Life “in the Pink”. Brief Administration of BOOST Oxygen Beauty® Elevates Blood Oxygen Saturation and Enhances Facial Skin Colour

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify if a limited duration inhalation of BOOST Oxygen Beauty® would impact on blood oxygen saturation levels, and whether any observed effect would be reflected in changes to facial skin colour and tone. Methods: Ten white female participants completed this randomised double-blind placebo controlled crossover study. Each participant was free from any make-up, and provided baseline measures of haemoglobin saturation, and facial skin colour and tone based on the CIE L* a* b* colour space. Five deep inhalations from the oxygen product or air placebo canister were then taken and second readings of all variables recorded. This process was repeated three times. Following a ten-minute rest period new baseline measures were made followed by a repeat of the procedure for the second treatment canister. Results: Data were analysed using factorial repeated measures analysis of variance (Anova). A significant treatment * time point interaction effect indicated an increase in blood oxygen saturation for the oxygen treatment, p = 0.007, whereas no change was found in the placebo condition. Significant differences were found between the treatments for measurements of red following inhalation, p = 0.033, with oxygen inhalation producing higher levels. In addition, a significant treatment * time point interaction effect was evident for the blue b* dimension, p = 0.009, with oxygen inhalation producing lower values than placebo over time. Individual Typology Angle values revealed no change following oxygen treatment, indicating skin tone was not affected. Conclusion: This study shows for the first time that inhalation of a branded oxygen beauty product can significantly impact blood oxygen saturation, and facial colour, producing a redder hue. The potential for these changes to predict ratings of health, attractiveness and age is an interesting prospect.