Carboxytherapy by Bella Viságe
Carboxytherapy has been touted as the biggest beauty breakthrough since injectables and dermal fillers and it’s now available in Lakeland only at Bella Viságe Medical Rejuvenation. It is a safe and minimally invasive procedure that is a clinically proven method to rejuvenate, restore, and recondition the skin. It also treats wrinkles, laxity, cellulite and stretch marks. The process involves injecting tiny amounts of Carbon Dioxide Gas (CO2) beneath the skin to break down fatty deposits and stimulate collagen production. The treatment has no downtime and a single session can take between fifteen minutes to an hour. In short, Carboxytherapy is a simple and safe procedure for beautiful, younger looking skin.
What is Carboxytherapy?
Carbon Dioxide Therapy or Carboxytherapy has been touted as the biggest beauty breakthrough since injectables and dermal fillers and is now available in Lakeland at Bella Viságe Medical Rejuvenation. Worldwide, Carboxytherapy is rapidly becoming known as the leading skin rejuvenation treatment. It is a safe, minimally invasive procedure. It is a clinically proven method to rejuvenate, restore, and recondition the skin. It also treats wrinkles, laxity, cellulite and stretch marks. The process involves injecting tiny amounts of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) beneath the skin to break down fatty deposits and stimulate collagen production. The treatment has no downtime and a single session can take between fifteen minutes to an hour. In short, Carboxytherapy is a simple and safe procedure for beautiful, younger-looking skin.
On the face, Carboxytherapy dramatically
- Brightens and firms the eye contour area
- Tightens loose skin
- Stimulates long-term collagen production
- Reduces a double chin by dissolving fat
How does Carboxytherapy work?
As we age, especially if there has been yo-yo dieting, subcutaneous capillaries become dormant with decreasing cells of oxygen; this combined with environmental stresses and other variables, inhibits the ability of cells to regenerate and function properly and the skin slowly loses its elasticity and collagen.
By the age 30, oxygen levels in your skin drop by 25% and 50% by age 40. The body naturally gets its oxygen through breathing, but factors like pollution reduce the levels. The body will first utilize oxygen in the major organs and lastly, go to the skin. When the skin doesn’t get enough oxygen it becomes more prone to aging, acne, redness, irritation and age spots.
Carboxytherapy infuses CO2 just beneath the skin’s surface; the body interprets this as an oxygen deficit and responds by increasing blood flow and growth factors such as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) which encourages production of new blood vessels. This provides a surge of oxygen and nutrients to the treated area and improves circulation, resulting in cell restoration. Increased oxygen concentration also improves the water retention or edema in the area.
For a dermal effect which reduces fine lines, wrinkles and stretch marks, this increased blood flow stimulates collagen, which will soften fine wrinkles and decreases dark circles under the eye. A few months later dermal remodeling occurs with collagen contraction, leading to a tightening effect. Brow ptosis (droopy eyelids) and saggy jowls/necks are improved.
For fat reduction such as double chin, the gas at high volume is introduced deep into the fat which then breaks up the fat cell and stimulates new vessels and rejuvenation.
What areas and problems are treated with Carboxytherapy?
Traditionally, the eye area has been difficult to treat, but with the advent of Carboxytherapy, this area can now be improved.
Carboxytherapy around the eyes improves:
- Dark circles by increasing the oxygenation of this poorly perfused area
- Eye bags are reduced by skin tightening and modest fat reduction
- Crows feet around the eye area are reduced due to collagen stimulation
- Hooded eyes are modestly lifted by tightening the upper lids with strategically placed Carboxy injections.
- Skin texture around the eye area improves due to collagen stimulation
On the face, Carboxytherapy improves
- Skin wrinkling
- Lip wrinkling
- Saggy jowls
- Crepey appearance of the skin on the neck (normally a very difficult area to treat)
- Double chin
- Fat or Flabby cheeks
Additional difficult to treat problems improved by Carboxytherapy include:
- Wrinkled décolleté
- Acne scar improvement
When should one start Carboxytherapy?
As one ages, the skin’s elasticity declines dramatically and gravity constantly pulls on our faces. Changes related to sun damage gravity become more pronounced and one of the earliest signs of facial aging is the development crow’s feet at the age of thirty, a double chin and flabby jowls at the age of forty and under eye bags at the age of fifty.
Previously there was no alternative to surgical facelifts and eye lifts or blepharoplasties. The choices were fairly black and white; surgery or eye bags. Both areas were very difficult to treat non-surgically. Now with the advent of treatments such as Carboxytherapy and skin tightening lasers and lights, virtually any patient in their thirties or above can be a candidate for a little tightening and firming around the eye and jowl. Eight out of ten patients get a noticeable improvement in skin laxity around the eyes after the first two treatments of Carboxytherapy and most will see an improvement in skin color, luminosity and texture.
How can Carboxytherapy give back a youthful appearance and help the aging process?
There are different types of skin and we all age differently. No matter how well we take care of our skin, inevitably aging will take place. One can maintain the “perfect skin” by keeping one’s skin firm and taught with collagen to avoid the inevitable sagging that takes place over time. Tighter, firmer skin supports the face and prevents the other soft tissues in our face and the muscles from sagging.
The new concept today is to start with tightening and collagen rejuvenation treatments early so as to and avoid or postpone surgical solutions for as long as possible. 6 – 8 treatments of Carboxytherapy are needed 2- 4 weeks apart. At least one yearly cycle is recommended.
What can one expect before and after a Carboxytherapy Treatment?
During the treatment, the sensation can be likened to a dull throb or pressure. This mild discomfort lasts less than 5 minutes. CO2 is 20 times more soluble than oxygen and it is easily and quickly diffused from the injection site to the surrounding tissue. After a treatment, the gas is totally reabsorbed within 5 minutes and the treated area will raise, turn slightly red as oxygen is perfused into the area causing an inflammatory response which stimulates collagen production.
After the procedure, there is no pain, just possibly a crackling sensation under the skin that lasts until the gas dissipates. The area should not be immersed in water for about 4 hours. The only side effect is that bruising can occur if a vessel is hit with the needle. Patients can return to work immediately after treatment, a truly ‘walk in-walk out’ procedure.
How many treatments are necessary?
Typically, on the face 6 to 8 treatments of Carboxytherapy sessions are required. Clients have a 30-minute session every 2 to 4 weeks and each treatment is accumulative. Maintaining beauty isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Rather than waiting until their problems are bothersome again, patients must appreciate that maintenance goes a long way and a touch-up session every 6 to 8 months should maintain results.
Is Carboxytherapy safe?
At Bella Viságe, a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner performs the procedure and the initial consultation to discuss the process of Carboxytherapy. Because CO2 is non-embolic it is very safe if done with the correct protocols and a pre-treatment consultation. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the body and is not toxic, even in elevated doses. After the treatment, the gas is totally reabsorbed within 5 minutes and the area treated returns to normal.
Widely distributed in Europe and South America, Carboxytherapy has been used safely and effectively for over 80 years, with no complications against conditions as persistent and difficult to treat such as cellulite, psoriasis, diabetic ulcers, venous insufficiency and stretch marks.
Carboxytherapy has also been used for many years and in thousands of patients in laparoscopic operations where large volumes of CO2 are used to inflate the abdomen.
Can all skin types be safely treated with Carboxytherapy?
Carboxytherapy safely treats all skin types without significant pain or downtime. It can erase years off one’s face and is one of the most effective methods of achieving a significant aesthetic improvement within 2 to 6 months when the effects of collagen stimulation and remodeling become evident.
