How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Help Your Skin

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Your Skin

Probably the first thing we often hear from people when starting HBOT is that their skin looks better. They go to their aesthetician and she says, “Oh you started to use fillers and Botox, eh!”. The response is, “Nope, I’m just 10 sessions into an HBOT treatment.” Cosmetic changes can happen quickly. With further visits, new collagen, collagen elasticity, and true healing from conditions like psoriasis, eczema, chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, 2nd and 3rd-degree burns, and post-surgical scar healing start to come. Dr Fields adds the regenerative power class IV laser therapy to many of the skin conditions protocols for even better results.

HBOT works by delivering oxygen under increased pressure. The oxygen goes into your plasma which has a thinner viscosity than your red blood cells. The plasma can then deliver oxygen into the cells of your skin more efficiently. This can accelerate the healing of damaged skin, reduce inflammation and even promote skin regeneration.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing oxygen through an oxygen mask in a pressurized chamber. While under increased pressure, your lungs can absorb more oxygen, which circulates throughout your body, reaching areas that may not get sufficient oxygen under normal conditions. This influx of oxygen helps tissues regenerate, reduce inflammation, and improve blood circulation, which is especially beneficial for skin healing.

For skin conditions, HBOT can stimulate collagen production, promote cellular repair, and reduce inflammation, leading to improvements in both the appearance and health of the skin. With regular sessions, you may see significant relief from chronic skin conditions.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treats Psoriasis, Eczema, and Chronic Skin Conditions

Psoriasis and HBOT
Psoriasis involves an overactive immune response that speeds up skin cell turnover, resulting in scaly patches and inflammation. HBOT modulates immune activity by reducing inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β and boosting antioxidant levels. Studies indicate its potential to alleviate redness, scaling, and discomfort in as few as 10–20 sessions.

Pathology: In psoriasis, immune system dysfunction leads to an overproduction of skin cells, creating thick, inflamed patches. The cells die too quickly, leading to the characteristic scaling of the skin.

A systematic review published in Medical Gas Research emphasized HBOT’s ability to modulate immune responses. By improving oxygen delivery to psoriatic lesions, HBOT helps reduce erythema, scaling, and plaque formation while supporting wound healing in severe cases

Hachmo Y, Hadanny A, Mendelovic S, Hillman P, Shapira E, Landau G, Gattegno H, Zrachya A, Daniel-Kotovsky M, Catalogna M, Fishlev G, Lang E, Polak N, et al. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the pathophysiology of skin aging: a prospective clinical trial. Aging (Albany NY). 2021 Nov 16; 13:24500-24510.
https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.203701

Eczema and HBOT
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition where you will see red, itchy rashes anywhere on the body. It’s more common in children and flares up in response to allergens or irritants.

A 2021 study highlights HBOT’s role in reducing inflammation by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6 (IL-6), crucial in conditions such as eczema. By reducing oxidative stress and improving tissue oxygenation, HBOT helps restore the skin barrier and minimize flare-ups

Ahmad Fawzy, Ismiralda Oke Putranti, & Erni Setiyawati. (2023). The Potential Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Psoriasis Treatment: A Review of PI3K/AKT/FOXO Signaling Cascade and Interleukin-1β. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research Studies

Chronic Wounds and HBOT
HBOT is a well-documented treatment for chronic wounds. Chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, and pressure sores can benefit from HBOT. These wounds often do not heal on their own due to poor blood circulation, low oxygen levels, or underlying conditions such as diabetes.

Research shows that HBOT promotes angiogenesis, fibroblast activity, and collagen synthesis. These are critical building blocks for healing chronic wounds. HBOT reduces the risk of infection and enhances the repair of damaged tissues, as evidenced by multiple studies analyzing its efficacy in wound care.

Acne scars can result in deep pitting or uneven skin texture but HBOT can give some promising results in skin appearance. Acne scars are caused by the destruction of skin tissue due to inflammation from active acne lesions. The severity of scarring depends on the depth of the inflammation and the body’s healing response.

Acne Scars
How HBOT Helps Acne Scars: The increase in oxygen levels provided by HBOT promotes the healing of scar tissue and encourages the formation of new, healthy skin cells. A study published in The Journal of Dermatological Treatment noted, “HBOT’s ability to stimulate fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis is crucial in improving the appearance of acne scars, leading to smoother and more even skin.”

Asadamongkol, B., & Zhang, J. H. (2014). The development of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for skin rejuvenation and treatment of photoaging. Medical Gas Research, 4, 7.
https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-9912-4-7

Why Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is Great for Your Skin

Boosts Collagen Production for Skin Repair

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy stimulates collagen production by increasing oxygen levels in the body, which enhances cellular repair and tissue regeneration. This is particularly beneficial for reducing the appearance of scars, improving skin elasticity, and restoring damaged skin caused by mold exposure or other environmental factors.

Speeds Up Wound Healing and Injury Recovery

HBOT accelerates the natural healing process by delivering concentrated oxygen to injured skin tissues. This promotes faster recovery from wounds, surgical scars, burns, and ulcers while reducing inflammation and infection risks—especially helpful for individuals with compromised immune systems due to mold exposure.

Improves Skin Tone, Texture, and Hydration

By enhancing circulation and oxygenation, HBOT rejuvenates the skin’s tone and texture, leaving it smoother, healthier, and more hydrated. It addresses dull, uneven skin caused by environmental toxins, mold exposure, or other skin stressors.

Combats Signs of Aging for a Youthful Appearance

HBOT helps fight the visible signs of aging by increasing oxygen delivery to skin cells, promoting collagen and elastin production. This reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots while improving overall skin firmness, leaving you with a refreshed and youthful glow.

How Many Sessions Do You Need for Your Skin?

At Dr. Adam Fields’ offices in San Jose and Los Gatos, the number of HBOT sessions required for optimal results will depend on the specific dermatological condition being treated and its severity. However, most patients see noticeable improvements after about 10 to 20 sessions. This is when there is improved circulation, reduced inflammation, hyperoxygenation, and improved skin appearance. After 20 sessions, more permanent or long-term changes take place. These would be new blood vessel proliferation, stem cell mobilization, improved skin elasticity, and tissue regeneration. These sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes each and are scheduled 4-6 times per week for best results.

For skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, regular maintenance sessions may be recommended to help manage flare-ups and maintain healthy skin.

Laser Therapy for Skin Conditions

In addition to HBOT, Laser Therapy is another effective treatment option for individuals with skin concerns. In our office we use focused light energy, in the form of lasers, to target specific areas of the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture. It’s often used to treat acne scars, pigmentation issues, and skin rejuvenation.

Laser Therapy can be used in conjunction with HBOT to enhance results. While HBOT promotes overall skin healing and regeneration, Laser Therapy can target specific imperfections or problem areas for a more comprehensive approach to skin care. The lasers we use do not burn or irritate the skin but rather feed the skin light energy that it can use to create ATP and other metabolic regenerative processes.

Experience the Healing Benefits of HBOT for Your Skin at Our Los Gatos Clinic

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Laser Therapy offer innovative and effective approaches to helping your dermatological conditions. Whether you’re dealing with psoriasis, eczema, chronic wounds, or acne scars or you just want your skin to look younger, both HBOT and our lasers promote healing, reduce inflammation and improve skin regeneration.

At Dr. Adam Fields’ office in Los Gatos, California we are committed to helping you achieve healthier skin with personalized treatment plans that may include HBOT, Laser Therapy, supplementation, and lifestyle modification. If you’re looking to address your skin concerns and restore your skin’s natural beauty, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us today.

Skin Conditions