Carbon Dioxide is much blamed for causing global warming, but it is now medically used in Carboxy therapy to treat stretch marks, wrinkles, scars, cellulite and obesity.

What is Carboxy Therapy?

Cutaneous and subcutaneous administration of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) for therapeutic purposes is called Carboxy therapy.

Carboxy therapy is the latest non-surgical therapy to remove stretch marks. It is approved by FDA, USA and European Community.

How Carboxy Therapy is performed?

In this therapy CO2 gas is administered into the skin. It is a non-surgical method. It is done using a special equipment and Carbon Dioxide is injected subcutaneously (into the skin) with a sterile thin needle similar to one used for insulin injections.

CO2 works on the affected zone and is rapidly eliminated. The equipment allows regulating the speed of CO2 flow, time of injection and monitors the percentage of the administered dose.

This therapy is not painful. Some might experience light tingling sensation near the injection site which disappears within a matter of seconds. The area surrounding injection site may feel warmer for 10-20 minutes due to increased circulation.

How does Carboxy therapy work on Stretch Marks?

At the injection site, CO2 penetrates in the form of gas and is easily spread to other tissues nearby.

Carboxy therapy works in 3 complimentary ways

1.    Carbon Dioxide mechanically kills fat cells by breaking off their membranes
2.    It causes widening of blood vessels in the area. Wider vessels mean a stronger blood supply, which brings a rush of oxygen and nutrients to the treated area. This also eliminates built up fluids from between fat cells.
3.    It improves the cutaneous elasticity and induces rejuvenation of dermis layer of the skin where stretch marks, scars, wrinkles exist.

Results can be seen immediately, the tissue improves, the skin becomes firm and smoother; stretch marks, wrinkles and scars start fading and the affected zone becomes thinner.

Is this suitable for both new and old stretch marks?

Newer stretch marks can be removed very fast through this therapy. It is very effective on even older stretch marks.

The results on stretch marks and scars through this therapy are said to be permanent.

Usually stretch marks are treated once a week for two to three weeks, though sometimes only one session is needed.

Old stretch marks might need three or four treatments at three-weekly intervals.

Side effects

As Carboxy is a very new therapy used for stretch marks, long term effects are not known. But it is said to be very safe without any side effects.

Carboxy Therapy Cost:

Cost varies from country to country and it even depends on the areas to be treated and the doctors.

But as per online feedback from people who underwent this treatment for stretch marks, each session cost between $100 to $500.

Carboxy Therapy on Stretch Marks – A Testimonial

Leah Hardy, 44, a journalist, lives in South-East London with her husband Chris and two children, aged six and two. She had Carboxy Therapy  treatment for stretch marks on her stomach and thighs. Leah says:

“Each time I was pregnant, I put on three stone. After the babies were born, I was disappointed to find I had livid red marks running from my bikini area halfway up to my belly button. I also had stretch marks on my upper thighs.

The marks had faded to silver and purple, but they were unattractive, indented and put me off wearing a bikini. I remember catching sight of my stomach in the mirror as I put on jeans and thinking it looked like crinkly old ruched blinds!

Dr Nabet explained Carboxy was most effective on newer stretch marks which are still red. These are treated once a week for two to three weeks, though sometimes only one session is needed. Old stretch marks need three or four treatments at three-weekly intervals.

During my first 15-minute visit, I had 15 injections into the top of each thigh and 15 in my stomach. It was fascinating to see the gas bubbling under my skin, travelling down the line of each mark. I couldn’t feel it at all.

Most of the injections were painless. I ended up with 15 tiny bruises on each thigh, but they disappeared in 48 hours.

I was told I’d see some effect the next day, and more in ten days. The results really surprised me. Many of the stretch marks on my thighs had almost vanished. The ones on my stomach were less noticeable, thinner and more skin-coloured.

I had a second treatment two weeks later. It took ten minutes, there were no bruises, and ten days later my stomach looked even better.
OK, I still have some stretch marks, but not only are they far less obvious, the texture of my mum tum is tighter and less crinkly.

I plan to have one more treatment, then maintenance in a few months’ time.

For anyone bothered by stretch marks, this quick and relatively inexpensive treatment is worth considering.”

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

After a treatment session, there are no restrictions on any activities but one has to avoid submerging in water for next 4 hours.

Stretch marks are caused by the sudden expansion of the skin that may be brought about by pregnancy, growth spurts, rapid weight gain, and hormones. Many people who have stretch marks go out of their way to hide the unwanted scars.

Some people forego some activities that would require them to expose certain body parts such as swimming. And yet, the most significant effect of stretch marks is on the self esteem of the person, causing unnecessary anguish and distress.

However, there are a number of products and procedures available in the market today to effectively remove stretch marks. Take time to know the options presented below to help you decide which one would best suit you.

Laser Surgery

If you are looking for fast solutions, laser surgery has been known as the most effective procedure to remove stretch marks. Unlike creams and other topical applications which can take a while to show significant effect, laser surgery only requires you to undergo the procedure for several sessions.

The main downside of this alternative is the fact that can be quite expensive and may be painful, especially for people with low pain thresholds.

Stretch Mark Creams

If you are looking for topical creams to help remove stretch marks, there are a number of brand of stretch marks creams available today. Among the most popular one is Revitol Stretch Mark Cream.

Like ordinary lotion it is applied directly on the skin in a circular motion. These products often contain high contents of collagen, vitamin E and elastin.

Stretch Mark Prevention Methods

As most people would say, prevention is definitely better than cure. This means, you don’t have to wait for the stretch marks to mar the beauty of your skin before you do something.

Early on, it is important to maintain the skin’s moisture levels. This includes application of products that stimulate the production of collagen in the skin, such as cocoa butter and drinking ample amounts of water. This would greatly help in ensuring that your skin stays elastic enough to handle expansion without causing damage to the skin.

Indeed, unsightly stretch marks can cause anxiety, but something you can prevent. While there are a number of products readily available to remove stretch mark, it is still best to take precautionary measures to maintain and preserve your skin from flaws.

To truly understand stretch marks, it is best to get down on the basics. Research shows that due to the break down and stretching of collagen, stretch marks are formed. Basically, elastin and collagen are primarily found on the skin’s second layer known as the dermis.

Collagen has a big role!

Since collagen is a structural protein, it has a great role in supporting the skin’s tissues and cells and even in the bone structure. It makes up about 75 % of the skin, the damage in the collagen fibers or even the decrease in its production can lead to a number of skin appearances, mainly stretch marks, wrinkles, and aging skin.

Collagen Breakdown – Reasons

For women, stretch marks occur more often during pregnancy. This is mainly because the hormones soften the collagen on the skin in order to prepare and accommodate for the growth and development of the baby in the tummy. However, these hormones can also lead to the formation of stretch marks. Aside from the physical damage it causes due to pregnancy and weight gain, there are other factors that contribute to the breakdown to healthy collagen; stretch marks may only be one of its results.

Direct exposure to sunlight for one can prove to be highly detrimental to the production of the collagen on the skin. Hence, if you should be under the sun for extended periods of time, a sunscreen is highly important to provide your skin the necessary protective layer. Free radicals are also a contributing factors that affect the collagen production on the skin and causes premature aging and advance development of wrinkles and yes, stretch marks.

How to stimulate Collagen production?

If you have reached this part of the article, this you may have drawn the conclusion that in order to maintain soft, supple skin, it is important to nourish collagen. Stretch marks are merely one of its repercussions.

The best way to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin is by removing the dead skin cells on its surfaces in order to encourage the growth of new skin cells. The application of poly-hydroxy and hydroxy acids along with exfoliation is one of the best wayt to go about removing the dead skin cells.

There are also some commercial skin creams that are specifically formulated to stimulate and trigger collagen synthetics.

Read more on  Stretch Marks Creams

It you are battling with weight problems like many people, then you may have become fairly familiar with two of the most common woes – cellulite and stretch marks, both of which can manage to mar the otherwise perfectly nice skin.

Cellulite stretch marks are closely related to body weight mainly because, cellulites are identified as those lumpy fat bulges that come with weight gain. It  has been known to be one of the contributing factors that causes the formation of stretch marks. However, some people think stretch marks and cellulites are one and the same.

Cellulites Vs Stretch Marks

To best differentiate the two, we start off with determining the causes.

ellulites primarily form due the buildup of water and fat under the skin and are usually found on various areas of the body.

But stretch marks are caused by the stretching of the skin beyond its elastic limited for prolonged periods of time. This can be brought about by pregnancy, puberty and weight gain, the latter as the particular category cellulite stretch marks fall under.

How to get rid of Cellulite Stretch Marks?

Prevention is said to be better than cure. This also holds true when dealing with cellulite stretch marks.

• By maintaining an average body weight, you will be able to significantly lessen the changes of its formulation.
• Skin creams and surgeries: For those who already have these marks, the application of skin creams have been known to help diminish its visibility. For those wanting instant results, there are also some non-invasive surgical and dermatological procedures that can be performed to rid those unsightly marks.
• Remember that in dealing with this particular problem, the first line of defense is through having a healthy lifestyle to protect your body fat buildup and obesity.
• It is also important to keep your skin properly moisturized to maintain is elasticity.

The great news is, when it comes to cellulite stretch marks products, you don’t really need to look far and wide. This is simply because there have been a proliferation of products in the market today that are specifically designed to treat stretch marks. You see, while you may feel like your skin may have been cursed for life, many people actually share the very same problem with you.

When and where Stretch Marks occur?

Though the problem of stretch marks is very common with women, even men develop stretch marks. Stretch marks commonly occur during puberty, during and after pregnancy and when one gains or loses weight fast.

These ugly stretch marks white marks usually appear on stomach, back, buttocks, thighs, arms and breasts.

How do stretch marks occur?

When our skin stretches beyond a limit, the inner layer of the skin, dermis, tears resulting in thin red lines first which later convert into unsightly white striae or stretch marks.

Sudden skin expansion results in damage of skin cells that later lead to split or crash in the middle layers of the skin causing hideous stretch marks.

Though these occur when our skin expands (during puberty, sudden weight gain, pregnancy etc) they come out hideous when the skin starts contracting (after pregnancy, weight loss etc).

Stretch Marks Prevention and Removal – some must know facts

Prevention of stretch marks is very easy as compared to removal stretch marks. There are many easy to follow home remedies to prevent stretch marks. If you are looking for easy way out, with any brand of the genuine stretch mark prevention cream one can prevent or avoid stretch marks.

But only few creams can really deal with removing stretch marks that have already appeared. When the stretch marks are very old say 4-8 years, getting rid off them would be highly challenging. However, it’s possible to fade them away with few powerful stretch mark formulas slowly without going for any surgery.

Yes, tummy scars don’t have to be a part of the pregnancy. But what can you do to effectively prevent it and possibly look forward to going back to wearing swimsuits after your pregnancy? While there are a number of factors that trigger stretch marks such as genetics, following some guidelines can go a long way in putting the odds on your favor.

First, it is important to follow a healthy and balanced diet. This is significant to help you maintain well within the recommended weight gain of 25-35 pounds and at the same time keep the excellent nutritional status of your baby. With the controlled weight gain, you can avoid wild weight upswings and instead allow your skin to gradually adjust to the steady skin expansion.

Another important tip to prevent stretch mark from forming is by using a soft body brush or washcloth to gently massage the tummy and other stretch mark-prone areas of the body to increase circulation. It is also important to drink plenty of water to skin the skin hydrated.

As you may have already deduced, keeping the skin’s moisture levels is very important in the prevention of stretch marks, especially during the start of the second trimester and all throughout the post-pregnancy recovery period.

There are a number of oils and lotions available in the market today that are specially formulated for the prevention of stretch marks. Aside from keeping the body moisturized, it also helps in the production of collagen, which is essential in keeping the skin elastic and supple to accommodate anticipated stretching of the tummy during pregnancy.

Careful planning and preparation is important during pregnancy. While it can be easy to get caught up with baby preparations, do not forgot to consider the changes that your body would undergo. Making a few adjustments and considerations can definitely make a world of difference to prevent stretch mark, most especially when its time to regain your natural body weight and figure before the pregnancy.