Carbondioxide is often blamed for global warming, but medically it is used to treat obesity. Treatment through carbondioxide or CO2 gas is known as as carboxy therapy. Carboxy therapy can trace its origins back to Royat, France. There, a group of cardiologists began to treat patients suffering from blood vessel disorders (atherosclerotic, Buerger’s disease, Raynaud’s disease, etc) with carboxy therapy. This treatment is all about the therapeutic use of carbondioxide gas administered into the skin.
Today, carboxy therapy is one of the best therapies to fight cellulite, excess body fat, flabbiness, and corporal and facial ageing. It is approved by the FDA, USA and European Community.
The best part about this is that it is a non-surgical method. Carboxy therapy is performed by using special equipment and carbondioxide is injected subcutaneously (into the skin) with a sterile thin needle similar to the ones used for insulin injections. CO2 works on the affected zone and is rapidly eliminated. The equipment allows regulating the speed of the CO2 flow, time of injection, and monitors the percentage of the administered dose.
How does the carbon dioxide work?
At the injection site, the CO2 penetrates in the form of gas and is easily spread to other tissues nearby, and keeps on doing its work by producing lypolisis (destruction of fat cells).
Carboxytherapy works in three complimentary ways. First, and quite simply, carbondioxide mechanically kills fat cells, by breaking off their membranes. Secondly, it also has a strong vasodilatory effect (causes widening of blood vessels) in the area. It also increases the percentage of oxygen in the tissue. Wider vessels mean bigger and stronger blood flow to the area. The increase in oxygen is important because it eliminates the built up fluid from between the cells. Thirdly, it improves the cutaneous elasticity, and induces a rejuvenation of the dermis.
Results can be seen immediately, the tissue improves, the skin is smoother and the affected zones become thinner. This way, cellulite is treated effectively and blood circulation is also improved. The end result is fewer fat cells and firmer subcutaneous tissue.
However, it is not useful in treating morbid obesity and intra abdominal fat. The procedure is not painful. Some patients can experience a light tingling sensation near the injection site. It disappears within a matter of seconds. As a result of the increased circulation, the area surrounding the injection site may feel warmer for 10 to 20 minutes. There are no restrictions on any activities after the treatment but one should avoid submerging in water for next four hours.
Written by
Dr Nandakishore Dukkipati, Head of the department of bariatrics, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
