Carboxytherapy for Under-eye Dark Circles
Carboxytherapy can dramatically improve the appearance of under-eye dark circles and wrinkles.
Carboxytherapy can dramatically improve the appearance of under-eye dark circles. Although sometimes caused by darkened pigment, or a hollow depression below the lower eyelids [tear trough deformity], the majority of under-eye dark circles are caused by poor circulation beneath the lower eyelids [vascular pooling].
Studies have shown that injecting a small amount of carbon dioxide gas just beneath the skin of the lower eyelid, circulation was increased and under-eye dark circles were markedly improved. The treatment takes only five minutes, and is virtually painless and risk-free. A series of 2-6 treatments spaced one week apart is all that is required to achieve a great result.
What is Carboxytherapy?
Carboxytherapy is the administration of carbon dioxide [CO2] gas for therapeutic purposes. Carbon Dioxide is the gas that gives carbonated beverages their “fizz.”
How does carboxytherapy work, in general?
Carboxytherapy takes advantage of a physiological principle known as oxygen off-loading. Carbon dioxide is naturally present in our bodies at all times and it is essential to the life processes of both animals and plants. With every breath, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.
Dark under-eye circles, cellulite, stretch marks and scars are believed to caused, at least in part, due to poor blood-flow to the region. By injecting a small amount of carbon dioxide gas into the area, we are “tricking” the body into increasing the oxygen flow to the area.
Discomfort is very minimal and brief; most patients compare the sensation to an insect bite. No sedation or local anaesthetic is required, and you will be able to drive and engage in all of your usual daily activities (even put on your makeup) immediately after your injections.
What other benefits occur from carboxytherapy?
In addition to increasing oxygenated blood-flow to the region injected, carboxytherapy also increases collagen formation in the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance.
How does carboxytherapy work for under-eye dark circles?
Although sometimes caused by darkened pigment, or a hollow depression below the lower eyelids [tear trough deformity], the majority of under-eye dark circles are caused by poor circulation beneath the lower eyelids [vascular pooling].
Studies have shown that injecting a small amount of carbon dioxide gas just beneath the skin of the lower eyelid, circulation was increased and under-eye dark circles were markedly improved.
How is the carboxytherapy treatment administered?
There are several machines that are used to administer the carbon dioxide gas, but the basic components are the same. There is a tank of carbon dioxide gas that is connected by plastic tubing to a flow-regulator. The flow-regulator slows down the speed of the gas according to the rate selected by the physician. The gas emerges from the flow-regulator into sterile tubing that has a filter connected at the exit to remove any trace impurities before the gas is run through a tiny needle attached to the opposite side of the filter. The pure gas is now ready to be injected beneath the skin via the tiny needle.
What does carboxytherapy feel like?
Carboxytherapy doesn’t hurt; it just feels a little “weird.” Because of differences in the techniques used to treat the eyelids, stretch-marks, scars, and fat deposits, the sensation is slightly different depending upon what is actually being treated.
When treating the eyelids, I tell my patients that the lower eyelids will feel puffy, like they were up crying all night, but that will subside once the gas is absorbed over the next five to ten minutes.
The treatment of stretch-marks and scars is relatively painless because this skin doesn’t have the same ability to sense pain. Some pressure from the gas may be felt as the stretch-marks are distended, and they can feel a bit itchy, but again this subsides in about five minutes once the gas is absorbed by the body.
Scars generally feel no pain because there are no nerves in scar tissue. The treatment of cellulite and fatty deposits on the arms, abdomen, and legs has a unique sensation of its own. This is because a larger amount of the gas is injected directly into the offending fat deposits and allowed to expand. While the gas is expanding, you may feel some pressure in the area being treated that feels similar to when the arm is squeezed by a blood pressure cuff. The areas will feel warm and tingly for up to 24 hours after the treatment as the circulation to the area is improved.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends upon the severity of the problem being treated. A series of 2-6 treatments spaced one week apart is all that is required to achieve a great result.
Are there any side effects associated with carboxytherapy?
The only real possible side effect of carboxytherapy is the potential for a bruise at the injection site. Usually, the eyelids can be treated without leaving any marks, making it a truly “no-downtime” procedure. Bruising is not uncommon when treating the arms and legs, so carboxytherapy might not be a good idea if you plan on wearing a bikini the following week during holiday.
Are there any risks associated with carboxytherapy?
There are no known risks associated with carboxytherapy. Carbon dioxide injection has been safely used for years to facilitate endoscopic surgeries of the abdomen. Carbon dioxide is also being injected directly into the bloodstream by invasive cardiologists for certain diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
How long does a typical treatment session last?
The average carboxytherapy treatment takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
How much does it cost?
Select this link for prices.