Ozone therapy for weight loss: is it really possible to achieve results?

Ozone therapy for the abdomen is one of the most popular methods of losing weight. This cosmetic procedure involves the use of a gaseous substance such as ozone (active oxygen). Under natural conditions, its synthesis is carried out under the influence of ultraviolet or electromagnetic rays. Ozone has pronounced oxidative activity and also easily enters into chemical reactions with fat cells. As a result of this interaction, bioactive compounds are formed that destroy lipids with their subsequent removal from the body through the blood.

What is ozone, what are its benefits and harms?

Ozone is a gaseous substance, a triatomic form of oxygen. Contained in the atmosphere, it protects our planet from solar radiation.

It has a specific odor and high oxidizing ability. As a strong oxidizing reagent, it is widely used in medicine (in almost all its branches) against fungi, bacteria, mold and other pathogenic microflora.

For example, for:

• sterilization of medical instruments;
• air or water purification (ozonation);
• disinfection of premises.

The substance is also used for ozonizing various solutions for subcutaneous, intravenous, and contact use.

A similar solution is used to break down fat deposits and local weight loss.

We will consider the principle of action of the solution in tissues in more detail in the section “How does ozone work for weight loss,” but for now let’s look at how this substance is obtained, what its benefits are and whether it is safe to use it on the human body.

How is ozone obtained for cosmetic procedures?

Ozone is formed in many processes. First of all, it is released naturally from oxygen under the influence of ultraviolet radiation or electrical discharges, such as during a thunderstorm.

But for ozone therapy in medicine or cosmetology, it is obtained artificially. Using special devices - ozonizers.

Such a device produces ozone from oxygen contained in the atmospheric air. There are many synthesis methods. Let's look at the example of the effect of an electric discharge.

1. Air or pure oxygen is passed between the electrodes, which are connected to a voltage source. But not everything is so simple, certain conditions must be met: the area of ​​the electrodes, the gas supply rate, its temperature and pressure, the frequency of current pulsation, etc.
2. All these conditions are effectively met in the ozonizer, so the output is an ozone-containing gas mixture with high reactivity. It is with this mixture that the bottle with saline solution is saturated for 10 minutes.
3. It is then injected subcutaneously into areas of cellulite to produce a lipolytic effect that destroys adipose tissue.

The use of ozone in medicine continues to be controversial due to the simultaneous combination of toxic and medicinal properties.

The mixture itself consists of 5% ozone, the rest is oxygen.

Technique

How is intravenous ozone therapy performed? Reviews from doctors help to understand that such a procedure cannot be carried out at home. Medical ozone is administered subcutaneously or intravenously using special techniques. The doctor selects the dosage, concentration and the method itself, taking into account the patient’s indications and requests. For the injection itself, a special syringe with an ultra-thin needle is used, which minimizes pain. The last factor is extremely pleasant, since work can be carried out on delicate areas, for example, the eye area. If desired, you can use local painkillers. Ozone disintegrates quickly and is therefore generated directly during the procedure. For this action, ozonizer devices are used, which make it possible to obtain gas without impurities. The resulting drug is mixed with saline or even the patient’s blood, and then supplemented with antioxidants. The method with blood is called hemoozone therapy. For complete facial rejuvenation, 5-8 procedures of 10-20 minutes each will be required. There should be intervals of one day or more between sessions. The duration of the course depends on the complexity and degree of neglect of the skin area. For example, eight or more procedures are required to treat cellulite.

Benefit (5 advantages)

An undeniable advantage of ozonation after treating water or any solutions (for example, physiological) is the absence of toxic compounds directly in the liquid itself. The same cannot be said about chlorinated water with a similar antibacterial, deodorizing and antiseptic effect.

After numerous studies, it was found that the ozone-oxygen solution has a multifaceted effect on the body:

• activates metabolism;
• has antiseptic, antibacterial, detoxification, antioxidant effects;
• reduces pain symptoms;
• activates the body's defenses.

This makes it possible to use ozone therapy in the complex treatment and prevention of a wide variety of diseases.

Contraindications and possible negative consequences

In some cases, ozone therapy cannot be used in cosmetology. Strict adherence to the list of contraindications will help the patient avoid or reduce the risk of various side effects. An absolute taboo is imposed on the procedure when:

• individual intolerance to ozone or allergy to local anesthesia;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• during a period of sharp decline in immunity (exacerbation of chronic diseases, flu, colds and any other infectious disease);
• for cardiovascular diseases (including the recovery period after strokes, heart attacks), thyroid diseases, oncology;
• alcohol poisoning in the acute stage.

What side effects can be caused by such a procedure? First of all, many women note significant swelling, bruising and sharp pain in the problem area. There may also be a feeling of discomfort.

Harm

Atmospheric ozone is hazardous if inhaled. Its increased oxidizing ability, as well as participation in many reactions accompanied by the formation of free radicals, determines its high toxicity.

But this applies exclusively to the effect of atmospheric ozone on the respiratory system. It is generally toxic, irritating, carcinogenic.

It should be noted that the O3 molecule is quite unstable in air and quickly disintegrates into O2 with the release of heat. And this is facilitated by an increase in ambient temperature and a decrease in pressure.

The problem is that oxygen in too high a concentration can be toxic to cells because it creates free radicals that damage cellular structure.

Plastic surgeon Manish Shah

Otherwise, if the solution is prepared correctly, the conditions for its preparation, and the administration technique are followed, there is nothing to be afraid of.

How does ozone work for weight loss?

When the solution is administered subcutaneously, ozone begins a selective (selective) interaction with organic compounds present in cell membranes and blood plasma.

This is due to the polar structure of the molecule itself. Compounds that contain free double bonds react with ozone. And it is unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, and SH groups of proteins that become most sensitive to this substance.

As a result of a selective reaction, organic peroxides and ozonides are generated. These metabolic products have different biological effects, which we discussed above:

• bactericidal, fungicidal;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• relieving inflammation;
• mild pain relief;
• immunomodulation.

These products oxidize the membrane of pathogenic microorganisms, disrupting the integrity of the cell. It is on this ability that the main antiseptic and bactericidal effect is based. Healthy cells remain unharmed.

The same thing happens with the sclerotic membranes of fat capsules. Ozone helps to destroy them, dissolve fatty tissue and remove it naturally from the body. As a result, the appearance of cellulite is reduced.

Features of treatment

The use of ozone to combat unsightly bumps on the abdomen, arms, thighs and buttocks is rightly called “non-surgical liposuction”. The technique is as follows: so-called medical ozone (a therapeutic mixture consisting of 95% oxygen, another 5% from ordinary ozone) is injected into the deep layers of the skin.

Injection can be carried out in different ways - using a dropper, a series of single injections, an injection is also done using a special nozzle equipped with many thin needles.

Important!

It is a known fact that a person who inhales pure ozone can easily burn the mucous membrane of the lungs, but a mixture of oxygen and ozone has a lot of healing properties.

When is the procedure most effective?

The most favorable period for the procedure is the initial forms of cellulite. When it is only a cosmetic problem, ozone therapy for weight loss can be used as the only treatment method.

In the initial stages, it is much easier to achieve smooth, tightened skin, increase its elasticity and tone, and make the color even and healthy.

Dermatologist Margaret Weiss

With advanced forms, an integrated approach for systemic weight loss will be required. The procedure can be carried out in conjunction with certain dietary restrictions, moderate sports activities, massage and other techniques in the fight against excess weight.

For acne

The skin must be clean and dry for the procedure. The doctor cleans it before the injection itself. I must say that it really hurts to get it on your face. This is why ozone therapy for acne is not popular. The reviews she receives are rather neutral, since there is an effect, but the pain is hellish. Even after some time, pain in the skin treatment area may bother you. If there are fresh, not yet ripe pimples on the face, the consequences can be unpredictable. It is better to wait for a favorable period when only traces of acne remain on the face. Timing also matters regarding menstruation. Any procedures must be done at least a week in advance or every other week. In particularly advanced cases, the effect may appear several weeks after the procedure. Women over 30 speak favorably of this technique and recommend it to their peers.

How is ozone therapy for weight loss performed?

At a preliminary consultation with the patient, all points regarding the area that most needs this kind of manipulation are discussed. This could be the abdomen, hips, buttocks, waist, etc.

The number of upcoming procedures is determined taking into account the stage, form (both fibroscleratic and edematous forms can be treated) of cellulite.

Dermatologist Emily Altman

The number of injections during one session and the number of procedures is determined only by the cosmetologist. It all depends on the severity of the problem. For example, to eliminate fat accumulations, it is possible to inject a solution into 5-12 points at a time.

Also during the consultation, the cosmetologist finds out whether the patient has any contraindications.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

1. violation of the rheological properties of blood;
2. tendency to seizures;
3. intoxication of the body;
4. endocrine diseases;
5. hormonal imbalance;
6. severe diseases of internal organs;
7. epilepsy;
8. low pressure.

Before the procedure, antiseptic treatment of the problem area is carried out. The saline solution is prepared a few minutes before injections, since the half-life of the active substance is quite short - about half an hour. The cosmetologist independently determines the ozone concentration, depending on the stage of cellulite.

An oxygen-ozone cocktail is administered subcutaneously. If the pain threshold is low, anesthesia with local anesthetics is first performed.

The whole procedure takes about half an hour. To enhance the effect after some time, you can perform an anti-cellulite vacuum roller massage. It will speed up the transition of fatty substances from damaged fat cells to lymphatic vessels and help remove fat from the body faster.

For the next few days, it is recommended to avoid visiting gyms, saunas, steam baths, solariums, and aggressive cosmetic procedures (skin scrubbing, ultrasound or laser liposuction, etc.).

Dermatologist Anthony Perry

Causes of cellulite

Cellulite is a skin change in which fat accumulates in the upper layers of the dermis and causes the formation of lumps and bumps.

Factors provoking the appearance of the disease:

• hereditary burden;
• racial characteristics (people of the Caucasian race are predisposed to the appearance of deposits on the hips);
• influence of female hormones;
• metabolic disease;
• varicose veins;
• obesity and sedentary lifestyle;
• addiction to alcohol or smoking;
• frequent stressful situations;
• chronic lack of sleep;
• the predominance of fatty and floury foods in the diet;
• sudden weight loss.

Question answer

No, the doctor works for about half an hour.

The cost depends on several factors: city, volume of work, injection area, specialist qualifications, clinic, etc. But on average, the price for ozone therapy for weight loss in Moscow ranges from 500 to 2000 rubles. for the procedure. You will need from 6 to 15 of them with an interval of 3-5 days (determined by a cosmetologist).

The doctor will not keep you for long. Typically, after the procedure, the patient is asked to lie down for a quarter of an hour to relieve pain. Then you can go home and do the same things. Doctors do not recommend visiting a solarium, sauna, or playing sports for the first time (2-3 days). You can go for a massage after 4 days.

Could there be complications?

Of course, a potential client of a cosmetologist is always interested in how this procedure could turn out? Is it worth resorting to? It must be said that the procedure is considered completely safe and most beneficial for the human body. There are no restrictions after the procedure. There is also no period necessary for recovery. The effect is visible after the first procedure, but it is short-term. Its duration depends on the patient’s lifestyle, the complexity of the problem being solved and the course of procedures. If necessary, the doctor will recommend the number of procedures to prevent the result.

Cosmetologists admit that there is not enough scientific research on ozone therapy. Only the testimonies of trainees and isolated experiments with a successful outcome “speak” for a positive result. Therefore, ozone therapy is considered an alternative medicine all over the world and is used with caution. If you finally make up your mind and choose the “intravenous ozone therapy” procedure, doctors’ reviews will come in handy. Moreover, contact the doctors from the clinic of your choice, ask about their experience, the number of operations performed, and grateful clients. Don't be afraid to ask questions and figure out the answers for yourself.

What effect do we get?

Immediately after ozone therapy for losing belly fat, there will be no noticeable results. You need to take a whole course to evaluate the lipolytic effect.

But if the patient follows the cosmetologist’s recommendations regarding the number of procedures, post-procedure care, etc., then a very pleasant result awaits her.

Many note that the skin becomes smoother after just 3 sessions. By the end of the course, the volume of the problem area is noticeably reduced.

At the same time, women claim that the skin does not sag at all due to the rapid loss of adipose tissue. On the contrary, the tone and elasticity of the epidermis increases.

Advice from nutritionists

To ensure that fat deposits do not accumulate again after ozone therapy and carboxytherapy procedures, you should consult a nutritionist. Not only the process of losing weight, but also the quality of life in general will depend on the diet prescribed to him.

Abdominal taping for weight loss

The main recommendations of a nutritionist will be:

• Compliance with drinking regime. The amount of fluid consumed per day should be at least 2.5 liters. Water softens toxins that have settled on the walls of the stomach and intestines and removes them from the body through excrement.
• Refusal of any food that is harmful to the body, such as:

1. Fast food;
2. Fatty food;
3. Fried;
4. Alcohol, etc.

• Eating fiber. High fiber content can be found in cereal porridges.
• Consumption of fermented milk products. It normalizes metabolic processes in the stomach and improves intestinal microflora.
• Replacing foods high in sugar with healthy sweets, such as dried fruits.
• It is also not recommended to reduce physical activity. Whether it's going to the gym, swimming or long walks, it doesn't matter. The most important thing is that the body consumes the correct amount of calories.
• General recommendations from nutritionists also include keeping a calorie diary.

Important! In order for calories to be properly consumed by the body, most of them must enter it in the first half of the day.

Why should the bulk of the diet be consumed before lunch? Because during the day there is much more physical activity than in the second half. Accordingly, with the proper functioning of the body, the calories received in the first half of the day will be consumed evenly throughout the day, without being deposited on the hips, stomach and waist. Before the body rests at night, a person will receive a very small amount of calories, which can be processed during the night without loading the internal organs.

Compliance with drinking regime

Does it hurt?

Although any injection is a minimally invasive intervention, it still violates the integrity of the skin, which means that there will be discomfort in any case.

During the administration of the drug, a painful bursting sensation is observed in the treated area, but it passes quickly enough. If the patient has high pain sensitivity, then first use a cream with an anesthetic in the composition.

After the procedure, you should not be afraid of redness, local hyperthermia, or swelling of the tissues - this is a completely adequate reaction of the body to the administered drug. Usually after 2 days all such manifestations completely disappear.

In some cases, small hematomas are possible if the amount of work was large enough.

Dermatologist Sean Allen

If the inflammatory process increases, the pain becomes throbbing, then you need to inform a cosmetologist about this and consult a doctor. Perhaps the technique for administering the drug was violated, and sanitary and hygienic requirements were not met during the process.

Reviews

As an example, we have collected a selection of photographs and several reviews by which you can evaluate the effectiveness of ozone therapy.

Veronica, 38 years old, Yaroslavl, Russia:

“Exercising and dieting have long ceased to help in the fight against cellulite. To remove it, I underwent 7 ozone therapy procedures. I really liked the result, it is not perfect, but very worthy. Now I can calmly go to the beach.”

Irina, 35 years old, Ryazan, Russia:

“Ozone therapy is not the most pleasant procedure.
They numbed my skin, but after the procedure there was still redness and pain. After a few days they passed and I had to go through the procedure again. I steadfastly completed the course of 10 sessions. The result exceeded all expectations. Although it was not easy for me to get it, I am very happy - my skin became perfectly smooth.”

For face

The cosmetologist can control the intensity of the effect on the facial skin. For example, a high concentration of ozone disinfects the skin, a medium concentration reduces pain and reduces possible areas of inflammation, and a low concentration allows healing and rejuvenation of the skin. Women over 35 years old love ozone facial therapy. Reviews, photos and recommendations from doctors are always in demand. This procedure eliminates facial wrinkles and fills nasolabial folds. Using ozone therapy, acne and purulent skin lesions can be treated. This method is effective and safe, the network of wrinkles is smoothed out, skin elasticity increases, and complexion improves. At the same time, your mood and overall well-being improves. If a cosmetologist performs a procedure on a patient’s face, he has the opportunity to assess the condition of the scalp. Next, ozone therapy of the head may be recommended. It has good reviews because it stops hair loss. They become stronger, shimmer in the light, and are saturated with oxygen. Our hair experiences the whole gamut of external influences. Ozone therapy for hair removes all toxins. Feedback from patients confirms the fact that hair growth increases, the appearance of the hairstyle improves, and the hair becomes thicker and more voluminous. After a few sessions, skin diseases completely disappear.

Expert opinion

• Cosmetologist
• Surgeon

Anna Avaliani

practicing cosmetologist

If a moderate dose of ozone is used, then it is really possible to destroy fat cells without harming the body. But as soon as you increase the dosage, you may encounter intoxication. Even doctors argue about the pros and cons of the technique. Remember that it must be performed by a good doctor. This way you will not encounter complications.

Aisha Baron

plastic surgeon

To avoid harming your body and avoid side effects, go to trusted clinics.
There must be appropriate conditions. It is recommended to do ozone therapy on an empty stomach. And below is a video where dermatologist Maria Trifonova talks about a procedure that really helps get rid of cellulite.

You can evaluate the results of ozone therapy for losing belly fat on the Internet, where you can find many reviews and before and after photos.

You can also ask your cosmetologist about the effect. Perhaps he has a portfolio with examples that clearly show how the skin looked before and after the manipulation.

Prevention of cellulite

To prevent the formation of “orange peel”, you should follow simple rules:

• Nutrition correction: eliminate unhealthy foods, fast carbohydrates, fats, add more greens, vegetables, protein and fruits.
• Get rid of bad habits.
• Drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day;
• Lead an active lifestyle: do morning exercises, go to the gym, do cardio exercises, or take daily walks down the street or in the park.
• Take a contrast shower more often or self-massage the problem area, apply wraps, masks or scrubs (no more than 2 times a week).
• If you suspect varicose veins, consult a specialist.
• Treat and prevent chronic illnesses in a timely manner.

Ozone therapy is an effective measure to eliminate cellulite, but the procedure will only be successful if you follow a diet and perform regular exercise.