Beauty Industry & Med Spa
Carboxytherapy (CO2 Injections)
Street names: Carboxy, Carbon dioxide therapy, CO2 injections
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Mild temporary skin tightening/vascular effects; evidence for cellulite weak
⚠Key risks
- GAS EMBOLISM RISK: injecting gas intravascularly (wrong depth) can cause air embolism — stroke/heart events documented with similar devices
- Bruising, pain, subcutaneous emphysema (crackling gas under skin)
- Off-label use with no standardized protocol
- Unlicensed spa administration
✚Overdose signs
- Air embolism signs: sudden chest pain, breathlessness, confusion — emergency
- Crackling swelling under skin
Category comparison — Beauty Industry & Med Spa
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carboxytherapy (CO2 Injections) | Off-label/unapproved for cosmetics US; medical use | GAS EMBOLISM RISK: injecting gas intravascularly (wrong depth) can cause air embolism — stroke/heart events documented with similar devices; Bruising, pain, subcutaneous emphysema (crackling gas under skin) | $75–$250 per session |
| Botulinum Toxin (Botox) | Rx-only biologic | BLACK-MARKET BOTOX: counterfeit vials, overdosed units, and fake 'Botox parties' cause drooping, asymmetry, swallowing/breathing difficulty; Injection into wrong muscle: eyelid ptosis (drooping eye), uneven smile — lasts weeks-months | Legit: $10–$15 per unit |
| Dermal Fillers (HA & Biostimulators) | Rx-only devices | VASCULAR OCCLUSION — the big one: filler injected into an artery blocks blood flow → skin necrosis (black dying skin) or BLINDNESS (filler migrating to eye artery; ~300+ documented cases); Unlicensed injector + no hyaluronidase on hand = occlusion becomes catastrophe | Legit: $500–$2,000 per syringe |
| Black-Market Silicone Injections | Illegal for body contouring | BODY HORROR: industrial-grade (not medical) silicone causes granulomas, chronic inflammation, silicone migration to lungs/kidneys; Multiple documented DEATHS from embolism (silicone entering bloodstream) | $500–$2,000 per 'session' at pumping parties |
| Hyaluronidase (Filler Dissolver) | Rx-only enzyme | Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis — must be available at any filler appointment; Over-dissolution: removes your OWN hyaluronic acid — temporary hollowing/deflation | $50–$150 per vial |
| Fat-Dissolving Injections (Kybella & Copycats) | Kybella FDA-approved | OFF-LABEL DANGER: injecting body fat (thighs, stomach) outside the chin causes nerve damage, skin necrosis, uneven results; Copycat 'fat dissolvers' sold online: unknown acids, wrong concentrations, permanent scarring | Kybella: $1,200–$2,400 per session |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Carboxytherapy (CO2 Injections) look like?
Medical CO2 gas injected under skin to 'improve circulation' and reduce cellulite/stretch marks; offered at med spas
What are the signs of a Carboxytherapy (CO2 Injections) overdose?
Air embolism signs: sudden chest pain, breathlessness, confusion — emergency; Crackling swelling under skin Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
GAS EMBOLISM RISK: injecting gas intravascularly (wrong depth) can cause air embolism — stroke/heart events documented with similar devices Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.