CO2 therapy for the treatment of obesity and skin irregularities. Part 1

The transcutaneous or subcutaneous administration of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) for therapeutic purposes is referred to as CO₂-therapy or carboxytherapy. The effects of such administration of carbon dioxide are active arteriolar vasodilation, neoangiogenesis, the artificial Bohr effect, and a fat-splitting effect. The use of CO₂ is associated with its positive and documented effects on deficiencies of various etiologies.

Adipose tissue – it is a connective tissue composed of fat cells, stromal elements, vessels (blood and lymphatic), and a matrix of collagen fibers. Local obesity is the accumulation of fat in certain areas of the body. The goal of therapy is to reduce fat mass, so the use of CO₂ is prescribed either together with surgical procedures or separately if the patient refuses surgery.

Carbocystherapy or CO2 therapy – is a transcutaneous or subcutaneous injection of CO₂ for the purpose of treatment. It was invented in 1932 at the Royal Spa thermal station in Clermont-Ferrand (France), which specialized in carbon gas balneotherapy for the treatment of patients with obliterating arteriopathy.  

Italy has made a significant contribution to the study of this area. In 1964 Re and others published a monograph titled "Thermal Therapy in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases" which described the importance of using CO₂ in such diseases. In 1995, at the XVI National Congress of Aesthetic Medicine in Rome, Parasoni proposed the term "carbossiterapia" (carboxytherapy). Re and Passoni also developed the first CO₂.

injection machine.

Why CO2 therapy is effective for patients with peripheral arteriopathy

SO₂ – one of the main elements in the biological processes of animals and plants. It is released during the combustion of organic matter in the presence of sufficient oxygen to complete the oxidation process. It is an inert, colorless, odorless, non-flammable, inactive gas that is toxic only at high concentrations. At 0^oC CO₂ has a density of 1527 g/cm³ and a mass of 1977 kg/m² under conditions of normal pressure and temperature . It liquefies at a critical pressure of 73,825 bar and a critical temperature of 31.06^oC.  

Savin et al. in 1995 and Hartmann et al. in 1997 conducted experimental studies to confirm the changes caused by CO₂ at the level of microcirculation and skin. They demonstrated the beneficial effect of transcutaneous administration of CO₂ on the microcirculation of patients with peripheral arteriopathy.   

Following this, Brandi and others demonstrated the pharmacological properties of CO₂ in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine. Since histological data showed a positive effect of CO₂ on collagen fiber networks and underlying vascular and neural structures, the use of this technology was approved for the treatment of local fat deposits and skin irregularities associated with fat, or as an additional procedure. after superficial liposuction. In 2010, Li confirmed Brandi's findings and also described possible applications of CO₂-therapy in lipomatosis, wound healing and vascular acrosyndromes.

Effects of transcutaneous and subcutaneous CO administration₂

• active arteriolar vasodilation;
• neoangiogenesis;
• artificial Bohr effect;
• fat-splitting effect.

These properties can be used for healing:

• peripheral arteriopathy and vascular acrosyndromes;
• local obesity and skin irregularities;
• improve the aesthetic results of liposuction;
• chronic wounds.