CLINICAL

O2 Wellness

Aesthetic Nurse Joolia Gilvey discusses how hyperbaric oxygen therapy is shaping the future of wellness and skin health

THE POWER OF PRESSURISED HEALING

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, is the process of breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised environment, enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues.

That may sound technical, but it’s simple: by increasing the atmospheric pressure, we allow the body to absorb more oxygen into the bloodstream. This helps to energise our cells, accelerate healing, and reduce inflammation. At a cellular level, oxygen plays a fundamental role in producing ATP (the energy our cells rely on for repair and regeneration). When you increase the available oxygen in the system, you supercharge these processes.

Recent research has focused on HBOT’s potential to support recovery, particularly for soft tissue and wellness applications. Today, interest is growing in how it may complement approaches to skin support and overall wellbeing.

Oxygen is essential for healthy skin. It’s required for every stage of the skin’s repair process, including the stimulation of collagen and elastin. When the skin is stressed by environmental factors or procedures, its oxygen demand rises. HBOT provides an environment where the body can access more oxygen, which may help support these natural processes.

Low oxygen levels can slow how cells function, which contributes to sluggish recovery or increased sensitivity. When cells have more oxygen available, their natural processes can work more efficiently.

Many of the skin concerns we encounter in clinic are influenced by inflammation or oxidative stress. By improving oxygen availability, HBOT can provide a supportive environment for the body’s own repair mechanisms, which is why some people are choosing to incorporate it into their wellness routines.

ELEVATING HEALING WITH HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY

Research into HBOT has expanded in recent years, with studies exploring its potential in areas like recovery and inflammation.

At The Clinic Norwich we offer HBOT as a wellness treatment, alongside aesthetic treatments to support their overall wellbeing and comfort. HBOT can complement other treatments. Many patients choose to book a session after procedures like microneedling, peels or skin boosters, as they find it helps them feel more comfortable and supports their sense of recovery.

My interest in HBOT started by the emerging research into its benefits for wound healing and inflammation. The more I researched the clearer it was that HBOT could be a game-changer in improving my results and the comfort of my patients.

When choosing a system for the clinic, safety and clinical-grade delivery were my top priorities.

ELEVATING PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Patients often describe feeling more rested, with calmer skin and a fresher appearance. A typical HBOT session is calm and straightforward. Patients wear comfortable clothing, remove their shoes, and relax in the chamber. An oxygen headset is provided, and there are windows to maintain visibility. It usually takes around six minutes to reach pressure, after which the one-hour session begins. Many patients enjoy this quiet time. Some nap, others read, and many treat it as a chance to switch off and recharge.

Beyond aesthetics, many patients use the chamber for general wellbeing, some to recover from long Covid, others to ease joint pain or migraines. We’ve even had patients use HBOT as a pre-surgical prep or to speed up post-surgical recovery.

THE FUTURE OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY

For me, hyperbaric oxygen therapy represents an exciting step forward in wellness support within aesthetics. It’s non-invasive, relaxing, and aligns with our holistic approach to patient care.

As interest in oxygen therapy continues to grow, I believe it will become a valued option in forward-thinking clinics, not only to complement advanced treatments, but also to support everyday wellbeing. By providing the body with what it naturally needs, we give it the best environment to recover, restore, and thrive.

JOOLIA GILVEY

Joolia Gilvey, founder of The Clinic Norwich, is a highly experienced nurse injector known for natural results and personalised care. With a background in nursing since 2009 and training from Harley Street, she is passionate about the power of holistic wellness, promoting confident, positive ageing through safe, subtle, and bespoke treatments.