Carboxytherapy Price and Procedure Guide

Maintaining youthful, resilient skin can often feel like a constant effort, especially when surgery isn't an option. As more people seek non-invasive treatments to refresh their appearance, the demand for effective, minimally invasive procedures continues to grow.¹

One such treatment gaining attention is carboxytherapy. This innovative procedure offers a promising alternative to surgery and addresses a variety of cosmetic concerns, from facial rejuvenation to reducing the appearance of cellulite and even treating certain skin conditions.²

What Is Carboxytherapy?

Carboxytherapy originally gained traction in dermatology around 1995 as a method of injecting gaseous carbon dioxide subdermally — into the tissues just below the surface of the skin.² This increases oxygen supply and stimulates collagen formation in the tissues.³

More recently, a topical gel form has also been developed that may offer the same benefits as the injectable version without the complications of an injection, but it is not yet widely available.³

Whether injected or applied topically, both forms of carboxytherapy work through a mechanism called the Bohr effect, which increases the oxygen (O2) availability in the tissues by increasing the size of the capillaries, thus increasing the blood supply and even supporting an increase of collagen and elastin production.³

Benefits

Carboxytherapy has numerous uses in both medical and cosmetic applications, including augmenting treatments for disease-related skin disorders such as those that result from diabetes and venous ulcers and alopecia.²

However, it is now used more widely in cosmetic and dermatological applications for rejuvenating the face, neck, hands, feet and parts of the torso.² It is also used to:⁴

• Reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation
• Reduce the appearance of cellulite
• Help body contouring (similar to the effects of liposuction)
• Reduce the appearance of stretch marks
• Reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes
• Smooth the appearance of atrophic scars (those caused by improper wound healing or acne)
• Reduce the severity of lymphedema (such as after cancer treatment that removes lymph nodes)
• Reduce the severity of inflammation in the skin disorder psoriasis

Carboxytherapy can also be used in conjunction with other cosmetic treatments to improve their efficacy, such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, injectable platelet-rich plasma treatment and photorejuvenation, to name just a few.³ Results vary on how effective carboxytherapy is for different uses. One review of literature that looked at multiple studies concluded that it is a “versatile technique [that] can be effective in a wide spectrum of skin conditions," with results often being visible immediately after a treatment. It is especially effective for skin rejuvenation, dark circles under the eyes, stretch marks and body contouring.²

How Much Do Carboxytherapy Treatments Cost?

Carboxytherapy ranges from around $75 to $200 per treatment based on factors such as the treatment site and the severity of the condition being treated.⁴

The number of treatments also varies quite widely depending on the results you and your practitioner are seeking. It's not uncommon to need between five and 20 sessions to treat many issues.⁴

Is Carboxytherapy Covered by Insurance?

Because carboxytherapy is most often considered cosmetic, it's unlikely that it will be covered by insurance.⁵ There may be instances where — if it is used to treat a disease or skin condition — some insurance providers may cover it, but you should always check with your insurance provider first.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Carboxytherapy is a good choice for anyone looking for a minimally invasive treatment that stimulates the body's own natural healing processes to address skin concerns such as cellulite, dark circles under the eyes, wrinkles and other common signs of aging.⁶

Suitable candidates for carboxytherapy should:⁷

• Be free from active skin diseases
• Be in good overall health
• Have no active infections in the treatment areas
• Not be pregnant or breastfeeding⁴
• Not have any serious medical conditions

How a Carboxytherapy Treatment Works

Carboxytherapy treatments typically require minimal preparation, though specific guidelines may vary depending on the individual practitioner.

Procedure

The general procedure for carboxytherapy begins with your practitioner connecting a tank of carbon dioxide gas to a flow regulator to make sure the appropriate amount of gas is released. That is connected to sterile tubing and a filter to remove any impurities, ending in a very tiny needle.⁷

The needle is inserted beneath the skin in the treatment zones, and gas is then pumped into the tissue. Each treatment should last about 15 to 30 minutes. While the procedure is considered painless, some people may experience discomfort or odd sensations as the gas enters the tissue.⁷

As noted earlier, the number of treatments needed varies, but it's not uncommon to need up to 25 sessions for significant issues, such as smoothing the appearance of cellulite.⁷

Recovery tips and timing

You can return to most activities immediately after carboxytherapy. The only exception is not to swim or take a bath for 24 hours after receiving the treatment for cellulite or body contouring.⁷

Possible Side Effects and Complications

It's natural to feel nervous about a treatment involving a needle and gas being injected into the skin, but carboxytherapy has been shown to be safe for people in good health and with no contraindications. However, some less common side effects can include:²

• Lipolysis, which can create a tired facial appearance
• Migration of the gas from a treatment area to a non-treatment area
• Subcutaneous emphysema (a very rare complication), causing bulging and/or pain, which can be treated or may resolve on its own⁸

Is Carboxytherapy Right for You?

If you're looking to treat a skin issue or rejuvenate your appearance without invasive surgery, carboxytherapy could be a great choice for you. It initiates your body's own healing processes and produces noticeable results quickly.

Financing Carboxytherapy With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting carboxytherapy or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GOBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, PayPal, The Washington Post and more.