Carboxytherapy

A guide to understanding carboxytherapy

Carboxytherapy is a medical procedure that consists of the controlled infiltration of medical-grade carbon dioxide (CO₂) into different layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Its aim is to improve skin quality, optimise microcirculation and act on concerns such as cellulite, skin laxity or certain localised fat deposits.

The CO₂ used is medical-grade and is administered through specific devices that allow the volume, speed and depth of infiltration to be precisely regulated. In expert hands, it is a versatile and safe technique that can be applied both to the body and to the face, neck and décolletage, adapting the strategy to each clinical indication.

Body carboxytherapy

In body treatments, carboxytherapy is mainly used to treat:

• Cellulite on the buttocks, thighs and abdomen.
• Localised fat.
• Mild or moderate skin laxity.
• Fibrosis or skin irregularities after surgery.

CO₂ infiltration produces a transient increase in microcirculation and tissue oxygenation, stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis and has a lipolytic effect on small fat deposits.

As a result, progressive improvement in skin texture and tone may be observed, together with attenuation of the “orange peel” appearance and, in some cases, visible volume reduction in localised areas.

In selected patients, it may form part of combined protocols before or after procedures such as liposuction, with the aim of optimising the final result and improving tissue quality.

Carboxytherapy on the face, neck and décolletage

In the face and neck area, carboxytherapy is mainly aimed at improving skin quality and treating localised concerns such as:

• Dark circles with a vascular component.
• Mild under-eye bags.
• Fine laxity on the neck and décolletage.
• Dull or tired-looking skin.
• Atrophic scars, including some acne scars.
• Mild submental fat.

In these cases, treatment is performed in more superficial planes and with specific parameters. Improvement is related to the stimulation of microcirculation and activation of dermal remodelling processes, contributing progressively to skin that appears more luminous, even and firm.

“In general, the best outcomes are achieved by combining different therapeutic options and initiating treatment at an early stage”

How carboxytherapy works

At tissue level, CO₂ triggers several physiological mechanisms:

• Increased microcirculation and local oxygenation.
• Stimulation of collagen and elastin synthesis.
• Improved tissue drainage.
• Lipolytic effect on small areas of localised fat.

Clinically, these effects translate into improved skin quality, greater firmness and a reduction in superficial irregularities.

What happens during a carboxytherapy session?

No prior preparation is required. After the medical assessment, treatment is performed using microinjections with very fine needles and a device that precisely regulates gas flow.

Depending on the indication, CO₂ is infiltrated into different planes:

• More superficially, when the goal is to improve skin quality or fine laxity.
• Into the subcutaneous plane, when the aim is to act on localised fat or cellulite.

It is common to combine different planes within the same session in order to address several concerns at the same time.

Session duration depends on the area treated. Patients can usually return to their normal activities almost immediately.

How many sessions are needed?

The number of sessions is individualised after medical assessment.

For body treatments, an initial plan of one or two sessions per week over several weeks is usually prescribed, often completing protocols of 15 to 20 sessions depending on the indication and response.

For the face, neck and décolletage, cycles are usually shorter, generally between 4 and 8 sessions spaced every 2 to 4 weeks. In some cases, maintenance sessions may be recommended.

Results and combination with other treatments

Improvement is progressive.

For indications such as cellulite or laxity, changes become noticeable as the protocol advances and consolidate at the end of the recommended cycle. In the treatment of dark circles or skin quality improvement, the skin usually appears more luminous and even over the first sessions.

Carboxytherapy may form part of combined protocols with other medical or dermo-aesthetic techniques, such as mesotherapy, radiofrequency, shock wave therapy or lymphatic drainage.

At Grupo Pedro Jaén, we design personalised plans according to the diagnosis, skin quality and patient expectations, always prioritising a medical, evidence-based approach to optimise results.

Safety and possible side effects

When performed with medical-grade CO₂ by qualified professionals, carboxytherapy is a safe and well-tolerated procedure.

After the session, mild and transient effects may appear, such as redness, a sensation of pressure or slight oedema in the treated area, which usually resolve spontaneously within a short time. Small bruises may occasionally occur, as with any injectable technique.

There are relative and absolute contraindications that must be assessed individually, especially in patients with certain serious systemic diseases, significant coagulation disorders or active skin disease in the area to be treated.

For this reason, a prior medical assessment is always essential in order to confirm the indication and rule out possible risks.

More information

Below you will find the authorship and references for the information provided on this page: