Effectiveness of carboxytherapy in the treatment of cellulite in healthy women: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: Carbon dioxide therapy, better known as carboxytherapy, relates to percutaneous infusion of medical carbon dioxide with therapeutic approaches, and its use in the treatment of localized fat has demonstrated good results. Gynoid lipodystrophy, also known as cellulite, affects 80%-90% of women after puberty, especially in the buttocks and thighs. Its etiology is complex and involves multifactorial aspects. Its treatment and evaluation require the use of new technologies (more effective and low-cost approaches). The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of carboxytherapy in the treatment of cellulite in the areas of buttocks and posterior thigh.

Patients and methods: Ten women, 29±6.1 years, were selected and all of them received eight treatment sessions, with an interval of 7 days between sessions. Standardized digital photographs were used to assess the severity of cellulite, and panoramic images were collected by ultrasound diagnosis. The evaluations were performed before the first treatment (baseline) and 7 days after the last treatment session of carboxytherapy.

Results: After the treatment, there was a significant reduction (P=0.0025) of the cellulite from degree III to degree II, and this improvement had correlation with the improvement in the organization of the fibrous lines and the disposal of adipose tissue lines of the treated regions observed through the panoramic ultrasound images diagnosis.

Conclusion: Carboxytherapy is an effective technique of treatment of cellulite in the buttocks region and posterior thighs of healthy women.

Keywords: carbon dioxide; cellulite; gynoid lipodystrophy; localized fat; panoramic ultrasound; skin.

Figures

Figure 1

(A) Points of CO2 infusion; (B) position and angulation of needle placement for infusion, depth of ~10 mm (30 G × 1/2 inch size needle).

Figure 2

Cellulite degree evaluation according to generally accepted classification of cellulite, baseline (before) and 7 days after the last carboxytherapy session. Note: **P=0.0025.

Figure 3

Comparative photographic register of the aspect of cellulite. Notes: (A, C) Rear view of gluteus and posterior right thigh at baseline; (B, D) rear view of right gluteus 7 days after the last carboxytherapy session; (E, G) right side view at baseline; and (F, H) rear view of the right gluteus after the last session of carboxytherapy.

Figure 4

Comparative panoramic images of gluteal region. Notes: (A, C) Before treatment with carboxytherapy; (B, D) 7 days after the last session. Note the hyperechoic areas: bright echoes, highly reflective structures (white = dermis and fibrotic septa) and hypoechoic areas: sparse echoes, reflection, or intermediate transmission (gray = adipose tissue and skeletal muscle). The arrows indicate the areas compared and the decrease of the thickness of the fibrotic septa after treatment.

Figure 5

Comparative panoramic images of the posterior thigh. Notes: (A, C) Before treatment with carboxytherapy; (B, D) 7 days after the last session. Note the hyperechoic areas: bright echoes, highly reflective structures (white = dermis and fibrotic septa) and hypoechoic areas: sparse echoes, reflection, or intermediate transmission (gray = adipose tissue and skeletal muscle). The arrows indicate the areas compared and the decrease of the thickness of the fibrotic septa after treatment.