Eye bags without Surgery
Carbon dioxide therapy, known commercially as Carboxy therapy, is the use of medical grade carbon dioxide to treat localised fatty deposits. The carbon dioxide is infused percutaneously, that is through the skin. As well as treating gynoid lipodystrophy, also known as cellulite, it can also be used to target the fatty deposits result in eye bags.
The technique of using carbon dioxide the treatment of patients began in France in 1932. Then carbonated hot water bath used to help promote blood flow for the treatment of blood vessel problems and ulcers. Treatment has moved from topical application to direct delivery below the skin. This ensures better and quicker results.
Several studies have shown the effectiveness of carboxytherapy in reducing fat stores of the abdomen, thigh and knee. Although the exact mechanism by which this occurs is debated studies have shown carboxytherapy results in increased blood flow and temperature. It is felt that this improvement in the microcirculation helps dissolve fat from the affected areas.
Adipose tissue (fat) is an important structure around the eyes and helps support the muscles. With ageing this fact can lose its tight structure due to changes in the microcirculation, extracellular matrix and the fat cells themselves. This can cause the fat to migrate into the space below the eyes causing eye bags. This potential space also allows fluid to accumulate, exacerbating the appearance of swelling, saggy or loose skin as well as dark circles together referred to ‘eye bags’.
A hugely common problem the treatment of eye bags has seen significant targeting by beauty industry with an ever increasing range of creams available. Some of these creams provide skin tightening, although this effect is short lived. Others claim to reduce the appearance of swelling and dark circles. From a clinical perspective it is difficult to understand the mechanism of action given that in order to dissolve fat accumulation these creams would first need to pass through the skin without causing damage.
From this author’s point of view there are only two treatments are guaranteed to reduce the appearance of eye bags. The first is surgery, known as blepharoplasty, can be used to target both saggy skin and the accumulation of fat in both the upper and lower eyelids. The second is carboxytherapy that is effective in addressing the fatty accumulation in the lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which can produce excellent results however there is often considerable bruising and swelling post-operatively.
In recent years there has been a s
ignificant increase in non-surgical aesthetic treatments. At the same time we have seen a decrease in cosmetic surgery due in part to the risks of surgery, the cost and the recovery time (also known as ‘downtime’) but also due to the excellent results from nonsurgical treatments. This is a pattern seen in many aspects of medicine were advances in treatments have led to less surgery with similar results.
Carboxytherapy for eye bags involves the direct administration of medical- grade carbon dioxide by a doctor through the skin. Although some mild discomfort and occasional bruising occurs it is significantly less than surgery requiring no time off work. Treatment time is approximately 30 minutes with an average of 10 sessions required to achieve a noticeable result.
The increasing popularity of non-surgical cosmetic treatments (a.k.a. medical aesthetics) has resulted in increased numbers of Doctors and allied healthcare professionals such as nurses and even physiotherapists offering these treatments. While treatments such as botulism toxin and dermal fillers are not technically difficult to administer it takes many years of experience to deliver professional results.
One way to determine the experience of your practitioner is to look at the range of treatments that they offer. Generally those practitioners of a lesser technical ability tend to stick to the simple treatments such as botulism toxin and steer clear of the more advanced treatments such as PDO threads, carboxytherapy, PRP etc.
Of course there are ways of trying to improve the appearance of eye bags without medical intervention. It has long been known that allergies, smoking or a lack of sleep all have a negative effect on the appearance of eye bags. Genetics is also a factor, but unfortunately one patient has no control over. Fluid retention secondary to medications, high salt intake or the pooling of fluid during sleeping can all make eye bags appear more prominent.
Do you want to learn this technique? Dr Olha offers training via Cosmetic Courses for Doctors, Nurses and Dentists.
