Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is increasingly being promoted by wellness centres for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging benefits. Interest in the therapy has grown further after entrepreneur Bryan Johnson mentioned in an interview that HBOT reduced one of his dementia-risk markers by 28%.
However, current scientific evidence does not support widespread use of HBOT for cosmetic or anti-aging purposes.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber, where atmospheric pressure is increased to levels higher than normal.
Under these conditions:
Oxygen dissolves more effectively into the bloodstream
Higher oxygen levels reach tissues with poor blood supply
This process enhances oxygen delivery beyond what is possible under normal atmospheric conditions.
HBOT works through several physiological mechanisms:
Increased oxygen saturation in plasma
Enhanced oxygen delivery to hypoxic (low-oxygen) tissues
Promotion of angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels)
Reduction of inflammation
Improved activity of immune cells
At the cellular level, increased oxygen availability supports tissue repair and may inhibit certain anaerobic bacteria.
HBOT is primarily used for specific, clinically approved indications, including:
Commonly seen in scuba divers, this condition occurs when dissolved gases form bubbles in the bloodstream due to rapid pressure changes.
HBOT helps displace carbon monoxide from haemoglobin more rapidly.
Used in selected cases to improve oxygenation and promote healing.
May assist in tissue recovery in certain burn cases.
Supports healing in tissues damaged by radiation therapy.
According to Dr. Dilip Gude, Senior Consultant Physician at Yashoda Hospitals, HBOT is used in India but remains limited in scope.
HBOT is available in a few specialised centres, with only a small number of facilities offering the therapy in cities like Hyderabad.
He noted that:
Evidence supporting HBOT is moderate to low (Grade 2B or lower)
It is not routinely recommended for widespread use
It may be considered in selected cases such as:
Diabetic wounds
Peripheral vascular disease
Certain burn injuries
However, he emphasised that:
Primary treatment (antibiotics, debridement, surgery) remains essential
HBOT should not delay critical interventions such as amputation in severe infections
In burn injuries:
It may help in milder or recovering cases
Its role is limited in severe burns due to high infection risk
He also highlighted that:
HBOT sessions are time-intensive and costly
Availability in India is limited
Clinical outcomes vary significantly between patients
While generally safe when used appropriately, HBOT can have complications:
Ear and sinus barotrauma due to pressure changes
Lung injury (rare)
Oxygen toxicity, which may cause seizures
Temporary vision changes
Claustrophobia in enclosed chambers
Increased oxygen levels may also generate free radicals, which can potentially cause cellular damage under certain conditions.2
Despite growing popularity in wellness clinics, there is no strong clinical evidence supporting HBOT as an anti-aging or dermatological treatment.
Some experimental studies have explored:
Effects on cellular ageing markers (e.g., telomeres)
Tissue oxygenation and repair
However:
Findings are not consistent
Evidence is not sufficient for routine clinical recommendation
Experts caution that claims related to skin rejuvenation and anti-aging remain largely anecdotal.
HBOT typically involves:
Sessions lasting 60–90 minutes
Multiple sessions over weeks
Treatment in specialised pressurised chambers
Costs can be significant, with each session ranging from several thousand rupees in India.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy remains an important medical intervention for specific conditions such as decompression sickness, wound healing, and certain types of tissue injury. While its physiological benefits are well understood, its use in anti-aging and cosmetic applications lacks strong scientific validation.
Clinical use of HBOT continues to be guided by patient-specific factors, available evidence, and medical necessity.
References
Mohammed Yousef Memar, Mina Yekani, Naser Alizadeh, Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi. “Hyperbaric Oxygen: Its Mechanisms and Efficacy.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 109 (2019): 440–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.142
Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Complications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment.” Accessed March 2026. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/complications-of-hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment
Hadanny, Amir, and Shai Efrati. “The Hyperoxic-Hypoxic Paradox.” Biomolecules 11, no. 7 (2021): 958. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11070958
