Hyperbaric Oxygen

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the exposure of the body to oxygen at a pressure that is greater than normal. Wounds require oxygen to heal; therefore, exposing the body to increased oxygen levels can speed wound healing.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be done in several ways. At St. Petersburg Skin and Laser, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is delivered in a special type of room called a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. In the chamber, you are immersed in oxygen delivered at high pressure.

What are the reasons one would get Hyperbaric Oxygen?

Ask your Physician if Hyperbaric Oxygen is the right treatment for you. Typically, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used to improve wound healing. Hyperbaric Oxygen can be used after:

• Trauma or surgery
• Vascular Occlusions
• Radiation injuries
• Infections
• Burns
• Certain skin grafts and flaps
• Crush injuries
• Diabetes-related wounds

What are the risks of Hyperbaric Oxygen?

Side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are rare but may include:

• Pressure-related injury to your ears or nose
• Nearsightedness (this usually resolves within days to weeks after the last treatment)
• Seizures
• Decompression sickness
• Collapsed lung
• Low blood sugar

A few people with severe congestive heart failure have had problems with heart function after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Share your complete medical history with your Physician to make sure this treatment is safe for you.

What happens during a Hyperbaric Oxygen procedure?

During a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy session:

• You will remove your shoes.
• You will get into the chamber. This is a clear plastic tube that’s about12-feet long.
• You will be asked to relax and breathe normally during the procedure. You can watch TV or listen to music.
• You will be able to text or call us at any time from inside the Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber. We will check on you at a minimum every 5-10 minutes or a tech may sit with you for the duration of your treatment.
• The chamber will be sealed and then filled with pressurized oxygen.
• The pressure will rise to multiple times the normal air pressure. Your ears may pop and you may also have mild discomfort. This is normal and will likely resolve in a few minutes.
• The session will last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• After the therapy, technicians will slowly depressurize the chamber.
• Once your session is complete, you may feel lightheaded or tired. These symptoms will usually go away after a short period of time.

The number of treatments you need depends on the extent of your wound and how well the wound responds to therapy.

Can I get Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy after a Laser Resurfacing procedure with Dr. Kesty?

Yes! Dr. Kesty’s patients enjoy Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy after a Laser Resurfacing procedure. Many Laser Resurfacing patients report that it speeds healing and shortens “downtime” after a Laser Resurfacing procedure.

“My patients want to look and feel their best at any age. I love that I can help them achieve that by combining state-of-the-art technology, the latest medical evidence, and my advanced skill set and artistic eye”

Dr. Kat Kesty

Founder Of St. Petersburg Skin and Laser