Carbon dioxide in its gaseous state promotes vasodilation and restores proper blood flow, thereby stimulating fibroblast activity and supporting cellular regeneration. As a result, the skin improves its appearance in terms of firmness and elasticity.
University studies and clinical research have demonstrated that carbon dioxide administered subcutaneously or intradermally has a therapeutic effect through:
- An action on the microcirculation, which is beneficial in the treatment of "cellulite" as it addresses the vascular component that characterizes the microcirculatory physiopathology of edematofibrosclerotic panniculopathy, improving tissue perfusion.
- A lipolytic action, useful for treating regional adiposity, as it targets excess adipose tissue by inducing the breakdown of intradipocytic triglycerides.
- An effect on the skin, improving oxygenation and elasticity, leading to dermal rejuvenation.
For these reasons, carboxytherapy finds its applications in:
- Plastic surgery
- Aesthetic medicine
- Dermatology
- Phlebology
- Anti-aging medicine
The applications of carboxytherapy in Aesthetic Medicine include the treatment of edematofibrosclerotic panniculopathy (EFSP - cellulite) and localized adiposity, skin rejuvenation (effect on skin laxity), and the treatment of dark circles and stretch marks.
Carboxytherapy is inadvisable in certain clinical conditions: severe respiratory, renal, hepatic, or cardiac insufficiency, severe anemia, severe arterial hypertension, tachyarrhythmias, previous cerebral stroke, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis, embolisms, and pregnancy.
This is an outpatient treatment performed through micro-injections, carried out in the areas affected by the aesthetic concern, using very fine needles inserted into a sterile disposable tube connected to a certified device. This computerized device provides a controlled, sterile, and customized delivery of CO2.
During the administration of the gas, a burning sensation is felt, which depends on the speed of the CO2 flow and individual sensitivity. After acting locally, carbon dioxide is eliminated physiologically through the lungs.
The side effects include transient bruising, fleeting local tenderness, at times a sensation of heaviness in the limb and mild subcutaneous crackling, while the occurrence of hematomas is less frequent.
The treatment is safe for the patient, as carbon dioxide is non-toxic, does not cause embolisms, and is compatible with the human body, which produces it constantly and eliminates it through the venous system via the lungs. The uses of this gas in surgery (laparoscopic procedures) and in diagnostics (colonoscopy) are well known in the medical field for their safety.
The treatment cycle involves 12-15 sessions on a weekly basis and can be repeated twice a year. The treatment duration averages around 20 minutes, and the return to normal activities is immediate.