Would a session of hyperbaric oxygen speed the recovery of bruising, swelling and overall healing after a facelift?

I think that most people who have had a "good" facelift have flaps that are elevated extensively and benefit from HbO2.  I agree that "deep tanks" have increased risk, and that a "shallow tank" is sufficient.  These treatments are not expensive.
I formerly did not believe in them, but had a patient start smoking 3 packs a day after a facelift (he had been off cigarettes for years).  His flaps turned extremely dusky.  Within two days of shallow HbO2, his flaps returned to normal.  I have also seen secondary patients from other surgeons who have had flap loss and have benefited from HbO2 with quick healing that normally might have taken months.  One of the most dramatic patients was one who had a occlusion of a vessel from an injection in the upper nasolabial fold (elsewhere, but could happen to anyone) with imminent necrosis of medial facial skin that responded to Hyperbaric.
It would be difficult to do a controlled study on facelift patients, but these experiences, though anecdotal are persuasive.  We certainly use HbO2 for failing flaps in cancer reconstruction, as it improves the oxidation and metabolism of the flap. I have not had necrosis of any portion of a flap for years, since starting HbO2, and do an aggressive facelift, so it is difficult to change my opinion that it really does help.

Thank you for your question.  Hyperbaric oxygen is typically used to help in healing wounds which have not healed under normal circumstances.  I typically would not recommend hyperbaric oxygen treatments for improved healing after a facelift, as long as you are healthy and have no healing issues.  The reason is the high pressure has its own possible side effects, and I'm not sure that the risks would outweigh the benefits.I would consult with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who specializes in performing face lifts.  I would certainly discuss your question with him/her as every surgeon's experience is different.I hope that this helps!–David Gilpin

Patients with questions about how to speed up the healing process after facelift ( eg. with hyperbaric oxygen, etc) should contact the plastic surgeon that will  perform the procedure to determine if it is safe to do so.