What areas can be treated?
Any area that has the typical skin dimpling (orange peel appearance) of cellulite can be treated with carboxy therapy and mesotherapy. Typically, these areas are the upper thighs and buttocks.
Who is a good candidate for treatment?
Any patient with cellulite that bothers them is a good candidate for treatment. Most patients affected by cellulite are female, although cellulite can sometimes affect male patients as well.
What does a treatment entail?
The area to be treated will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
Carboxy therapy involves the insertion of tiny needles at regular intervals. These are attached to a thin tube which allows carbon dioxide gas to enter the tissue. Carbon dioxide is a safe and inert gas which displaces oxygen in the treatment area. Your body recognises this localised oxygen deficit and responds by increasing blood flow to the area and lymphatic drainage from the area.
Mesotherapy involves multiple, small injections of active substances at regular intervals just under the skin in the affected area. These solutions contain ingredients such as L-carnitine and adrenalin which are known to stimulate blood flow and improve lymphatic drainage of the localised area.
Is there pain and downtime?
Carboxy therapy and mesotherapy are both uncomfortable due to the small needle pricks involved, although most patients find the discomfort minimal and quickly get used to it. A feeling of pressure in the treatment area will also be felt with carboxy therapy, which dissipates almost immediately.
Small needle prick bruises may occur. These typically resolve within a few days.
What do I need to do afterwards?
No specific aftercare is needed but we advise you to make lifestyle changes to help increase blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, and decrease water retention which worsens the appearance of cellulite. These include:
- Increase your water intake.
- Increase your amount of cardiovascular exercise.
- Decrease caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Daily dry brushing of the affected area with a cellulite body brush.
- Daily use of a cellulite cream.
When can I expect to see results?
Most patients see an improvement in their cellulite within three weeks of starting a treatment programme.
How many treatments do I need and how often?
A typical treatment regimen for carboxy therapy or mesotherapy consists of two treatments a week for an initial 6 week period, followed by a maintenance treatment every second week.
