Continuous application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is linked to reduced papillary dermis thickness, higher elastic fiber reach, sturdiness, and collagen fiber breadth. HBOT has the effect of reducing the volume of senescent cells that majorly comprise fibroblasts and melanocytes. HBOT is also associated with increasing microcirculation at the skin tissue level and beyond. It prompts angiogenesis which comprises of development of a richer supply of blood vessels from the existing one. Hypoxic-induced factors (HIFs), HIF-1α and HIF-2α, can thrive and express themselves better under the hypoxic conditions created by HBOT. The two factors then induce the release of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The latter is responsible for the synthesis of new blood vessels.
HBOT also results in enhanced mitochondrial operation and cellular functioning. These functions go hand-in-hand with boosting antioxidant activity by controlling the balance between scavengers and free radicals. It also lowers inflammatory responses as well as apoptosis. Inflammation is lowered by diffusing the activity of associated elements: neutrophils, lymphocytes, astrocytes, and microglia. Apoptosis entails pre-calculated tissue destruction to make way for new tissue development. Pressure in the HBOT chambers leads to increased dissolved oxygen in blood plasma as well as arterial oxygen partial pressure.
HBOT also aids in the regeneration of connective tissue in wounds, both healing and non-healing. Regeneration is accelerated since HBOT provides optimal exposure to oxygen. Lower blood supply to the skin tissue results in skin aging since dermal blood vessels aren’t able to reach all tissues. This is reversed by the rich supply of blood vessels and oxygenated blood to all tissues, including the skin. Also, collagen is synthesized at a relatively fast pace, even when one is at the age where its synthesis has dropped. The latter mostly happens above the age of 25. Increased collagen production leads to firmer yet more flexible skin. This leads to less wrinkling and drooping skin as the skin can stay as young as HBOT allows.
Why use HBOT
HBOT is highly recommended since it is non-invasive. Also, it has a higher safety threshold compared to other forms of promoting anti-aging. It serves as a good complement to other methods of fighting aging such as engaging in physical exercises and adopting intermittent fasting. It is also highly recommended for sports athletes who would desire a less invasive form of therapy for recovery of their worn-out and sore muscles. HBOT has also been used widely in correcting deformities that result from using other forms of treatment such as radiation therapy. The latter, which is used in the treatment of cancer could result in certain defects in the course of treating cancerous cells. HBOT is, therefore, able to complement such forms of treatment.
Sources
Fu, Q., Duan, R., Sun, Y., & Li, Q. (2022). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for healthy aging: From mechanisms to therapeutics. Redox Biology, 53(2), 102352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2022.102352
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., Doenyas, K., Friedman, M., Zemel, Y., Bechor, Y., & Efrati, S. (2021). The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the pathophysiology of skin aging: A prospective clinical trial. Aging, 13(22), 500–510. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.203701
Tessema, B., Sack, U., Serebrovska, Z., König, B., & Egorov, E. (2022). Effects of hyperoxia on aging biomarkers: A systematic review. Frontiers in Aging, 2(4), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2021.783144
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