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Key Points
- Carboxytherapy has been used to improve tissue perfusion in underperfused areas of body.
- Carboxytherapy involves injection of carbon dioxide gas into skin, subcutaneous and fatty tissues where it lipolyses fatty tissues.
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Dr. Nach
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CARBOXYTHERAPY is a relatively new and innovative technique that has many applications in modern medicine, including several nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. I have been using this treatment modality for several years now, and find it most efficacious in the treatment of scars, burns and wound healing.
I have also used it as a complementary treatment in patients who have had other surgical procedures where the results are less than favorable, including liposuction and fat removal from around the eyes. Although I have used carboxytherapy in the treatment of stretch marks and cellulite with encouraging results, it's not the basis of my practice.
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Intro-op injection technique (top photo) and diagram of injection sites: use a 30-gauge, 5/8 needle with the bevel directed towards the surface. Control the flow of the gas.
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Since the carbon dioxide gas increases oxygenation to the tissues, it has been used to improve tissue perfusion in underperfused areas of the body, where increased oxygen is required to heal tissues. This has been shown in the treatment of ulcers of the skin.
CARBOXY 101 First introduced in France, carboxytherapy applications continue to multiply. Carbon dioxide is a nonembolic gas and is nontoxic even in high doses. Our bodies produce about 200 mL of CO2 at rest, which increases ten-fold during exercise. Large amounts of CO2 gas are injected during laparoscopic surgeries with no ill effects. Carboxytherapy is a simple and proven technique that can dramatically improve the appearance of many conditions. Treatments are rapid, comfortable and very effective.
TECHNIQUE TIPS The technique involves the injection of carbon dioxide gas into the skin, subcutaneous and fatty tissues where it lipolyses the fatty tissues.
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Histological appearance of the dermis (A) before and (B) after CO2 treatment. Post-treatment (B) shows thickening of the dermis and rearrangement of collagenous fibers.
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The treatments are performed through a 30-gauge needle attached to a carbon dioxide source and infiltrated into the tissues in a controlled fashion. Once injected, the gas diffuses rapidly into the adjacent tissues. The carbon dioxide works in two complementary mechanisms. First, the CO2 works mechanically, destroying the fat cells, and second by its vasodilatory effect on the capillaries in the treated areas. Wider vessels equates to stronger blood flow and hence more oxygen to the tissues. This, in turn, eliminates the built-up fluids from between the cells.
