Carboxytherapy

Carbon Dioxide Therapy or Carboxytherapy, the miracle gas, has been touted as the biggest beauty breakthrough since Botox, and is now available Clínica Privé.

 

Worldwide, Carboxytherapy is rapidly becoming known as the leading skin rejuvenation treatment. It is a safe, minimally invasive clinically proven method to rejuvenate, restore, and recondition the skin and treat wrinkles, laxity, cellulite and stretch marks. Therapy 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 and 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 basic 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 CO 2 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) for example 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. Long-term collagen is stimulated with more regular sheets of collagen laid down. A few months later dermal remodeling occurs with collagen contraction, leading to a tightening effect. Brow ptosis and saggy jowls and necks are improved. 
For fat reduction such as double chin, the heated gas at high volume is introduced deep in to 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 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 Wrinkles and sleep lines around the eye area are reduced due to collagen stimulation 

* Tightening the forehead area with strategically placed Carboxy injections modestly lifts hooded eyes. The open brow expression and brow lift is due to new collagen remodeling and contraction of the skin on the brow down the line 

* Skin texture around the eye area improves due to collagen stimulation

On the Face Carboxytherapy improves the following:
* Brow Ptosis is improved due to new collagen remodeling and contraction down the line 

* Skin wrinkling improves due to collagen stimulation

* Lip wrinkling improves due to collagen stimulation

* Saggy Jowls are improved due to new collagen remodeling and contraction down the line 

* Crepey necks improve due to collagen stimulation (normally a very difficult area to treat)

* Double chin is reduced due to fat reduction and skin tightening

* Fat or Flabby cheeks are reduced due to fat reduction and skin tightening

* Wrinkled ear lobes improves due to collagen stimulation

Additional difficult to treat problems improved by Carboxytherapy include:
* Wrinkled Décolleté rejuvenation due to collagen stimulation

* Acne Scars improvement if Carboxy is used as subcision which releases the scar and promotes collagen formation under the scar.

Alternative therapies for Carboxytherapy include:
* Psoriasis improvement 

* Before surgical procedures such as a surgical facelift to improve wound healing and tissue perfusion.

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 face lifts and eye lifts or blepharoplasties. The choices were fairly black and white; surgery or eye bags. Both areas were very difficult area to treat non-surgically. Now with the advent of novel devices 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 area and the younger the patient the better the result. Eight out of ten patients get 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. 
If thirty-year-olds+ opt for preventative non invasive procedures such as Carboxytherapy, a new trend will develop resulting in a much different type of ageing than older generations. 
Botox alternative: In addition, for those patients who are nervous about the effects of Botox®, new technologies such as Carboxytherapy offer an alternative to rejuvenation and improvement of crow’s feet and a more open eyed expression.

How can Carboxytherapy give back a youthful appearance and help the ageing process?
There are different types of skin and we all age differently. No matter how well we look after our skin, the inevitable ageing 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. 4 - 6 treatments of Carboxytherapy are needed 2-4 weeks apart. At least one yearly cycle is recommended.

Can Carboxytherapy be combined with other treatments?
Clínica Privé is excited to offer the next step in multi-modality therapy in treating facial rejuvenation. We call it Clínica Privé’s 3D Skin Rejuvenation, our signature non surgical laser face lift. Any treatment modality on its own can make a big difference, but in our eyes it’s not sufficient. As we age, our imperfections turn into multi-layered problems; Clínica Privé’s 3 D Skin Rejuvenation is one of the most effective non ablative skin rejuvenation solutions available and involves combining three clinical applications viz. LASER Skin Tightening, V-Beam LASER and Laser Genesis with Radiofrequency, Microdermabrasion, Carboxytherapy and Transdermal Mesotherapy with award winning growth factors for superior results. 
Separately each clinical application presents a powerful solution for the most in demand, fastest growing procedures with no downtime. This combination is one of the most widely used and most effective methods of achieving a significant aesthetic improvement within 2 to 6 months when the effects of collagen stimulation and remodeling become evident. 
At Clínica Privé Carboxytherapy is commonly performed with 3D Skin Rejuvenation, Lipodissolve, Transdermal mesotherapy and Carboxytherapy treatments for best non-surgical face lifting results. The popular Carboxytherapy helps prolongs the effects of injectable fillers and Botox ®. Treatments are administered 10 days after the Botox injections. 
At Clínica Privé, with combination treatments every 2 weeks, in 3 months we can take any skin and make it into almost perfect skin: luminous, smooth, blemish free and tight.

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 2 to 4 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 perfuses into the area, which undergoes 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 is excreted. The area should not be immersed in water for about 4 hours. The only side effect is that bruising can occur if one hits a vessel with the needle. However, this only happens in around two percent of patients. Patients can return to work immediately after treatment, a truly walk in, walk out procedure.

How many treatments are necessary?
Typically, on the face 4 to 6 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.

What is the cost of Carboxytherapy treatments?
With Carboxytherapy treatments, the prospects of more defined cheekbones and a sleeker jaw line and open brow area are all now possible but this usually comes at price. At Clínica Privé we have recognized this problem and have come up with a customized solution to make it more affordable for the average person by combining Carboxytherapy in an affordable package over a period of time. Carboxytherapy is also combined with the other procedures mentioned above in a long-term package. Our Carboxy Mesoglow facial includes the face, neck and décolleté and combines an AHA or Glycolic Peel with transdermal mesotherapy with growth factors. 
After a medical consultation, every client is provided with a fully customized yearlong solution dependent on the patient’s age, relevant skin problem, budget and expectations. The effects of each treatment is accumulative meaning that the results of each previous treatment is improved with each additional treatment and the best results come down the line when new collagen that is stimulated remodels and a further tightening effect is noticed.

Is Carboxytherapy safe?
The methods and indications for performing Carboxytherapy treatments have changed since the introduction of medical protocols and innovative built in safety devices. At Clínica Privé, a professional team evaluates whether the patient has any contra indications for doing a Carboxytherapy procedure. Certain pre existing medical conditions are precluded from having a Carboxytherapy procedure and thus it is essential to have a consultation before the treatment. 
The discomfort has decreased because the gas is heated during the procedure and all unwanted air is drained, as an important additional safety precaution. 
Because CO2 is non-embolic it is very safe if done with the correct protocols and a pre treatment medical consultation with a doctor. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the body and is not toxic even in elevated doses unless a pre existing medical condition exists
After a 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 on 30 000 + patients with no complications against conditions as persistent and difficult to treat such as cellulite, psoriasis, diabetic ulcers, venous insufficiency and stretch marks. 
Carboxytherapy has safely been used for many years and in thousands of patients in laparoscopic operations where large volumes of CO2 are used to insufflate the abdomen. The dosage utilized for aesthetic and therapeutic treatment is less 100cc/min and does not exceed more than 1,000cc of CO2. 
In normal physiology, our cells produce CO2 as a by-product of cellular respiration, the process of breaking down sugars or fats with oxygen.