Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may support early recovery after hair transplantation by increasing tissue oxygen availability and supporting wound healing. At NUMA, treatment is individually assessed and medically prescribed.
A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that moves healthy hair follicles, usually from the back or sides of the scalp, to areas where hair is thinning or has been lost. The transplanted follicles continue to grow hair naturally over time.
Evidence is still limited, but a small RCT of 34 FUE hair transplant patients found 7 days of HBOT at 2.0 ATA reduced itching, folliculitis, and early shedding (27.6% vs. 69.1% in controls), with higher patient satisfaction. At 9 months, graft survival was slightly higher with HBOT (96.9% vs. 93.8%), though not statistically significant. HBOT may support early postoperative recovery, but clear evidence of long-term graft survival benefit is still lacking.
HBOT increases dissolved oxygen, which may support healing tissues while circulation develops. Wider surgical evidence supports its use in flap and graft healing, although direct evidence after hair transplantation remains limited.
HBOT may help modulate inflammation while supporting biological processes involved in tissue repair, including angiogenesis, fibroblast activity and collagen production.
A five-patient FUE case report described rapid resolution of postoperative discomfort, crust resolution within 3–5 days and high patient satisfaction following HBOT. These preliminary findings require confirmation in larger controlled studies.
Direct evidence remains limited. HBOT should be considered an adjunct to, not a replacement for, standard surgical and medical care.
A clinical review of the evidence for HBOT following hair transplantation, including its potential role in early postoperative recovery, tissue oxygenation, inflammation, graft healing and patient-reported outcomes, alongside the current limitations of the evidence.
Every plan begins with a medical questionnaire reviewed by Dr Nur, followed by a consultation where she prescribes a customised programme — determining the optimal duration, frequency, and total number of sessions.
90 minutes, the day before surgery.
90 minutes, daily, ideally starting within 24 hours of transplant.
May be required, guided by clinical assessment.
Every treatment plan is personalised. The number, frequency and timing of HBOT sessions vary according to individual clinical circumstances and may change as treatment progresses.
HBOT is a medical treatment that requires specialist assessment and prescription to ensure it is safe, appropriate and tailored to your individual needs. Treatment is provided alongside, not in place of, your hair transplant surgeon's postoperative care. Your consultation with our specialist medical doctor includes:
Hear from our patients about their experience with our clinic
A review of what the current evidence shows about HBOT in the postoperative period after hair transplantation, and how it may support early graft healing and recovery.
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How HBOT is used as an adjunct after surgery and injury, and what the evidence shows on healing, swelling and recovery time.
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A walk-through of a session at the clinic, from medical assessment and monitoring to time in the chamber.
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NUMA is a consultant-led specialist HBOT clinic focused exclusively on medical hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our service combines medical oversight, personalised treatment planning and purpose-built facilities designed to support safe and high-standard care.
