Carboxytherapy

How it works

A fine needle delivers measured doses of CO2 into the superficial fatty layer. The body responds to the local rise in carbon dioxide by widening nearby blood vessels and increasing circulation, which is thought to improve oxygen delivery and stimulate repair processes. For dark circles, the idea is to improve blood flow around thin, vascular skin. For body areas, the aim is better skin quality rather than fat removal. A crackling sensation and a brief fullness under the skin are normal.

Who it may suit

• Mild under-eye darkness related to circulation or thin skin
• Skin quality over small body areas
• People who want a minimally invasive adjunct
• Those who accept a gradual, subtle outcome

The treatment day

1. Consultation. The doctor asks about the cause of the concern, since pigment, hollowing and vessels each respond differently.
2. Preparation. The area is cleaned and, for the face, numbing cream may be used.
3. Gas injection. Small amounts of CO2 are delivered through a thin needle at multiple points. The skin may bubble briefly.
4. Short observation. The area is checked for bruising and the course schedule is set.

Aftercare

• Expect tenderness or a dull ache that fades quickly
• Avoid massaging the treated area for a day
• Use sunscreen over the face
• Cover bruises with makeup if needed after the first day
• Report severe pain, swelling or skin color change

Things to know first

• Bruising, tenderness and a temporary crackling feeling are the most common effects
• Under-eye injections need care near the eye and should be performed by an experienced doctor
• Pregnancy, blood-clotting disorders, anticoagulant use and certain heart or lung conditions are usual reasons to avoid it
• Evidence for lasting change is limited and many people notice little
• It does not replace volume where there is a true hollow

How carboxytherapy compares with nearby options

On the dark circles page, carboxytherapy is a lighter-touch choice than under-eye filler. Filler changes shape by adding volume to a hollow, which suits shadowed tear troughs, while carboxytherapy has no volume effect and is aimed at circulation and skin quality. Choosing between them depends on whether the darkness is a shadow, a vessel color or pigment.

For body areas, the comparison is with RF and thermal contouring and with fat-dissolving injections. Those have clearer evidence for tightening or local fat reduction. Carboxytherapy tends to be considered a complement, with modest expectations.

If the shadow is deeply hollow or the darkness comes from pigment, other categories are a better first step, and people sometimes find carboxytherapy does not justify a long course.