Ozone Therapy for the Skin:
What it can do, how it works, and who it is suitable for

Ozone consists of three oxygen atoms, making it more reactive than ordinary oxygen. It is precisely this reactivity that makes it of medical interest. Medical-grade ozone is not obtained from ambient air but is produced under controlled conditions from pure medical oxygen. The result is an oxygen-ozone mixture with a defined concentration.

In dermatology, ozone is used in two ways: topically on the skin or systemically via so-called ozone autohemotherapy. Both approaches pursue different goals and address different skin problems.

Important to note at the outset: Ozone is not a cure-all. The strength of the evidence varies depending on the application. This guide explains what is plausible, what has been proven, and where gaps remain.

The effect of ozone is not based on “more oxygen” entering the skin. The actual mechanism lies in the controlled oxidative stimulus. Ozone reacts very rapidly within biological tissue, forming by-products known as lipid oxidation products. These can trigger the body’s own regulatory systems.

Specifically, the specialist literature discusses the following effects:

• Antimicrobial: Ozone damages bacteria, viruses, and fungi through oxidation. This effect is well-documented for topical application and explains its use for blemished or inflamed skin.
• Anti-inflammatory: Low ozone concentrations can influence inflammatory processes by triggering antioxidant regulatory mechanisms.
• Promotes regeneration: Through growth factors and cell signals, ozone can support tissue repair—particularly relevant for slow-healing wounds or acne scars.
• Promotes blood circulation: Autologous blood therapy improves the deformability of red blood cells, which can have a positive effect on microcirculation.

At the same time, robust clinical evidence from large randomized trials is still lacking for many of these effects. Biological plausibility does not automatically equate to clinical confirmation.

In local ozone therapy, ozone is applied directly to the affected area of ​​skin—without contact with the blood and without infusion. Common methods include:

Ozonated oil or water: carrier substances into which ozone is introduced. They can be applied to inflamed, irritated, or slow-healing areas of skin.

Ozone gas treatment: A body part is enclosed in a sealed chamber and exposed to an ozone-oxygen mixture. Frequently used for wounds, ulcers, or skin infections.

Local ozone injections: Subcutaneous administration of small amounts, for example for local inflammation or in aesthetic facial treatments.

Local ozone therapy is particularly suitable for:

• blemished, inflamed, or acne-prone skin
• slow-healing wounds or scars
• irritated, stressed skin with a compromised barrier
• sallow complexion with a desire for a fresher-looking complexion

Ozone autohemotherapy—referred to in professional literature as “major autohemotherapy”—works differently. A specific amount of blood is drawn from the patient, enriched with an oxygen-ozone mixture outside the body, and subsequently reinfused.

The goal is not a local effect on the skin, but rather a systemic impact: improved cellular oxygen utilization, immunomodulation, and the regulation of inflammation. This can be indirectly relevant for the skin—for instance, in cases of chronic inflammatory conditions that manifest in the skin’s appearance, or as part of an anti-aging regimen.

Autologous blood therapy requires sterile conditions, suitable equipment, and medical expertise. It is not a wellness treatment. Handling blood, performing infusion techniques, and assessing contraindications require medical proficiency.

The germ-reducing effect of ozone makes it an interesting option for the topical treatment of inflammatory acne. Ozone can help manage active inflammation and support the healing of acne scars. While it does not replace a dermatological diagnosis or treatment addressing the root cause of the acne, it can serve as a valuable component of a treatment plan.

For exhausted, sallow skin in the absence of specific medical conditions, ozone therapy can act as a regenerative stimulus. Improved microcirculation and the stimulation of cellular processes can make the complexion appear fresher and more even.

The evidence is strongest here. Ozone is used in wound care because it reduces germs and promotes tissue regeneration. For aesthetic scarring, this can result in flatter, paler healing—especially when combined with other procedures.

Ozone is not a substitute for hyaluronic acid fillers or PRP. It operates on a different level: skin environment, inflammation balance, and regeneration. As part of a multi-stage anti-aging plan, it can be beneficial when the focus is on skin quality and texture—rather than volume or expression lines.

Ozone therapy does not add volume. Anyone wishing to correct nasolabial folds, sunken cheeks, or lip contours needs a hyaluronic acid filler—not ozone. Expression lines—such as those on the forehead, frown lines, or crow’s feet—are caused by muscle activity; botulinum toxin works more precisely and effectively in these areas. Sagging skin or drooping contours require a different approach: a thread lift, Profhilo, or—depending on the specific case—a surgical option.

Understanding this leads to a better decision. Ozone therapy is not a substitute for precise aesthetic procedures; it operates on a different level. It makes sense as a targeted biological stimulus with specific applications, but it does not work as a cure-all.

Ozone in the air we breathe is an irritant gas. The Federal Office for the Environment describes it as an aggressive substance capable of damaging the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Consequently, inhalation is not part of medical ozone treatment.

When used correctly, the risks are manageable:

• Do not inhale ozone during treatment.
• Medical-grade pure oxygen as a starting material
• Defined concentration using suitable equipment
• Sterile materials for blood contact
• Preliminary medical history and contraindication check

Possible reactions include redness, a sensation of warmth, bruising at the injection site, or brief fatigue. More serious complications arise almost exclusively from improper use.

Contraindications that must be checked beforehand: pregnancy, severe coagulation disorders, use of blood-thinning medication, active respiratory diseases, known hypersensitivity to ozone, and active tumorous diseases (without consultation with the attending specialist).

That depends on the goal and the method of application. For acute skin issues, a few sessions can yield visible results. For anti-aging treatments, a series of sessions is often planned, as biological regeneration processes take time.

Typical orientation:

• Topical treatment for acne: 4–6 sessions at intervals of one to two weeks
• Ozone autohemotherapy for regeneration: 6–10 sessions, followed by individual booster treatments.
• Combination concepts: depending on skin condition, adjunctive procedures, and the goal.

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all session plan without a prior assessment—nor should there be.

Anyone considering ozone therapy for the first time wants to know exactly what happens—from the initial contact to aftercare. The procedure at the CSP practice follows a clear medical protocol.

Every ozone therapy session begins with a medical consultation. We ask about pre-existing conditions, medications, allergies, skin issues, and your specific goals. Individuals taking blood-thinning medication, those who are pregnant, or those with certain medical conditions may not be suitable candidates for ozone therapy—we clarify this beforehand.

Following the initial assessment, we determine whether ozone therapy is suitable for your condition or if a different procedure would be more appropriate. This decision is made prior to treatment, not afterwards. Depending on the indication, the procedure involves either local application or autohemotherapy (ozone therapy using your own blood). A session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the method used. Treatment takes place in a medical setting using sterile, disposable materials.

After the session, we will discuss how well the treatment was tolerated and the initial results. You will receive clear instructions for the hours following the procedure—such as avoiding exercise or direct sunlight on the day of treatment. We will also determine the schedule and intervals for any further sessions together.

Ozone therapy is only as good as the setting in which it is administered. The following points distinguish reputable services from disreputable ones:

• Medical history prior to the first session
• Clear contraindication check
• Transparent communication regarding impact and limitations
• Sterile materials and suitable equipment
• Integration into an individual treatment plan

Treatments without medical supervision or package offers without an assessment are not a recommended alternative.

At the CSP practice in Basel, ozone therapy is offered as a medically supervised procedure—integrated into a broad spectrum of services including aesthetic medicine, medical skincare, and plastic surgery. This allows ozone to be used where it is medically appropriate: as a component of a coordinated treatment plan rather than as an isolated, standalone measure.

As an FMH-certified specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Prof. PD Dr. med. Frank Serge Lehmann contributes an internal medicine perspective. This allows for an assessment that goes beyond purely aesthetic considerations.

If you would like to know whether ozone therapy is suitable for your skin, schedule a consultation at the CSP practice in Basel. We will assess the condition of your skin, explain the possibilities and limitations, and recommend only what makes medical sense.