This lack of nutrients is what leads to the development of fine lines and a reduction of elasticity, collagen production and hydration. When tissue is damaged – whether due to external factors such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels or auto-immune issues such as eczema or psoriasis – it requires more oxygen-rich blood to heal wounds and fight infections.

Practitioners ranging from aestheticians and dermatologists to sports therapists, orthopedists, and massage therapists have long searched for the most natural and effective method of delivering elevated levels of oxygen to injured skin and muscles. We know that the amount of oxygen absorbed across the skin surface can account for only one to two percent of the resting oxygen consumption. Water, on the other hand, passes through skin cells more easily than air. When skin is immersed in water, the transfer of water occurs primarily through sweat ducts and hair follicles – hence the reason for wrinkled hands and feet when we have been in the water for lengthy periods. So it stood to reason that oxygen infused water could provide the panacea that practitioners were looking for. In fact it does.

Clinical studies by Dr. Stacy Reading at the University of New Brunswick, show that super saturated levels of dissolved oxygen in water enables healthy soaked skin to absorb nine times normal levels stimulating skin cell metabolism, eradicating bacteria from the surface of the skin and stimulating the lymph system to cleanse impurities from the body. Results from his clinical tests showed that soaking feet in oxygenated water for 30 minutes not only allows for a substantial increase in oxygen pressure of the skin, it also increases blood flow by 166 percent. The resulting increase in blood flow speeds restoration of skin injuries as well as rejuvenates and facilitates the recovery of fatigued or injured muscles. The University's studies on subjects with diabetic foot ulcers or chronic wounds as well as clients with eczema and psoriasis showed significant transdermal penetration of oxygen into the dermis that remained in the skin tissue up to forty minutes post-treatment. It also demonstrated the ability to significantly heal wounds and ulcers with repeated and regular treatments.

The potential applications for such phenomenon are vast. The reparative and regenerative capabilities of oxygen therapies can be utilized to reduce post-treatment recovery time after ablative procedures such as waxing, microdermabrasion, chemical peels or IPL treatments. Acne conditions also respond well to these treatments as it reduces inflammation, redness, and the production of bacteria. Oxygenated spa showers, pedicure stations, hydrotherapy tubs, vichy showers, whirlpools and even oxygenated water-based serums are all able to deliver supersaturated levels of oxygen into the skin to help enhanced circulation, invigorate muscles and improve the health and complexion of skin.

Advances in oxygenated therapies have given spas the ability to significantly enhance their wellness offering with a chemical-free, clinically proven application with no side effects – features that are becoming far more common "must haves" for customers. These therapies and their accompanying products have opened up an affordable and attainable solution for many searching for that elusive fountain of youth.