Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: San Francisco’s Hottest Regenerative Wellness Trend

In the ever-evolving landscape of aesthetic and regenerative medicine, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has quickly gained recognition among surgeons, celebrities, athletes, and wellness enthusiasts for its powerful healing properties.

Now, San Francisco’s leading plastic surgeon, Dr. Usha Rajagopal, is offering this cutting-edge treatment as part of her expanding focus on improving surgical patient outcomes, regenerative treatments, and wellness-centered care—making her one of the few providers in the region to combine HBOT with surgical expertise.

HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, significantly increasing its delivery to tissues throughout the body. This enhanced oxygen availability stimulates natural repair mechanisms, promotes collagen production, reduces inflammation, and encourages new blood vessel growth—key elements in tissue regeneration and healing.

“HBOT is one of the most exciting therapies available right now,” says Dr. Rajagopal. “Its ability to enhance recovery and boost overall wellness makes it an essential tool for patients who want more than just cosmetic improvements—they want lasting health benefits.”

While HBOT is widely recognized for accelerating healing after surgery, its benefits extend far beyond the recovery room. Many patients now incorporate the treatment into proactive wellness routines to improve physical, mental, and immune health.By enhancing oxygen delivery at the cellular level, HBOT enhances vitality and reduces feelings of fatigue. This heightened oxygenation also supports brain function, improving concentration, memory, and cognitive clarity, and providing relief from common “brain fog.”

The hyperbaric oxygen chamber used by Dr. Rajagopal(Courtesy of San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center)

HBOT also stimulates white blood cell activity, strengthening the body’s ability to fight infections and reduce inflammation. Patients frequently notice improvements in skin health as well, with increased collagen production and better circulation working together to reduce wrinkles and enhance overall texture and tone. Athletes and active individuals turn to the versatile treatment to accelerate muscle recovery, decrease soreness, and improve endurance.

In her hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Dr. Rajagopal uses chambers specially designed to prioritize patient safety and comfort, delivering oxygen carefully and in a controlled way instead of filling the entire chamber with pure oxygen, which can carry risks. Sessions are typically 60 to 90 minutes, during which patients relax comfortably inside a pressurized chamber while breathing highly concentrated oxygen.

By offering HBOT, Dr. Rajagopal is responding to growing patient demand for advanced, science-backed wellness therapies that complement traditional aesthetic procedures and support overall well-being.

“As aesthetics and wellness continue to intersect, treatments like HBOT become increasingly relevant,” Dr. Rajagopal notes. “It’s no longer just about looking good—it’s about feeling your best from the inside out.”

The office at SF Plasatic Surgery and Laser Center(Courtesy of San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center)