Oscar De La Hoya Swears by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Youth—But Is It the Fountain of Youth?

Oscar De La Hoya, the boxing legend known for his moves in the ring, is now making headlines with his moves in the beauty world. Recently, at age 52, De La Hoya revealed his latest secret to staying youthful: a combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and laser treatments. His Instagram post teased, "These lasers only making me younger and cuter … sorry fellas," alongside a video of him getting the procedures. He promised to emerge a "sexy papichulo by next week." Okay, Oscar—setting the bar high for midlife glow-ups everywhere.

But is HBOT actually the magic bullet for aging? Experts say not so fast. While HBOT is definitely trendy—especially among celebs—it’s not a primary treatment for any illness and should be seen as a supplement, not a replacement for traditional therapies.

Here’s the science: in daily life, we breathe air that’s about 21% oxygen. HBOT works by delivering 100% oxygen under higher-than-normal air pressure. This process, usually done in a tube-shaped chamber for one to two hours, floods tissues with oxygen-rich blood, which helps them heal faster. According to the National Institutes of Health, the chamber runs at about two-and-a-half times normal air pressure, making it a bit like a first-class oxygen experience.

Dr. Caesar A. Anderson, medical director at UCSD Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing Center, explains that HBOT is gaining popularity in the medical community as an adjunct therapy. It’s often used for treating severe diabetic foot ulcers, failing skin grafts, and tissue damaged by radiation. It can also reduce inflammation and promote new blood vessel growth. But, Anderson cautions, "Exclusively relying on HBOT is not recommended." Basically, don’t toss out your other doctors just yet.

Dr. Suzanne A. Trott, a double board-certified plastic and general surgeon in Beverly Hills, adds that HBOT is helpful for wound healing in burns, infections, and immunocompromised patients, and even for carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s also used to improve surgical recovery. She admits that after treatment, patients get a temporary glow—making it popular as a "red carpet" option—but the effect doesn’t last long.

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society (UHMS) has approved HBOT for around 15 conditions, including things like carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, decompression sickness, severe anemia, and certain stubborn infections. Chronic bone and tissue infections are also on the list, as the extra oxygen makes it tough for bacteria that thrive without air to survive.

As for reversing aging? The experts say we’re not there yet. While some research suggests HBOT can decrease cellular aging by maintaining DNA telomere length, Dr. Trott says it’s not a targeted anti-aging miracle. For most people, the dream would be to keep their skin elastic, muscles strong, and hair thick and colorful—but HBOT isn’t the genie in that bottle. The FDA hasn’t endorsed HBOT as an anti-aging fix either.

Now, for the risks: the FDA says HBOT is generally safe, but there are possible side effects. These include middle ear infections, ruptured eardrums, temporary vision changes, and, rarely, a collapsed lung. Some people might feel their ears popping (like on an airplane), and those with claustrophobia could find the treatment challenging. There have also been rare but tragic accidents, such as the 2025 explosion in Michigan that killed a 5-year-old boy receiving HBOT for non-FDA-approved reasons.

Experts urge patients to only receive HBOT for approved conditions, at accredited facilities, and under experienced medical supervision. And if you’re feeling lightheaded after a session, have someone drive you home—safety first, even for aspiring papichulos.