What should you know about carboxy therapy for stretch marks?

Stretch marks, also called striae, are a type of scar that forms when the deeper skin stretches and its supporting fibres change. They can appear on the abdomen, hips, thighs, breasts, upper arms, or lower back, and may begin pink, red, purple, or dark before becoming lighter and more textured. They are common during growth, pregnancy, and changes in body size.

During carboxytherapy, a trained clinician uses a fine needle to place a controlled amount of carbon dioxide gas just beneath the skin. The area may feel tight, warm, or briefly sting, and small raised areas can occur while the gas disperses. The proposed aim is to influence local blood flow and skin repair, which may make the colour or texture less noticeable over a course of treatment. Older, pale stretch marks can respond differently from newer marks, and outcomes cannot be predicted from appearance alone.

Have the marks assessed before booking a procedure, especially if they appeared quickly, look unusual, or are accompanied by other skin changes. Tell the clinician about pregnancy or breastfeeding, medicines that affect bleeding, allergies, diabetes, skin infections, poor wound healing, and any history of raised scars. Do not inject carbon dioxide into an area with an active rash or infection.

Follow the provider’s aftercare instructions. Temporary redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or a crackling sensation under the skin can occur after needle-based treatment. Keep the area clean, avoid rubbing or picking it, and protect exposed skin from ultraviolet light while it settles. A clinician may discuss alternatives such as [Microneedling](/treatments/aesthetic-procedures/microneedling/), [Fractional Laser Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/fractional-laser-treatment/), or [RF Microneedling](/treatments/laser-and-energy/rf-microneedling/) when these better match the mark’s colour, depth, or location.

Contact the treating clinic promptly if pain, redness, warmth, or swelling is worsening rather than settling, or if you notice pus, fever, spreading discoloration, or an open wound. Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, facial swelling, faintness, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Arrange a medical review if stretch marks develop suddenly across several body areas without an obvious explanation, or if they occur with easy bruising, marked muscle weakness, or other new symptoms. A dermatologist can check whether the lines are stretch marks and whether a medical cause or different treatment needs consideration.

Ask which type and age of stretch mark is being treated, what degree of change is realistic, how many visits may be needed, and which temporary effects are expected. Also ask who will perform the injections, how the equipment and treatment area are kept safe, what alternatives suit your skin, and what symptoms should trigger a follow-up.