Carboxytherapy – what is it? To whom is this treatment recommended?

Carboxytherapy, or carbon dioxide therapy, is widely used in medicine – including aesthetic medicine. This treatment can be performed in specialized offices. Interestingly, carboxytherapy can be used to treat wrinkles as well as baldness or cellulite. What exactly does this treatment consist of? To whom is it recommended and what are the contraindications to carboxytherapy?

What does carboxytherapy consist of?

The CO2 treatment, which is referred to as carboxytherapy, involves the subcutaneous or intradermal injection of medical grade carbon dioxide. The method of injection, as well as the portion of the gas and the duration of the treatment, are issues that depend on the area where the procedure is performed.

How does carbon dioxide interact with tissues?

• The applied gas causes vasodilation of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which transports nutrients. The effect of these actions is to improve microcirculation of the skin, as well as strong oxygenation of the tissues.
• Carbon dioxide injection induces an intentional and controlled inflammation in the body. The effect is to stimulate the skin’s natural regenerative processes – primarily increased collagen production.
• Carboxytherapy also stimulates lymphatic circulation, which helps minimize swelling and stasis. Not without significance is also the fact that carbon dioxide molecules are transformed in the body into carbonic acid – it has the ability to damage the cell membrane of fat cells. Thus, the effect of the treatment can also be fat reduction.

Carbon dioxide affects tissues in many ways. Because of this, carboxytherapy treatments can be used for both medical and cosmetic purposes.

Is carboxytherapy safe?

Carboxytherapy treatment, which will be professionally performed in a person without significant contraindications, should not pose a risk. It is a low-invasive procedure. Carbon dioxide naturally occurs in the body and is produced at an increased rate during exercise, for example. The portion of this gas that is applied as part of carboxytherapy is removed from the body over time. It is worth noting that a medical-grade gas is applied during the procedure, which further increases the safety of this procedure.

What can carboxytherapy be used for?

The broad spectrum of carbon dioxide’s action on tissues means that carboxytherapy treatment can be performed for many indications, as well as on different areas of the skin.

• Carboxytherapy under eyes – is a short procedure that is sometimes performed to eliminate dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. An indication for its performance is also the presence of wrinkles and increasingly visible aging of the skin around the eyes.
• Facial carboxytherapy – is sometimes used to improve skin density and as a way to eliminate wrinkles. Sometimes this treatment is also recommended as a non-invasive way to remove the second chin. Carboxytherapy activates the skin’s natural renewal processes, but can also break up fat cells that have accumulated excessively – for example, on the chin.
• Carboxytherapy of the scalp – is a method used during trichological treatments. Its purpose is to improve microcirculation, which strengthens hair follicles. Carboxytherapy of the scalp is recommended for people who have noticed weakening of hair condition or hair loss.
• Carboxytherapy of other areas of the body – this treatment can be used as a method to reduce swelling and lymphatic stasis, but also as a way to eliminate cellulite or local excess fat.

Medical carbon dioxide treatments can be applied to virtually any area of the skin. However, many people are puzzled by something else – how effective carboxytherapy is. The effects depend on the type of treatment, but also on the number of repetitions and on following post-treatment instructions.

Carboxytherapy – contraindications

Every medical and cosmetic procedure is a procedure for which there are certain contraindications. Carboxytherapy treatment should be abandoned by those who:

• They have diagnosed: cardiovascular disease, heart failure, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, diabetes, endometriosis.
• They are currently using: anticoagulants (the exception is patients who can stop treatment for a few days), steroid and depressant drugs, antibiotics.
• Have had the following done: botulinum toxin treatments (wait a minimum of two weeks), wrinkle filling (wait a minimum of six months), lifting with threads (wait up to two years).

Carboxytherapy is also contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as well as post-organ transplant status.

Carboxytherapy – prices and recommendations after the procedure

The effectiveness of many cosmetic and medical procedures depends not only on their proper execution, but also on whether the patient follows medical advice.

Preparation for carboxytherapy

Although medical carbon dioxide treatment is not invasive, some people need to prepare for the procedure. It is crucial to stop stimulants (especially alcohol) for a minimum of two days before the procedure. If you use aspirin or other blood-thinning medications, consult your doctor – two days before the carboxytherapy procedure, it is necessary to discontinue such medications. Make sure you can do this.