Carboxytherapy
Carboxytherapy is used to treat cellulite, dark under-eye circles, and stretch marks. People who undergo the procedure find an improvement in:
●     circulation
●     skin elasticity
●     fine lines and wrinkles
●     It also aids with collagen repair and the destruction of fatty deposits.
 
Additionally, it can help reduce under-eye circles by increasing blood flow to the eyelid. Some physicians have also used the therapy to treat alopecia caused by poor blood circulation.
For fat and cellulite reduction, the procedure is often preferred over more invasive and high-risk methods, like liposuction.
 
Carboxytherapy can be used on the:
●     face
●     eyelids
●     neck
●     stomach
●     arms
●     legs
●     buttocks
How the procedure works
Poor blood circulation is partially responsible for cellulite, stretch marks, and dark under-eye circles. Cells in the body release carbon dioxide as waste. Red blood cells take the oxygen you inhale and carry it to tissues, then pick up carbon dioxide. Eventually, the carbon dioxide is exhaled by the lungs.
A physician can increase blood circulation to a specific area by injecting carbon dioxide, causing the red blood cells to rush to the area.
When the blood cells reach the location, they create an increase in circulation. This works to repair skin elasticity and, in the case of under-eye circles, change pigment to a healthy glow.
 
●     Stretch marks: The stretch marks you see on your body are a rupture of dermal collagen. Carboxytherapy creates new collagen, which thickens the skin and improves its appearance.
●     Cellulite: Carbon dioxide gas can also be injected into fat cells, which causes the cells to burst and be eliminated in the body. Cellulite is caused when subcutaneous fat protrudes through the skin. Several studies have found that carboxytherapy is both safe and effective when used to treat cellulite.
●     Under-eye circles: Dark circles under the eyes are usually caused by poor circulation, which creates vascular pooling. Injecting the gas under the eyelid reduces this bluish pooling and replaces it with a blush tone.
●     Alopecia: Alopecia (hair loss) caused by poor circulation can be treated with carboxytherapy as well.
What to expect after
When carboxytherapy is used to treat stretch marks and scars, it’s relatively painless. This is because scar tissue doesn’t have nerves. You may feel an itching sensation as the stretch marks are distended during the procedure. The itchiness should resolve in about 5 minutes.
People who use carboxytherapy for treating cellulite and fatty deposits may feel pressure during the injection, similar to the sensation felt during a blood pressure test. This is caused by the expanding gas.
Treated areas will feel warm and tingly after the treatment for up to 24 hours as the carbon dioxide gas does its job and circulation improves. But you should be able to perform your normal routine after the procedure is over.

How is carboxytherapy performed?

The specifics of the procedure will vary based on the part of the body being treated. But the mechanics of the procedure are mostly the same.
A tank of carbon dioxide gas is connected to a flow regulator with plastic tubing. The physician will carefully regulate how much gas flows from the tank.
The gas is emitted through the flow regulator and into sterile tubing that has a filter at the end.
The filter picks up any impurities before they reach the body. The gas then runs through a very small needle on the opposite side of the filter. The physician injects the gas beneath the skin through the needle.
The procedure is almost entirely painless. Some physicians rub numbing cream on the injection site before inserting the needle. Despite the lack of pain, some people report feeling a strange sensation briefly afterward.
Carboxytherapy is an outpatient procedure, and it usually only takes about 15 - 30 minutes to complete.

How do you prepare for carboxytherapy?

There’s no specific preparation before the procedure, though your physician may have special instructions depending on your circumstances.

What are the side effects of carboxytherapy?

Carboxytherapy is a relatively safe procedure with almost no side effects. People may have bruises at the injection site, specifically in the arms and legs. This bruising should clear up within a week.
People who get the procedure for fat reduction or cellulite also shouldn’t immerse themselves in water for 24 hours, including swimming or using a bathtub.

How long do carboxytherapy results last?

On average, patients enjoy the results of Carboxytherapy for 5-6 months, but your individual results will depend entirely on you. After your initial sessions, twice yearly treatments can help you maintain your results.

What are the dangers of carboxytherapy?

Pain, oedema and bruising of the injection area are often side effects of carboxytherapy. There are only a few reports of more serious complications such as subcutaneous emphysema or Mycobacterium infection.

Is carboxytherapy painful?

When carboxytherapy is used to treat stretch marks and scars, it's relatively painless. This is because scar tissue doesn't have nerves. You may feel an itching sensation as the stretch marks are distended during the procedure.

Is carboxytherapy permanent?

Results aren't permanent; expect to return for maintenance treatments every 6 months. Study of carboxytherapy in the U.S. has been limited, with few clinical trials attesting to its effectiveness, or even fully explaining how the treatment works.

What are the side effects of carboxytherapy?

Carboxytherapy is a painless treatment with minimal or no side effects. You might feel "pressure" as the gas is injected under your skin. In some cases, bruising can occur in the area of your injections, but this usually lasts less than a week.

Does carboxytherapy burn fat?

Carboxytherapy is effective in the reduction of localized fat in obese patients which is mechanistically associated with alteration of the vasculature involved in VEGF.

Can you exercise after carboxytherapy?

Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours. Avoid extensive sun or heat for 72 hours. Avoid consuming excess amounts of alcohol or salts to avoid excess swelling.

What are the benefits of carboxytherapy treatment?

Carboxy therapy helps boost skin's metabolism and the natural production of oxygen, providing deep down hydration. Skin looks dramatically brighter, fresher, even-toned, less-lined and supple after first use. This therapy is also effective for bruising, swelling and acne treatment.

How long does swelling last after carboxytherapy?

After a carboxytherapy treatment, there may be some mild puffiness if having the eyes treated and slight redness, which will subside within 24 hours. After a body treatment for stretch marks or cellulite, you may be red and sometimes a little swollen and usually subsides after 24 hrs.

Does carboxytherapy work on scars?

The carboxytherapy, constitutes an effective solution which enables to quickly and safely reduce visibility of scars. The associated side effects do not occur, or are minor.

Does carboxytherapy help dark circles?

The results of our study demonstrate that carboxytherapy is an effective technique providing slight improvement of the infraorbital dark circles. It is a painless technique. No complications were described if all the available devices were used correctly (including the transillumination device).