Carboxytherapy Skin Treatments

by Carrie Aker

First developed in France in the 1930s, Carboxytherapy is the use of carbon dioxide for therapeutic purposes. Today, carboxytherapy, generally in the form of CO2 injections, is gaining in popularity again due to its simplicity and lack of risks or side effects. The jury is still out, however, on whether or not the treatment consistently offers what its proponents claim, and it's still awaiting FDA approval.

Carboxytherapy has a wide variety of supposed therapeutic uses. Some studies have shown that it can reduce hypertrophic scarring, stretch marks and cellulite. Carboxytherapy may also improve skin elasticity, circulation, and collagen development, destroying localized fatty deposits and reducing dark under eye circles, fine lines, and wrinkles.

When treating cellulite, there are many options to look into. Carboxytherapy gained popularity in Brazil as a way to help sculpt post-liposuction residual fatty deposits. The use of carbon dioxide can rupture the fatty deposit without damaging the skin or the surrounding nerves. The fact that the carbon dioxide treatment also repairs natural collagen is another reason why Carboxytherapy may work well as a cellulite treatment. The collagen repair helps smooth over dimpled skin and create a firmer, smoother appearance.

Carboxytherapy fans also claim it can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, as well. Carbon dioxide injections are generally considered safe for all skin types, including darker pigmentations that are not receptive to laser treatments. Damage to collagen in the dermal layer is the most common cause of stretch marks. The carbon dioxide therapy works to correct this damage and repair the skin, supposedly helping the stretch marks fade from view over time.

Dark under eye circles are usually caused by poor circulation, but carboxytherapy might be able to address this problem, too, as some patients have experienced excellent results in treating dark under eye circles through a series of CO2 injections. The treatment usually involves about 2-6 injections spread out over weekly intervals.

Specialists who stand by Carboxytherapy hail its ability to improve blood circulation, a problem at the root of many common skin issues. Injecting carbon dioxide under the skin encourages better blood flow. Oxygen from the blood replaces the carbon dioxide and the carbon dioxide is eventually exhaled through the lungs. In a roundabout way, then, the increased oxygen to the troubled areas improves the appearance of the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of unsightly cellulite, stretch marks and dark eye circles. Sounds good to be true, and it just might be. But for the time being, Carboxytherapy continues to generate more and more interest along with its fair share of speculation.

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