Looking for a new way to speed up the healing process? Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment that is now commonly being used to promote healing for surgical patients. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy not only promotes wound healing, but it also lowers the rate of pain and infection. Utah Facial Plastics surgeons feel that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a great additive and choice for patients to speed up healing time. They promote it with any procedure, but primarily on bigger procedures like Facelift and Rhinoplasty surgery.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves 100% pure oxygen while in a hyperbaric chamber. The air pressure in the chamber is raised to a level that is higher than normal air pressure, which helps the lungs collect more oxygen. By allowing the body to get more oxygen, it increases tissue repair and healing.
Originally this treatment was being used to treat deep-sea divers who had decompression sickness. Later, other conditions and serious infections were being treated using Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Why Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The human body needs oxygen to not only survive, but to function and heal itself. When the body or tissues are injured, more oxygen is required which is why an injury or wound takes a significant amount of time to heal. When inside of hyperbaric chamber, the pure oxygen levels are 1.5 to 3 times higher than normal, which speeds up the healing process. This treatment is not a one and done type of treatment, repeated treatments are required for the best possible results. The number of treatments varies depending on the kind of surgery you had. However, treatment is typically short and can easily be worked into the day.
Physicians are now recommending Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for numerous medical conditions, including:
- Burns
- Reconstructive & Cosmetic surgeries
- Soft tissue infection
- Radiation burns
- Crushing injury
- Gangrene
- Decompression sickness
- Non-Healing wounds
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Speed Up Recovery
Learn more about the different options with Facelift Recovery.Â
Individuals who undergo surgery are typically eager to get back to their busy lives. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the perfect low-risk solution that improves bruising and swelling at a faster rate. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces swelling by flooding the tissues with oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also encourages new collagen and skin cell formation, which we love for anti-aging.
During a hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment, the individual usually sits or lays comfortably in the hyperbaric chamber. Once you are in the chamber the pressure is raised and it is common for your ears to feel plugged, like when elevation change occurs. During your session, you are breathing in this extra oxygen which then carries through the blood and throughout the body.
Side Effects of Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
The most common side effects include claustrophobia, headaches, fatigue and feeling lightheaded. These side effects usually subside a few minutes after treatment. More serious complications include trauma to the middle ear, eye damage, sinus problems and oxygen poisoning. These serious complications are extremely rare. However, your complete medical history should be thoroughly discussed with your provider.
Where Can I Get This Treatment
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is not a treatment that we offer at Utah Facial Plastics, however if our surgeons feel like you may be a good candidate for this treatment that will refer you to Restore Hyper Wellness in Draper and Farmington, Utah. Their locations are close to Utah Facial Plastics locations. Restore specializes in a variety of wellness treatments that empowers the body’s natural capabilities.
To schedule a consultation with one of Utah Facial Plastics physicians fill out a consultation form or contact us at 801-776-2220. To view all our services including surgical and non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation visit our website at www.utahfacialplastics.com.