Carboxytherapy is a treatment that uses infusions of carbon dioxide, a naturally occurring gas in the body, to treat cellulite, dark under-eye circles, and stretch marks. The treatment can be applied to various parts of the body, including the eyelids, neck, face, arms, buttocks, stomach, and legs. The procedure is often preferred over more invasive and high-risk methods, like liposuction, for fat and cellulite reduction.
Positive effects of carboxytherapy include:
- Improvement in circulation, skin elasticity, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Collagen repair and destruction of fatty deposits
- Reduction in under-eye circles by increasing blood flow to the eyelid
- Cell renewal, improvement of microcirculation, increase in blood flow, activation of tissue oxygenation processes and nutrients, and increase in natural growth factors
Carboxytherapy has also been used to treat erectile dysfunction, acute arthritis, Raynaud’s syndrome, and alopecia caused by poor blood circulation.
Negative effects of carboxytherapy include:
- Although many websites or providers claim carboxytherapy is safe and FDA approved, it has not been clinically tested or FDA-approved for these purposes
- The cost of the treatment can be expensive, with most people needing 7 to 10 sessions, and each session costing approximately $75 to $200
- Swimming and bathing in a tub should be avoided for 24 hours after treatment for cellulite or fat reduction
Ingredients or materials used in carboxytherapy include carbon dioxide gas, which is injected into the affected body site. Some carboxytherapy treatments may also include additional ingredients for skin care, such as those found in the Carboxy Therapy Restore Skin Care Kit. In rheumatology, carboxytherapy is used for musculoskeletal and rheumatologic diseases, for pain relief in arthritis, osteoarthritis, acute joint and spinal pain, and for the treatment of localized adiposities.
