Dermatological Conditions

Brief Description and Purpose

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the first line of defense against the environment.

Its ability to respond, heal, and renew itself depends to a large extent on adequate local oxygenation: without sufficient oxygen, fibroblasts cannot synthesize collagen, keratinocytes cannot proliferate effectively, and immune mechanisms become impaired.

Within this context, hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy is particularly relevant for dermatological conditions characterized by chronic inflammation, delayed healing, or tissue damage.

It does not approach the skin superficially; rather, it addresses the underlying biological imbalances that contribute to the pathology. And always as a complementary method, within the framework of dermatological monitoring.

Key Characteristics of the Treatment

In dermatological conditions, hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy exhibits three primary properties: anti-inflammatory action through the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines; regenerative action through the activation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, promoting increased collagen synthesis and epithelialization; and antimicrobial action against anaerobic pathogens that thrive in a hypoxic skin environment.

In addition, the neoangiogenesis induced by hyperbaric oxygen improves skin microcirculation over the long term, ensuring that the regenerating tissue has the biological infrastructure needed to remain healthy.

This combination of immediate action and long-term improvement makes the method particularly interesting for chronic or treatment-resistant dermatological conditions.

Scientific Basis

The evidence supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen in dermatological conditions comes from two directions: studies of healing mechanisms, in which the contribution of oxygenation is well established, and clinical studies in specific conditions such as burns, skin grafts, and chronic dermatological diseases.

For certain indications, such as graft support, the evidence is strong and recognized by the UHMS. For others, such as psoriasis, the evidence is emerging but promising.

In all cases, treatment is administered under dermatological supervision and in a complementary role, enhancing the effectiveness of the primary dermatological treatment and never replacing it.