Who would have thought that carbon dioxide could improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and overall ageing? As I am well into my thirties and slowly losing elasticity and collagen, my decision to go on a skin health journey, became a priority.
I was told by the skin doctors at Skin Renewal that oxygen levels in the skin begin to drop by a staggering 25% by the age of 30 and by 50% by the time we reach 50, hence I felt a sense of urgency, If the skin does not get enough oxygen, we will most likely see it through signs of ageing in the form of age spots, redness and irritation.
Then, I was introduced to Carboxytherapy Facial Treatments, the process whereby a skin therapist injects carbon dioxide into my face.
Here is what my journey was like.
Why CO2?
Firstly, let’s start off with the why of Carboxy.
Carbon dioxide is injected into the skin to trick the body into thinking that there is a lack of oxygen to the target area. In turn, the body responds by increasing the blood flow and growth factors like Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a signal protein to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels. This improves circulation, and sends a surge of nutrients like oxygen to the area, resulting in cell restoration. With more oxygen flowing in the face, it also improves water retention, giving your skin that plumped-up, hydrated look.
The process
As a disclaimer, I should probably explain that I am not the type of person who is afraid of needles. I have a couple of tattoos and when I need a shot at the doctor’s office, I don’t flinch at the sight of a needle. However, if you are, brace yourself for Carboxy. My skin therapist, Sane was kind and warm and thoroughly explained what the process would feel like, so I knew what to expect because if I am completely honest, carboxy was one of the strangest procedures I had ever undergone.
Firstly, there were about 30 – 50 injections to the face – I thought there might be one or two in a session. Sane worked her way through one half of my face at a time and she warned me that it would feel like someone punched me, which scared me intuitively, but thankfully, it didn’t feel that way at all! While she was busy she gave me an option to compare the one side of my face that had the carbon dioxide and the other that was yet to be done, my face was swollen as if someone had hit me in the face. At one point, I was swollen up like a helium balloon, but about 10-15 minutes after the procedure was done, my face went back to its normal size.
While carboxy was being injected:
10mins after carboxy:
We are now at the one-week mark after my first carboxy and my skin is definitely more hydrated than it has been before.
The benefits of Carboxy
- Reduces fine lines
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Increased blood flow
- Increased collagen
- Decreased dark circles
- Tightened skin (after a few months)
- Improved brow ptosis
- Improved neck and saggy jowls
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Feature image: Pexels
