Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, who’s now 52, recently stirred up some chatter with his beauty regimen. He posted on Instagram showcasing a video of himself getting hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and laser treatment, claiming, “These lasers only making me younger and cuter … sorry fellas.” He added, “CO2 laser + hyperbaric chamber=sexy papichulo by next week.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, while a popular adjunct treatment, is not a primary cure for illnesses, experts stress. Essentially, it works by delivering 100% oxygen to body tissues, which can significantly aid in healing. This process involves the patient lying in a tube-like chamber, similar to an MRI machine, where they receive pure oxygen for one to two hours.
The therapy increases the air pressure in the chamber to about two-and-a-half times normal levels, as noted by the National Institutes of Health. This boost in pressure helps to “flood” injured tissues with oxygen-rich blood, promoting healing. Dr. Caesar A. Anderson from UCSD Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing Center explained that while HBOT has gained traction, it shouldn’t be the sole treatment method.
HBOT has proven effective in treating various conditions, including severe diabetic foot ulcers and skin grafts, and it also helps reduce inflammation and promote new blood vessel growth. Dr. Suzanne A. Trott, a surgeon in Beverly Hills, mentions its effectiveness in wound healing, particularly for burns, infections, and patients with weakened immune systems. She also advises patients undergoing surgery to consider pre- and post-operative HBOT treatments to enhance recovery.
According to the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society, HBOT is approved for about 15 conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, and decompression sickness. Dr. Anderson highlighted that the therapy is also effective against chronic bone infections, as the oxygen-rich environment hampers anaerobic infections. Celebrities like Justin Bieber and Mayim Bialik have also turned to HBOT, which has been a trending topic for its potential benefits.
There are talks about HBOT’s anti-aging capabilities, though there’s no official endorsement from the governing medical bodies yet. Dr. Trott pointed out that while HBOT might sound like a miracle cure for aging, the ability to target specific aging signs is still out of reach. The therapy has been shown to decrease cell death and maintain telomere length, but visible aging signs remain unchanged.
The FDA maintains that HBOT is generally safe, though some side effects can occur. Patients might experience ear issues, temporary vision changes, and in rare cases, lung collapse. Claustrophobia can also pose challenges, as the therapy takes place in an enclosed space.
Experts advise undergoing HBOT only for FDA-approved conditions at accredited facilities. The risks include potential explosions or fires, especially at unaccredited facilities. A tragic incident in Michigan highlighted the importance of this caution when a 5-year-old boy died in a hyperbaric chamber explosion during an unapproved treatment.
Fox News Digital reached out to both Mayo Clinic and Oscar De La Hoya for statements, but no comments were provided.
