CARBOXYTHERAPY: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS

History of carboxytherapy

When we talk about carboxytherapy we are referring to a technique dating back to the "30s. In fact, the use of carbon dioxide in the medical field, to treat diseases of various kinds, saw its beginnings in France in 1932 in the Royat spa, in Clermont. -Ferrand.
Initially, the subcutaneous CO2 treatment was dedicated to patients with vascular disorders, who were subjected to baths and showers during which carbon dioxide was taken through the skin and with infiltrations.
Subsequent studies have shown how the treatment positively influenced the circulation and metabolism of lipids, so much so that the French Ministry of Health considered this therapy as effective and safe.
Years later, during the XVI National Congress of Aesthetic Medicine of the Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine in 1995, Luigi Parassoni coined the term carboxytherapy, transforming this consolidated technique into an element of novelty among the most widespread aesthetic practices for the fight against hated imperfections.

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How does carboxytherapy work?

Carboxytherapy is now a widespread technique in medicine, which consists in the subcutaneous administration of a quantity of carbon dioxide in a gaseous state. What makes this technique so interesting is its protagonist, carbon dioxide, a natural substance, non-toxic when administered in low concentrations and hypoallergenic. This magical element can perform different types of actions on the adipose tissue, on the skin and on the vascular system.

Benefits of carboxytherapy

Benefits for the skin and anti-aging effect. Carbon dioxide improves microcirculation and stimulates the activity of fibroblasts, responsible for the production of elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. This technique is in fact often associated with the skin rejuvenation of the neck as the increase in local circulation improves the hydration and tone of the skin.

Benefits for adipose tissue and anti-cellulite effect. Carboxytherapy acts both through a direct mechanism, given by the trauma of the needle on the adipocytes, and through an indirect mechanism, thanks to an increase in oxidative processes due to the increased bioavailability of oxygen.

Benefits at the vascular level. Carbon dioxide causes the dilation of arterioles and metarterioles. This generates an increase in blood flow in the capillary microcirculation.
As you can see, the perimeter of use of carboxytherapy is really wide and the disorders that can be treated - or alleviated - through the use of this technique are different and include both real pathologies and various types of imperfections (cellulite, signs of aging, etc. .):

Venous and lymphatic insufficiency;
Disorders characterized by an "alteration of the microcirculation;
Leg ulcers
Psoriasis;
Skin aging (as an adjuvant treatment);
Localized cellulite and adiposity;
Eliminate stretch marks;
Hypertrophic scars;
Alopecia;
Raynaud's phenomenon.
In the gynecological field as an adjuvant in anti-aging treatments of the female genitals.

Subcutaneous CO2 treatment is also often used for very specific purposes, such as the treatment of alopecia, ie hair loss, but there are no studies that attest to its effectiveness in this field. What is certain is that it is better to avoid carrying out the treatment in delicate areas of the body, such as the eyelids and the ocular area, due to the bruising to which it can give rise.

How a carbon dioxide injection works

If you are thinking of going to a specialist for the first time for a treatment with carbon dioxide, to combat the imperfections of the legs or décolleté neck, you are surely wondering how a “typical” carboxytherapy session takes place.

Carbon dioxide is supplied by a specific device equipped with a tank and a flow meter. The administration takes place through a very thin disposable needle. During the session, the doctor establishes the speed and quantity of gas according to the treatment and the sensitivity of the patient.
The question arises: does it hurt? The treatment is not totally painless, but the intensity of the discomfort varies from patient to patient. What causes this pain is a temporary subcutaneous emphysema that loosens the tissues. For this reason, when the tissue to be treated is compact, as in the case of cellulite with an abundant fibrosclerotic component, the discomfort is greater. However, the treatment is not recommended for those with a very low pain threshold.
The duration of a single session can vary from 15 to 30 minutes. At the end of the session, it is generally possible to resume all normal daily activities, including returning to work.

How many sessions are needed and what is the cost?

To obtain appreciable results, a single session of carboxytherapy is not enough, but it is necessary to perform therapeutic cycles consisting of several sessions.
The cycle of sessions varies according to the pathology to be treated (on average six to ten) and can possibly be repeated two or three times a year.

The cost of a session is between 80 and 150 euros, little more than a cosmetic treatment.

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Can any side effects occur?

Carbon dioxide is not toxic, as it is normally produced by the cells of our body. The only side effects that the therapy can therefore give are a slight local pain or bruising, a slight subcutaneous crepitus. These are therefore minimal side effects that are resolved spontaneously in a short time.
More important side effects can occur in case of administration of excessive doses of carbon dioxide and / or in case of incorrect execution of the technique.

Contraindications

Even if carboxytherapy is considered an effective and safe technique, as with any aesthetic medicine treatment, before undergoing a session it is important to have a medical examination to rule out the presence of problems that may represent an obstacle to the performance of the therapy.
Among these we find:

respiratory, kidney, liver or heart failure;
severe arterial hypertension;
personal history of thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis;
cardiac arrhythmias;
pregnancy and breastfeeding.

After reading this article, are you still thinking of contacting a specialist doctor to combat cellulite and localized adiposity or to improve the appearance of the body or skin of the neck and décolleté? Remember to: