeps us alive. It also offers remarkable skin-enhancing results. So what is carboxytherapy and how can it boost your skin? Here is what you need to know.
Carboxytherapy For Beginners
Carboxytherapy, also known as carbon dioxide therapy, is a non-surgical procedure that involves the subcutaneous injection of carbon dioxide gas. It was originally developed in France in the 1930s. The timeline is more or less as follows. In 1932, patients bathed in carbonated water pools to help heal wounds caused by certain circulatory diseases. It was not until the 1950s when doctors first began injecting CO₂ into the fatty layer of the skin. The goal around this time was to use carboxytherapy to treat cellulite. Fast forward to 1995, Luigi Parassoni introduced the term carboxytherapy as we know it today at the Italian Society of Esthetical Medicine. And the rest is history as they say.
However, carboxytherapy can be used to treat more than just lesions and cellulite. It is used to improve the appearance of stretch marks, stimulate hair growth, and to restore your skin. What’s more, this remarkable skin-rejuvenating treatment can also be used on your face, abdomen, arms, thighs, and even your buttocks!
A Quick Look At The Inner Workings Of A Carboxy Injections
How does carboxytherapy work? And how does injecting carbon dioxide affect our bodies? Great question. To vastly sum it up, when CO₂ is injected into your skin, it temporarily increases the carbon dioxide levels in your blood. This increase triggers several responses in your body. These include expanding blood vessels, improving oxygen flow, boosting collagen production, and enhancing lymphatic drainage. Here is a slightly more in-depth breakdown:
CO₂ helps widen your blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the injected area. This increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, supporting repair and rejuvenation for a brighter and healthier skin.
The boost in oxygen also stimulates fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen), which keeps your skin firm and elastic. Carboxytherapy also aids in draining excess fluids and toxins, helping to reduce swelling and promote overall well-being.
The best part? Carboxytherapy has been thoroughly researched. It is supported by extensive scientific research that proves its efficacy and safety.
Common Carboxytherapy Uses
Carboxytherapy is mostly used to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, stretch marks, dark circles and under-eye puffiness. It is also widely used to treat cellulite (a skin condition up to 90% of women who have gone through puberty experience).
Other popular uses include scar treatment, to enhance blood flow to the scalp, which can stimulate hair growth and improve hair thickness. While it is not a weight-loss solution, it can target localised fat deposits, making it ideal for body contouring too.
Risks To Keep In Mind
Due to carboxytherapy’s non-surgical nature, risks are rare. But, as with any treatment, they do exist. Some people may experience mild discomfort during the procedure, or swelling and bruising at the injection site afterwards. These, however, are usually short-lived.
Even though carboxytherapy is suitable for most, it is not suitable for pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions or skin infections. That is why booking a consultation before booking an appointment is worth more than all the gold in the world. It allows us to assess your skin and discuss your medical history to ensure carboxytherapy is the right treatment for you.
Here Is What You Need To Remember About Carboxytherapy
Carboxytherapy is a highly effective treatment for skin rejuvenation. A recent study found that about 80% of people saw visible improvements in cellulite after just eight sessions. Around 75 to 85% of patients also noticed better colour, texture, and depth of their stretch marks after several treatments. When it comes to skin firmness, about 70 to 90% of patients experienced improvements!
These great results show just how powerful carbon dioxide can be in renewing your skin. If you are interested in trying it, feel free to book a consultation with one of our qualified aestheticians.
