As I travel throughout the country conducting trainings sessions or leading what I call my " Age Defying" seminars I often perform consultations at these facilities and found that what I hear most often is, " I'm not asking to look 22 again I just want to look my best at the age I am right now", or is there anything I can do about the saddle bags I inherited from Mom? "

Throughout history the standards of beauty have greatly evolved and with them as well, the genetic predetermination dealt to us such as those stubborn saddle bags, love handles or even brown spots on the face and hands. As the world strives to mimic the tan skinned and thin yet supple bodies paraded about in Hollywood, technology has also evolved to correct sun damage and remove unwanted fat, hair, and veins.

As a trainer and MedSpa consultant I have had the opportunity to evaluate many of todays technologies and am proud to endorse Carbon Dioxide Therapy ( C.D.T. ) as one of todays most effective arsenals against aging including but not limited to the treatment of localized body fat, skin tightening, stretch marks, body sculpting and even cellulite. C.D.T. has also shown to be effective for treating unsightly veins on the legs. Please contact NuTec International at: onunez@nutecint.com for more information.

I have found that by combining this modality with Mesotherapy, it increases the benefits of Mesotherapy or HydroDissolve TM and helps to reduce the puffiness and bruising associated with this treatment. C.D.T. not only is effective but very reasonably priced compared to some of the other systems available today. I have seen C.D.T. combined with Thermage, LED and other skin tightening procedures. This helps the patient see results much faster. Thermage can sometimes be inconsistent with patient hoping for results for skin tightening and contouring of the face and body. And often times results are not seen for up to six months. We all know most patients want to see results... Now!

Did you know: By the age 30, oxygen levels in your skin drop by 25% And 50% by age 40. The body naturally gets its oxygen through basic breathing, but factors like pollution reduce the levels. The body will first utilize oxygen in the major organs and lastly go to the skin. When the skin doesn't get enough oxygen it becomes more prone to aging, acne, reddness, irritation and age spots.

Oxygen therapy ( also known as Carbossi and CDT therapy ) is a very effective arsenal against these negative factors by promoting collagen. CDT therapy activates enzymes and white blood cells in and around the damaged tissue. This helps to clear acne by destroying the bacteria causing the blemishes. Acne can not survive in oxygen. Please take the time to read the provided information below about this amazing technology. Be the first in your area to incorporate CDT therapy!

I have personally found nothing better for skin tightening, skin and vein treatments and body contouring as well as a powerful treatment for cellulite alone or in conjunction with HygroSculpt TM, IPL , and LED.

What is C.D.T.Therapy?

C.D.T. Therapy is the new, simple and proven technique that can greatly improve the appearance of cellulite and localized fat deposits, stretch marks, skin tightening, body sculpting, and all types of scars. This is done by increasing the local metabolism and Oxygenation to the tissue. This stimulates the fibroblast cells causing collagen resynthesis. The increase in oxygen is important because it eliminates the built up fluid from between the cells.

The end result is fewer fat cells and firmer subcutaneous tissue. Treatments are rapid, easy to perform, very comfortable for the patient as well as have a high rate of patient satisfaction.

Thanks go to Dr. Frank Johnson, Dr. Mary Ortega, and Gus Nunez Bio Engineer and president of Nutec International for helping provide me with the information below:

A note from Dr. Johnson , I have enjoyed teaching and sharing what I learn with my colleagues for more than 10 years now. This is why I am writing this introduction to Carbon Dioxide Therapy. I know it seemed hard to believe that there exists a safe yet effective non surgical therapy that treats so many different pathologies too doubted it. I now have more than three years using CDT in my private practice and I am comfortable to recommend it as adjunct to almost every procedure I do and as a primary treatment for cellulite, stretch marks, acne scar reduction and androgenic alopecia.

A note from Dr. Mary Ortega, I have used CDT therapy for over 5 years. My goal is to share this experience and inform my colleagues of a valuable tool in aesthetic medicine. As a doctor of aesthetic medicine I am ethically obligated to find a safe modality which meets the expectation of my patients. As of this writing, I have not read nor observed any long-term adverse side effects from the application of Carbon Dioxide Therapy (CDT). I know of no other medical treatment where there are no side effects.

How does CDT Therapy work?

Carbon Dioxide Therapy works in two complimentary ways. Firstly, and quite simply carbon dioxide lipolysis the fat cells. Secondly, it also has a strong vasodilatory effect (causes dilation of blood vessels) on the capillaries in the area. Wider vessels mean a greater volume of blood supply to the area, which means a greater volume of oxygen delivery. The increase in oxygen is important because it eliminates the built up fluid from between the cells and subcutaneous tissue. This is why C.D.T. therapy assists with the treatment of veins in the lower extremities, by flushing the trapped blood through the congested blood vessel. Returning the lower legs to a healthier condition.

C.D.T. consists in the therapeutic use of the CO2 in its gaseous state, by either percutaeneous gas bath or subcutaneous injection.
This Therapy was originally developed in France, at the thermal waters station of Royat. There, a group of cardiologists began treating patients with peripheral organic and functional arteropathies (atherosclerotic, Buerger, Raynaud, Etc.) In 1953, the cardiologist Dr. Jean Baptiste Romuef, published a paper with documenting his 20 year experience working with CO2 via percutaneous .

In 1956 another paper was published with 2400 cases of intermittent claudication and gangrene of the extremities treated by subcutaneous injection of an oxygen-carbon dioxide mixture (PMID 13335707). By1983, 402,000 patients had been treated in Royat via subcutaneous injections. In 1994 alone, more than 20,000 new patients were treated without a single negative long term side effect reported. The number of patients treated demonstrates the safety of this therapy.

How does the carbon dioxide work?

As we know, the CO2 is a non embolic gas and has no toxicity even in elevated dosages. It is hemo-soluble and does not increment the arterial pressure, or variations in the partial pressure of the oxygen. Here are a few facts to consider:
1. Our body produces approximately 200 cc/min of CO2 when at rest. That amount can be raised 10 times during exercise to 2,000cc/min. The dosage utilized for aesthetic and therapeutic treatment is less 100cc/min and does not exceed more than 2,000cc of CO2.
2. Thousands of Laparoscopic procedures are performed each day around the world in which large volumes of CO2 are used (about 12 to 20 liters) to distend the abdomen. The mortality rate of Laparoscopic surgery is less than .001% and this is not the result of CO2 toxicity.
3. Carbon dioxide is so safe that it is used as an alternative contrast medium in peripheral angiography.
4. Each cell of our bodies produces CO2 as a by product of cellular respiration; the process of breaking down Sugars or fats with oxygen

So How Does CDT work?

The human body is able to detect when CO2 is injected due to the increase in the partial pressure of the CO2 present Our body responds to the increase of CO2 by producing artery and capillary vasodilatation and thus improves blood flow to the subcutaneous fat- this is the first mechanism involved in triglyceride and FFA mobilization which increases fat metabolism.
With the increase blood flow hemoglobin begins to off load oxygen as there is a decrease in the binding between the hemoglobin and oxygen in the presence of CO2 (Haldane Effect) there by increasing tissue oxygenation (Bohr Effect) this creates a favorable oxidative lipolitic effect in the adipose tissue.

What is the Bohr Effect?

To answerer this adequately I will defer to the Wikipedia, Encyclopedia available on the internet.
The Bohr Effect is a property of hemoglobin first described by the Danish physiologist Christian Bohr in 1904. Because of the Bohr Effect, an increase in blood carbon dioxide level, a decrease in pH or increased temperature causes hemoglobin to bind to oxygen with less affinity.

This effect facilitates oxygen transport as hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs, but then releases O2 in the tissue that has the greatest need of oxygen. When a tissues metabolic rate increases, its carbon dioxide production increases. The carbon dioxide is quickly converted into bicarbonate molecules and acidic protons by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase:
CO2+H2O=H*+HCO3-
This causes the pH of the tissue to decrease, and so increases the dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin, allowing the tissue to obtain enough oxygen to meet its demands.

The dissociation curve shifts to the right when carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, or hydrogen ion concentration is increased. This facilitates increased oxygen dumping. This makes sense because increased CO2 concentration and lactic acid build-up occur when the muscles need more oxygen. Changing hemoglobins oxygen affinity is the bodies way of adapting quickly to this problem.

Indications for CDT include:

Angiology: Peripheral arteropathies / microangiophaties
Urology: Erectile Dysfunction, associated with microangiophaty
Dermatology: Psoriasis, Varicose Ulcers, Antigenic Alopecia (New!)
Rheumatology: Acute arthritis and sport medicine, pain reduction.
Aesthetic Medicine: Reduction of Local Adipose Fat, Improve Skin

Articles published:

Irregularities (Cellulite), and as a complement to Liposuction, Skin Laxity (Abdomen), Reduce Facial Ptosis, Reduce Stretch Marks, Reduce Acne Scaring.
Recently Published in U.S. medical journals
Carbon Dioxide Therapy: Effects on Skin Irregularity and Its Use as a Complement to Liposuction: Cesare Brandi et Al. - Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2004
Carbon Dioxide Therapy in the Treatment of Localized Adiposities: Clinical Study and Histopathological Correlations: Cesare Brandi et Al. - Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2001

For Localized adiposites:

CDT us used to more effectively treat localized fat pockets following HydroDissolve. The Carbossi device (from NuTec International) is an electric programmable pump which and controls rate of the CO2 injected. The device is designed to regulate the flow and also measures the resistance pressure as well as the total dosage administered in each session. Carbossi has CE medical approval and is registered as an errigtor gas pump with the FDA. Medical grade CO2 must utilized is also used and can be purchased anywhere in the U.S. with a doctors prescription. For localized adiposities subcutaneous fat. CO2 is 20 times more soluble than oxygen, it is easily and quickly diffused from the injection site to the surrounding tissue.

For the treatment of Cellulite and Lipo-dissolve:

There is a general consensus that cellulite has its origins in microcirculatory alterations. We know that blood flow mediates the metabolic functions of adipose tissue. If we increase the blood flow via CDT, than we increase the metabolic activity in the adipose fat layer. I ask my patients not to eat 1 hour before or after treatment to maximize the metabolic effect of the gas. After several sessions a noticeable difference will be observed. A more noticeable result can be achieved sooner if CDT is combined with Mesotherapy or Hydro-Carbossi which is the use of CDT therapy immediately following a HydroSculpt or Mesotherapy for skin rejuvenation or cellulite. The added hydration after HydroDissolve will improve the C02-hemoglobin reaction resulting in hyper oxygenation of the tissues and therefore improve the circulation and the glycerides expulsion/mobilization from fat cells.

How many treatments are necessary for the treatment of localized fat and skin tightening?

Normally, between six to eight treatments are necessary depending on the amount of fat being targeted or the amount of laxity to the skin. An equally important influencing factor depends on how pro-active the patient is with diet and exercise.

How many treatments are necessary for the treatment of cellulite?

Patients may begin to notice results after just 2-3 treatments, on average eight to twelve treatments depending on the patients goals. You will see that your skin looks noticeably healthier in around 5-6 treatments. Cellulite is far more stubborn and requires more treatments. Around the 6 to 8 session mark, you will appreciate that your subcutaneous tissue is firmer. By the end of the treatment program you will have greatly diminished cellulite texture and a healthier firmer skin tone.

What should be avoided after treatment?

Avoid emerging in water for 4 hours after the treatment such as baths, swimming, or saunas.