what it is, principle of action, contraindications, photos before and after, prices
Aesthetic cosmetology is a constantly evolving field of knowledge, which is largely integrated into medicine.
Many cosmetic procedures are aimed at improving the body, which leads to an improvement in appearance and the elimination of aesthetic defects. Carboxytherapy has a similar principle of action. What it is and how to apply this method correctly, cosmetologists have learned from medicine, which has been treating with carbon dioxide for over 70 years.
The principle of operation and the essence of the procedure
After the age of 30, along with a decrease in the skin’s ability to strengthen connective tissue, a gradual degradation of the body as a whole begins. Due to natural aging and poor ecology, he can no longer regenerate and rejuvenate on his own. An important role in this is played by blood vessels that work with disorders and do not perform their function – the delivery of oxygen to the cells and the removal of their waste products – in full.
As a result, the rate of cellular metabolism decreases, and oxygen starvation begins in the tissues. In conditions of lack of the main source of energy, the cells “fall asleep” – they cease to divide and renew themselves, and the intercellular space is filled with waste products of their vital activity. Internal processes are directly reflected in the appearance – the skin loses its tone, sags, becomes unhealthy in color, and the fat layer grows much faster.
The principle of action of carboxytherapy is akin to the homeopathic postulate “Treat like with like”. Cosmetologists began to eliminate the consequences of oxygen starvation by artificially strengthening its cause about 15 years ago. During the procedure, the patient is injected with medical carbon dioxide under the skin, which begins to act immediately after the injection.
Entering the blood, CO2 increases the oxygen hunger of the cells to the limit. In response to this, the body begins a forced “dump” of oxygen from the blood into the tissues. As a result, blood vessels expand, blood flow to the skin increases, which causes the cells to “wake up” and begin to function in a qualitatively new mode.
By increasing the production of ATP-acid (metabolic stimulant), carbon dioxide is excreted from the body with the help of the kidneys and lungs 30 minutes after administration. The processes he catalysed continue in his absence. Thanks to the production of new fibroblasts and the normalization of blood and lymph circulation, the level of skin moisture increases, turgor improves, cells regenerate and cleanse, and the intercellular space is strengthened.
Carbon dioxide also has a positive effect on fat reduction. It increases the sensitivity of beta-adrenergic receptors, which are responsible for natural lipolysis. In addition, CO2 is directly involved in lipid hydrolysis due to the activation of cAMP (ATP derivative) and hormone-dependent lipase.
Video: “What is carboxytherapy and what results does it help to achieve?”
Indications for holding
In medicine, carbon dioxide injections are successfully used to treat quite serious diseases, such as psoriasis or osteonecrosis.
In cosmetology, carboxytherapy is indicated in the presence of the following defects and disorders:
Basically, carbon dioxide treatment is used for therapy and rejuvenation of the face, neck and décolleté, as well as reducing the volume of problem areas of the body – the abdomen, hips, buttocks. The correction zone may vary depending on the location of the defect.
How is the procedure?
As with other procedures associated with a direct effect on the body, carboxytherapy requires prior consultation with a specialist. After collecting an anamnesis and ascertaining the absence of contraindications, the doctor proceeds to the procedure.
There is no need for anesthesia, however, if desired, it can be carried out with a mesoscooter. A prerequisite is the disinfection of the injection site. This is followed by the introduction of carbon dioxide in various ways:
- invasive method – with a syringe with a needle or a special device for carboxytherapy in the form of a gun;
- non-invasive or non-injection carboxytherapy involves exposure to carbon dioxide dissolved in cosmetic masks.
Video: “How is non-invasive carboxytherapy performed?”
Injections are made with G25 – G32 needles. Depending on the purpose, the gas injection is done at different depths.
| Depth, mm | Effect | Indications | Dosage, cm³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Stimulation of collagen, smoothing the surface | Scars, wrinkles, loss of elasticity | 1-10 |
| 6-10 | Breakdown of subcutaneous fat | Cellulite, local fat deposits | 15-25 |
After that, the doctor re-treats with an antiseptic, and this ends the procedure. Its duration is about 20-30 minutes, depending on the number of correction zones. There is no pain syndrome upon injection.
Post-procedure recommendations include:
- do not wet the injection site for 4 hours;
- exclude thermal effects on the body for 6 hours;
- do not wear compression and corrective underwear immediately after injections.
Carboxytherapy for the treatment of cellulite and stretch marks
Treatment with carbon dioxide has proven to be an effective tool to combat local fibro-dystrophic changes in subcutaneous fat. Carbon dioxide eliminates the disorder of lymphatic circulation, normalizes microcirculation, removes toxins, fat and water, eliminates “nodules” and seals of connective tissue (“orange peel”).
In the treatment of cellulite, superficial injections, which act against skin laxity, alternate with deep ones, aimed at lipolysis. The introduction is made according to the grid scheme. The course includes 12 sessions with a frequency of 1 time in 4 days.
When exposed to stretch marks, CO2 accelerates their epithelialization, evens out the color of the stretch marks with skin tone, and ensures that the border of the stretch mark is on the same level with the general surface. Injections are made directly into the stretch marks through multiple superficial punctures (a dose of 5 cm³ is injected to a depth of 1 mm). The course is 1 session every 14 days for 4 months.
Results and course of carbon dioxide injections
The result becomes visible on average after 3-4 procedures and is expressed in a significant improvement in the local condition of the skin – elasticity increases, the color becomes healthier, scars turn white, wrinkles are smoothed out.
In order to combat the signs of aging, carboxytherapy requires 2-3 injections in each area in a course of 5-6 sessions (2-3 per week). The effect is quite persistent and lasts at least 8-10 months.
The results of carboxytherapy: photos before and after the procedure
Contraindications and side effects
Local mild and reversible complications include hematomas, short-term hyperemia, subcutaneous crepitus, burning at the injection site and a feeling of heaviness in the limbs at a dosage of more than 20 cm³.
Contraindications to carboxytherapy are:
- myocardial infarction, transferred less than 6 months before the procedure;
- angina;
- heart, lung and kidney failure;
- arterial hypertension;
- a history of stroke;
- thrombophlebitis;
- gangrene;
- epilepsy;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- taking carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
What procedures can be combined with?
Estimated cost
The price for a carboxytherapy procedure (carbon dioxide injections) depends on the treatment area and averages 50 USD for an area of about 15 cm². The cost of 1 treatment session of individual parts of the body is shown in the table.
| Region | Price, USD |
|---|---|
| Face (1 anatomical zone) | thirty |
| Body (abdomen, thighs, buttocks) | 60-70 |
The course for the purpose of rejuvenation will cost 150 USD, against cellulite – 720 USD, against stretch marks – 950 USD.
Carboxytherapy is a method of medical intervention that has been successfully used in the field of cosmetology. Carbon dioxide injections can significantly reduce or completely eliminate the manifestations of age signs on the skin, cellulite and acquired defects. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of the organism itself, therefore it is guaranteed not to cause allergies and will not cause serious complications.
