Swelling, or edema, is the body's physiological response to trauma. Whether from surgery, injury, or inflammation, the body rushes fluid and immune cells to the damaged area. However, this excessive fluid accumulation compresses healthy tissue, restricts blood flow, and causes pain, ultimately prolonging the recovery time.
For patients recovering from plastic surgery or acute injuries, managing this swelling is often the primary obstacle to seeing the final result.Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is being studied for its effect on post-surgical swelling; the proposed mechanism is described below.
The Vasoconstriction Paradox
The proposed mechanism is vasoconstriction, which seems contradictory at first. Breathing concentrated oxygen at pressure causes blood vessels to constrict (narrow), an effect known as hyperoxic vasoconstriction. In normal circumstances, narrowing blood vessels would reduce oxygen delivery, the exact opposite of what healing tissue needs.
However, because the patient is breathing concentrated oxygen at 2.0 ATA (atmospheres absolute), the blood plasma becomes supersaturated with oxygen. This allows the body to deliver massive amounts of oxygen to traumatized tissue despite the reduced blood flow. The proposed dual effect is that the vasoconstriction limits fluid leakage, and so edema, while the plasma-dissolved oxygen supports the repair process. Both parts of this mechanism are under study.
Hard-Shell (2.0 ATA) vs. Soft-Shell
This mechanism highlights the critical difference between clinical hard-shell chambers and the soft-shell "mild" chambers often found in spas. Soft-shell chambers typically reach only 1.3 ATA. This lower pressure is generally insufficient to trigger the significant vasoconstriction needed to rapidly reduce acute swelling.
At OxyRenew, our chamber operates at 2.0 ATA. The amount of oxygen that dissolves in blood plasma rises with pressure, so a session at 2.0 ATA delivers a higher oxygen dose than one at 1.3 ATA.
HBOT and Surgical Recovery
Some plastic surgeons discuss HBOT with their patients around procedures. Ask yours whether it fits your recovery, and when to schedule sessions.
Your session at OxyRenew is supervised by a Certified Hyperbaric Technician (CHT) who monitors you throughout. In our spacious hard-shell chamber, you can watch Netflix or simply rest while your session runs.
If you are planning a procedure, talk to your surgeon first. Sessions can be booked online, or contact us with questions.
