Carboxy Therapy
Episodes covering carboxy therapy — protocols, research, and expert discussions.
Subcutaneous CO2 injections to improve circulation, reduce dark circles, cellulite, and stretch marks via the Bohr effect
Carboxytherapy has limited but promising evidence for aesthetic applications. Best evidence is for dark under-eye circles and stretch marks, where multiple small studies show improvements. For localized fat reduction, effects appear transient - a rigorous RCT showed benefits at 1 week but not at 6 months.
The mechanism is well-understood (Bohr effect enhancing oxygen delivery), but the procedure is painful and not FDA-approved. Consider if you have specific aesthetic concerns that haven't responded to other treatments.
Science & Mechanisms
Mechanism of action:
- Based on the Bohr effect: increased CO2 causes hemoglobin to release more oxygen
- CO2 injection causes local vasodilation and increased blood flow
- Enhanced oxygenation stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis
- May trigger VEGF-mediated angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation)
- For fat reduction: may cause temporary adipocyte shrinkage (not cell death)
Key studies:
- Costa et al. (2023): Systematic review of 27 studies on cellulite and striae
- Tabaie et al. (2024): Clinical trial showing significant reduction in periorbital hyperpigmentation
- Lee et al. (2018): RCT showing fat reduction at 1 week but not sustained at 6 months
- Saleh et al. (2020): 8-session protocol improved stretch marks with collagen remodeling
Applications with evidence:
- Dark circles (periorbital hyperpigmentation) - moderate evidence
- Stretch marks (striae distensae) - moderate evidence
- Cellulite - limited evidence
- Localized fat reduction - transient effects only
- Wound healing - emerging evidence
Limitations:
- Most studies are small (10-30 participants)
- Not FDA-approved (as of 2018)
- Long-term durability of results unclear
- Mechanism for fat reduction appears temporary
Episodes
Lana Kerr, founder and CEO of Lumis, discusses the science behind carboxytherapy and her CO2 Lift products. Kerr explains how carbon dioxide gel delivery systems regenerate skin...
Lana Kerr discusses carboxy therapy as a solution for midlife vaginal health challenges. She presents double-blind study results showing CO2 Lift V's effectiveness for vaginal r...
Lana Kerr shares her journey from weight loss centers to discovering carboxytherapy and creating CO2 Lift. She explains how she first encountered carboxytherapy through a practi...
This evidence-based skincare episode covers trends including the CO2 Lift carboxy mask. The hosts discuss how carboxy masks use carbon dioxide to create a hyperbaric-like effect...