OXYGENtherapy.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a wellness adjunct for recovery, rest, and inflammation support. Honest about what mild HBOT (1.3–1.5 ATA) is and isn't — distinct from medical-grade HBOT.
Oxygen at pressure, under medical oversight.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing oxygen-enriched air at pressure greater than the normal atmosphere. The increased pressure dissolves more oxygen in plasma and tissue, supporting cellular processes and circulation.
It is important to distinguish two categories. Medical-grade HBOT (2.0–3.0 ATA, hard-shell chambers) is used in hospital and specialty settings for the 13 FDA-approved indications listed by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society — including non-healing diabetic wounds, severe carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, certain radiation injuries, and others. Mild HBOT (1.3–1.5 ATA, typically soft-shell chambers) is used in wellness settings as an adjunct for general recovery and inflammation support. Evidence base is mixed and still developing for these wellness uses.
What we offer at Reviv is mild HBOT — the wellness category. We do not treat the FDA-approved indications; patients with those conditions are referred to medical-grade HBOT facilities under physician care. We do not make claims to treat or cure specific diseases. What we offer is a quiet, restful, oxygen-enriched session that some patients find supportive of their broader recovery and wellness routine.
Soft-shell chamber, careful screening.
Mild HBOT at Reviv Med Spa in Millbrae is offered under the medical oversight of our Medical Director Dr. Gayle Misle, MD. We screen carefully for eligibility — recent oncology treatments, ear and sinus history, pregnancy, claustrophobia tolerance — and integrate sessions with broader wellness goals rather than offering them as a standalone cure.
Our chamber operates at 1.3 to 1.5 ATA — the mild HBOT range. Your session begins with a brief consultation to review medical history, ear and sinus history, current medications (especially recent oncology treatments), pregnancy status, and claustrophobia tolerance. After a brief equalizing-technique demo, you settle into the chamber.
Pressurization takes 5 to 10 minutes — you swallow or yawn to equalize ear pressure as needed. Once at target pressure, you spend 45 to 75 minutes resting, reading, or listening to audio. Communication is maintained throughout. Depressurization at the end is similar to ascent. There is no downtime; possible mild fatigue or thirst is typical and short-lived.
Wellness HBOT is typically used as a series — 10 to 40 sessions across weeks for patients seeking durable subjective benefit. Single sessions are restful but offer limited measurable effect.
Six wellness contexts, one chamber.
In your consultation we will identify whether mild HBOT fits your goal — and we will tell you honestly when it doesn't. Mild HBOT is a wellness adjunct, not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
Post-procedure recovery support
Patients pairing mild HBOT with surgical or aesthetic procedure recovery, in coordination with their treatment team.
Athletic recovery
Recovery support during training blocks, post-event, or when stacking sessions across a week.
Jet lag and sleep
Wellness adjunct after long-haul travel — patients describe restful sessions and improved subjective sleep.
Skin and wound healing support
Adjunct for general wound healing context — distinct from medical-grade HBOT for FDA-approved indications.
Brain fog and clarity
Some patients describe subjective improvements in clarity across a series. Evidence is mixed and we frame it that way.
Post-illness fatigue
Wellness support during recovery from illness, alongside sleep, hydration, and nutrition.
Inflammation Sleep Cognition Skin Athletic Post-procedure Travel Recovery Inflammation Sleep Cognition Skin Athletic Post-procedure Travel Recovery Inflammation Sleep Cognition Skin Athletic Post-procedure Travel What to know, in four lines.
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Mild HBOT (1.3–1.5 ATA) is a wellness adjunct, not a treatment for specific medical conditions. Medical-grade HBOT (2.0–3.0 ATA) for FDA-approved indications is delivered at hospital-based facilities under physician care.
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Wellness use of mild HBOT is typically a series — 10 to 40 sessions across weeks for any subjective benefit to be discernible. Single sessions are restful but limited in durable effect.
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The evidence base for mild HBOT in wellness use is mixed and developing. We are honest about this and do not make claims that exceed what mild HBOT can reasonably support.
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We screen carefully for ear, sinus, oncology medication, pregnancy, and claustrophobia considerations — and decline when contraindications are present.
From your first session, to cumulative recovery.
60 to 90 minutes in the soft-shell chamber. A brief equalizing demo, then 5 to 10 minutes of pressurization (mild ear pressure, like an airplane on descent). Once at target pressure you rest, read, or listen to audio.
Pressurization becomes routine. Some patients describe early subjective shifts in energy, sleep quality, or mood. Single-session effects remain modest by design.
Cumulative subjective benefit becomes more discernible for patients pursuing recovery, post-event recovery, or general wellness. Evidence for these uses is mixed and we frame it that way.
Many wellness patients settle into a 1 to 2 sessions per week cadence for ongoing recovery and rest support, alongside the rest of their wellness routine.
What it actually costs.
Mild HBOT at Reviv is priced per session, with packages available for series. Final cost depends on the series length and any add-ons — and we quote your specific protocol in writing at consultation, before any session begins.
Who it's for — and who it isn't.
- Patients seeking wellness support for recovery, sleep, or post-illness fatigue
- Patients comfortable with a series approach — 10 to 40 sessions over weeks
- Athletes integrating recovery sessions into training blocks
- Patients pairing mild HBOT with IV therapy and renewal rituals as part of a broader wellness routine
- Patients with untreated pneumothorax, severe COPD, or congestive heart failure
- Patients on chemotherapy with bleomycin or certain other contraindicated medications
- Patients with significant claustrophobia or unable to equalize ear pressure
- Patients seeking treatment for FDA-approved HBOT indications — we refer to medical-grade facilities
Your HBOT team.
Dr. Gayle Misle, MD
Founder of Reviv Med Spa & Laser Treatment. Provides medical oversight for mild HBOT — including contraindication screening, oncology-medication review, and coordination with concurrent treatment teams.
Megan Sosnick, RN
Aesthetic Nurse and Practice Manager. Runs your initial screening, walks you through the chamber familiarization, and supports the cadence of your sessions.
What people say about Reviv.
The whole team takes their time. No upselling, no pressure — just a thoughtful plan and beautiful results. The space itself feels like a sanctuary.
I've tried four other med spas in the Bay Area. Reviv is the only one where I feel genuinely listened to. Worth the drive from the city.
Conservative, honest, and skilled. They told me I didn't need half of what I was considering — and the things they did do were perfect.
No HBOT-tagged reviews yet — these are recent reviews from across our practice.
Read all reviewsFrequently asked.
What is mild HBOT and how is it different from medical-grade HBOT?
Mild HBOT operates at 1.3 to 1.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA) of pressure, typically in a soft-shell chamber. Medical-grade HBOT operates at 2.0 to 3.0 ATA in hard-shell chambers and is used for the 13 FDA-approved indications listed by the UHMS — including non-healing wounds, decompression sickness, severe carbon monoxide poisoning, and others. Mild HBOT is offered in our wellness setting; for FDA-approved indications you would be referred to a medical-grade HBOT facility.
What can I expect mild HBOT to support?
Some patients use mild HBOT for general recovery, post-event recovery, athletic recovery support, post-surgical recovery support, and overall inflammation management. The evidence base for these wellness uses is mixed and developing — we are honest that mild HBOT is a wellness adjunct rather than a treatment for any specific medical condition. We do not make claims to treat or cure disease.
How many sessions do I need?
Wellness use of mild HBOT typically involves a series of sessions for any subjective benefit to be discernible. Common protocols are 10 to 40 sessions across weeks. Single sessions provide a relaxing experience but limited durable effect. We discuss realistic expectations at consultation and don't oversell longer protocols than fit your goal.
How much does mild HBOT cost?
Pricing is per session, with packages available for series. We discuss the full cost picture at consultation.
Does the chamber feel claustrophobic?
Patients with claustrophobia often tolerate the soft-shell mild HBOT chamber better than they expect — there's a clear viewing window, the interior is well-lit, and we maintain communication throughout. We'll do a brief pre-pressurization familiarization. If claustrophobia is significant, mild HBOT may not be the right fit.
What does it feel like?
During ascent (the chamber pressurizing) you may feel mild ear pressure — like an airplane on descent — relieved by swallowing or yawning. Once at pressure, the chamber feels like a quiet room. Descent (depressurization) at the end is similar to ascent. Many patients use the time to read, listen to audio, or rest.
Is mild HBOT safe?
Generally well-tolerated. Most common: mild ear discomfort during pressure changes (preventable with proper equalizing technique). Less common: fatigue or mild lightheadedness post-session, sinus pressure if you have a cold. Rare: barotrauma to ears or sinuses if equalizing fails. We screen carefully for contraindications and pause sessions for active congestion.
Can I do mild HBOT during chemotherapy or with certain medications?
Specific chemotherapy agents (notably bleomycin) and certain other medications are absolute contraindications to oxygen therapy. We screen carefully at consultation and decline when indicated. Always inform us of every medication, including any recent or ongoing oncology treatment.
Can mild HBOT replace conventional medical care?
No. Mild HBOT is a wellness adjunct, not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Patients with non-healing wounds, decompression illness, or other FDA-approved HBOT indications should be referred to medical-grade HBOT under physician care.
Who should not get mild HBOT?
Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung), certain ear or sinus conditions that prevent equalizing, severe COPD or congestive heart failure (case by case), recent thoracic or eye surgery, current chemotherapy with bleomycin, pregnancy (case by case under physician guidance), and significant claustrophobia. We screen carefully and decline when indicated.
Patients come to us from across the peninsula.
Reviv Med Spa is at 31 S El Camino Real in Millbrae, California — easy to reach from across the Bay Area peninsula. Patients come to us from Burlingame, San Mateo, Hillsborough, San Bruno, Foster City, and the broader peninsula including Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Daly City, Half Moon Bay, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, and South San Francisco. Off the 101, just south of SFO. Free parking on site.