What is oxygen infusion

Oxygen infusion is a non-invasive treatment using hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), produced by an oxygen concentrator and pressed into the skin with a unique head or mask. HBO is the maximum concentrated oxygen at a pressure higher than atmospheric (1 atm). Not every oxygen infusion procedure is a therapeutic procedure. Many salons have poor-quality equipment with low oxygen concentration or equipment that produces no oxygen but ordinary air. At Holistic Cosmetology, we use the highest quality concentrator that produces oxygen at a concentration of 96% under the pressure of >1 atm.

A two-fold operation characterizes the oxygen infusion treatment (HBOT) in a cosmetology salon:

• the therapeutic effect of oxygen
• the impact of active ingredients pressed into the skin using concentrated oxygen

During the treatment, a serum matching to the skin or scalp problem is applied to the device (looking like a pen). Due to oxygen flow, concentrated oxygen and serum get into the skin, thus obtaining a synergistic therapeutic effect.

During the treatment, a serum matching to the skin or scalp problem is applied to the device (looking like a pen). Due to oxygen flow, concentrated oxygen and serum get into the skin, thus obtaining a synergistic therapeutic effect.

What are the properties of HBOT?

• increases the concentration of oxygen in ischemic and hypoxic tissues
• constricts the vessels and reduces swelling
• improves blood circulation
• has a positive effect on immune mechanisms
• stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts (the dermis cells)
• inhibits the growth of anaerobic bacteria
• increases antimicrobial activity
• accelerates wound healing (research proves that HBOT can promote angiogenesis in ulcers and wounds)

Oxygen infusion treatment (HBOT) is a procedure that saturates the skin with pure oxygen, provides antioxidant protection, stimulates circulation, and supports the forcing of active ingredients into the skin. Thus, it works well both in cosmetological and trichological treatments.

Oxygen Infusion Treatment for Ageless?

Oxygen is an essential ingredient used to rejuvenate and improve skin conditions (especially photoaging). Daily UV exposure accelerates wrinkle formation by increasing skin angiogenesis and the degradation of extracellular matrix molecules. HBO and hyperoxia (higher than average tissue oxygen concentration> 300mmHg) slow down the photoaging process by inhibiting various processes and pathways such as HIF1-α (Hypoxia Induced Factor), VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), neutrophilic infiltrates and MMP metallopeptidases -2 and MMP-9.

Not much research has been done on using oxygen therapy to reduce visible wrinkles, but some have shown positive results. Regular treatments using HBO increase cellular metabolism, improve skin elasticity and stimulate collagen production, leading to the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines and improvement of the skin structure.

What mechanisms are involved in the rejuvenation process with HBOT?

• inhibition of HIF1-α protein expression in tissues, which leads to inhibition of the angiogenesis process and slowing down the process of wrinkles formation. Under hypoxic conditions (tissue hypoxia), the level of HIF1-α increases, which promotes angiogenesis to compensate for the hypoxic state. With normal tissue oxygenation, HIF1-α is degraded. This suggests that increasing oxygenation of epidermal cells using oxygen therapy may increase the degradation of HIF-1α, reducing angiogenesis and slowing down the photoaging process.
• inhibition of the expression of CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor) in a hyperoxic state, which reduces the level of MMP-2 and thus inhibits the formation of wrinkles. MMP-2 is a metalloproteinase whose level increases after UV irradiation in hypoxia conditions under the influence of CTGF. Metalloproteinases are involved in remodeling the extracellular matrix and play an essential role in angiogenesis. They cause the degradation of collagen, proteoglycans, and many glycoproteins. Increasing the oxygen concentration in the skin suppresses CTGF and thus reduces the activity of MMPs and inhibits the degradation of the skin matrix.
• inhibition of infiltration of the inflammatory cells and MMP-releasing neutrophils. When tissue is damaged, neutrophils leave the bloodstream and travel to the site of damage. In turn, UVB radiation can lead to angiogenesis in the skin, and additional blood vessels increase the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Neutrophils are destructive and damage the extracellular matrix, leading to the formation of wrinkles. This is because neutrophils release powerful proteolytic enzymes such as MMP and neutrophil elastase. As a consequence, the elastin and collagen are destroyed, and solar elastase is formed (build-up of abnormal elastin fibers in the skin). HBOT can effectively prevent photoaging as it can reduce the amount of infiltrated inflammatory cells and MMP-releasing neutrophils.

Additional use of oxygen infusion in cosmetology and trichology

Due to the synergistic effect of oxygen and the injected active ingredients, oxygen infusion will be perfect for:

• acne vulgaris
• rosacea
• hypoxic, gray, stressed, and tired skin
• dry, dehydrated skin
• skin with discoloration
• sensitive skin
• couperose skin,
• psoriasis
• eczema
• overall skin condition improvement
• as a treatment before the big event
• in trichological procedures, e.g., excessive hair loss, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, psoriasis

Contraindications to the procedure

The oxygen infusion procedure is entirely non-invasive; therefore, there are few contraindications to this type of procedure:

• viral, bacterial, and fungal infections
• herpes simplex
• allergic skin diseases
• open wounds and skin lesions at the treatment site
• allergy to any component injected during the procedure
• tumors
• high fever
• tumors

The oxygen infusion treatment is an excellent treatment supporting the treatment of many skin and scalp problems. It is non-invasive, painless and can be performed at any time of the year. The oxygen infusion performed in the series gives spectacular results; hence it is adored by dozens of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Pixie Lott. If you are interested in the procedure, make an appointment at my salon in Ołtaszyn in Wrocław.