Ozone therapy occupies an unusual position in Dubai's wellness landscape. It is one of the most searched-for longevity treatments in the city, it has been used in clinical settings for decades, and yet most people who enquire about it cannot say with confidence what it actually involves, or whether the claims made for it hold up.
That uncertainty is reasonable. Ozone therapy is offered in Dubai by everyone from hospital-affiliated integrative departments to wellness lounges, and it is described in terms ranging from careful to extravagant. This guide is an attempt to set out the treatment plainly: what it is, how the IV protocols known as 5-pass and 10-pass work, what the research does and does not support, who it may suit, and what a session looks like in practice. It reflects the way ozone therapy is delivered at Sequoia Clinic: physician-guided, screened at consultation, and positioned as one element of a wider plan rather than a standalone fix.
What Is Ozone Therapy?
Ozone is a molecule made of three oxygen atoms, rather than the two in the oxygen we breathe. In medical use, a precisely controlled mixture of medical-grade oxygen and ozone is generated by a dedicated device and introduced to the body in a specific, measured way. The gas itself is never inhaled; ozone is harmful to the lungs, which is why medical ozone therapy uses routes that keep it well away from the airway.
The form most people mean when they search for ozone therapy in Dubai is major autohemotherapy, often shortened to ozone IV therapy. A small volume of your own blood is drawn through an IV line into a sterile container, mixed with the oxygen-ozone mixture under controlled pressure, and returned to your circulation. One cycle of draw, ozonation and return is a "pass". The 5-pass and 10-pass protocols are simply that cycle repeated five or ten times within a single session.
Other routes exist, including localised injections around joints, topical application and rectal insufflation, and they serve different purposes. This article concentrates on the IV protocols, because that is what patients in Dubai are overwhelmingly asking about.
How Ozone Therapy Works
The mechanism is easily misunderstood, so it is worth being precise. Ozone does not circulate through the body doing work as ozone. It is a highly reactive molecule that reacts almost instantly on contact with blood, and it is the products of that reaction that are thought to carry the effect.
When ozone meets blood, it reacts with fats and antioxidants in the plasma to form a short-lived cascade of oxygen-derived compounds. Research suggests these act as a mild, controlled oxidative signal: a deliberately small stress that prompts the body's own adaptive responses, in much the way exercise creates a manageable stress that the body responds to by getting fitter. Proposed downstream effects include:
- Improved oxygen handling. Studies suggest the treated blood may release oxygen to tissues more readily, through changes in red blood cell metabolism.
- Antioxidant response. The brief oxidative signal appears to prompt increased activity of the body's own antioxidant enzyme systems over the following days.
- Immune modulation. Ozone-treated blood has been shown in laboratory work to influence the release of certain immune signalling molecules, which is the basis for its use in immune support.
- Circulatory effects. Some research points to improved blood flow properties, which is why ozone has historically been studied in circulation-related conditions.
Two points of honesty matter here. First, these mechanisms are most fully characterised in laboratory and small clinical studies; their translation into meaningful outcomes for any individual patient varies. Second, the "hormetic" or adaptive-stress model depends on dose. Too little ozone appears to do nothing; too much overwhelms the body's buffering capacity. That is why concentration, volume and the number of passes are clinical decisions, and why medical-grade equipment with precise dosing is not optional.
5-Pass and 10-Pass: What the Numbers Mean
The names refer to the number of cycles in one session, and therefore to the total ozone dose delivered.
Ozone 5-pass completes five cycles of draw, ozonation and return, delivering approximately 70,000 micrograms of ozone across the session. It typically takes around 45 minutes and is the more focused protocol, commonly used for immune support and general oxygenation.
Ozone 10-pass completes ten cycles, delivering approximately 140,000 micrograms, and takes between 60 and 90 minutes. It is the more intensive protocol and is generally reserved for patients whose clinical picture calls for a deeper level of support, or who have tolerated lower doses well and are progressing under physician guidance.
More is not automatically better. The right protocol depends on your health status, your goals, your blood work and how you have responded previously. At Sequoia Clinic the choice between 5-pass and 10-pass is made by a physician at consultation, not selected from a menu.
What the Evidence Actually Shows
This is the section most articles on ozone therapy skip, and the one that matters most.
Ozone therapy has been used clinically in parts of Europe for several decades, and there is a substantial body of published literature: laboratory studies on mechanism, observational reports, and a number of randomised trials. The picture that emerges is genuinely mixed, and an honest summary has to hold two things at once.
On one side, the mechanistic research is reasonably consistent, and there are controlled trials in specific areas, particularly certain chronic wounds, some musculoskeletal pain conditions and circulatory disorders, that report benefit. On the other, many of these trials are small, protocols vary widely between studies, and independent reviews repeatedly call for larger, better-designed research before firm conclusions can be drawn. Regulatory positions differ between countries, and in several jurisdictions ozone therapy is regarded as complementary rather than established medicine.
What this means in practice:
- Ozone therapy is not a treatment for cancer, and no responsible clinic should present it as one. Searches for ozone and cancer are common; the evidence does not support that use.
- Ozone therapy does not cure infections, reverse chronic disease or extend lifespan, and claims of that kind should be treated as a warning sign about the provider making them.
- Where it is used within a physician-led plan, it is most usefully understood as supportive: a treatment that may help with oxygenation, immune resilience and inflammatory load for some patients, alongside the fundamentals of sleep, nutrition, exercise and, where indicated, conventional medical care.
At Sequoia Clinic we would rather tell you this at the outset than have you discover it later. Ozone therapy has a place in longevity medicine, but its place is within a measured, diagnostic-first plan, not as a substitute for one. Our approach to why we measure before we treat applies here exactly as it does everywhere else.
Who Ozone Therapy May Suit
Ozone therapy is commonly considered for adults who:
- Are managing chronic inflammatory load, whether musculoskeletal or systemic, as part of a wider physician-guided care plan.
- Want to invest in immune resilience, particularly those who travel frequently, work under sustained pressure, or find that they pick up every seasonal illness in the office.
- Are already engaged in preventative and longevity care and want to add supportive protocols that complement diagnostics, IV nutrient therapy and lifestyle foundations.
- Experience persistent fatigue or slow recovery without a clear explanation, once the obvious causes have been investigated.
It is not appropriate for everyone. Ozone therapy is generally avoided in pregnancy, in people with certain blood disorders including a deficiency of the enzyme G6PD, in uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, and in anyone with an active bleeding tendency or on medications that make blood draw and return unsuitable. A physician will also want to understand your full history before recommending it. This screening is not a formality; it is the part of the process that makes the treatment safe.
Where the reasons for enquiry are vague, a structured baseline such as the Sequoia Assessment is often the more useful first step. It is far easier to judge whether ozone therapy is likely to help, and to measure whether it has, when you know what your inflammatory markers, nutrient status and metabolic health actually look like.
What to Expect at a Session
Before. Your first visit is a consultation, not a treatment. Your physician reviews your health history, current concerns and any recent blood work, and decides whether ozone therapy is appropriate and, if so, which protocol. If diagnostics would sharpen the picture, they may recommend those first. If another approach would serve you better, they will say so.
During. You are seated comfortably in a private treatment room. An IV line is placed, and a measured volume of blood is drawn into a sterile container, combined with medical-grade ozone and returned. The cycle repeats according to your protocol. Most people describe the sensation as similar to having a blood test that takes longer; some notice a feeling of warmth or mild light-headedness during the session, which usually settles quickly. A nurse monitors you throughout, and your vital signs are checked before and after.
After. There is no downtime. Some people report feeling energised the same day; others notice nothing immediate and, if anything, feel mildly tired that evening. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding intense exercise for the rest of the day is sensible. Any effect on energy, recovery or general wellbeing tends to be gradual and is more reliably judged over a course than from a single session.
How many sessions. This depends on your goals and clinical picture. Some patients have a single session ahead of a demanding period; others incorporate ozone therapy into an ongoing protocol, typically as a short course followed by a review. Your physician will set a cadence and, importantly, a point at which you assess together whether it is doing anything useful for you.
Ozone Therapy and EBOO: How They Differ
Many people searching for ozone therapy in Dubai encounter EBOO, which stands for extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation, and assume it is the same treatment. It is related but distinct.
Standard ozone IV therapy treats a defined volume of blood in discrete passes. EBOO runs blood continuously through an external circuit that filters and ozonates it before returning it, processing a substantially larger volume over a single session of around 45 to 60 minutes. It is a more involved procedure with its own suitability criteria, and it is not simply "more ozone".
The choice between the two is clinical, not a matter of upgrading. For many patients, the 5-pass or 10-pass protocols are the appropriate starting point. Where a physician considers the more comprehensive approach warranted, EBOO therapy at Sequoia Clinic is available under the same physician-guided model. We will cover EBOO in depth in a separate article.
Risks and Considerations
Administered correctly, with medical-grade equipment and proper screening, ozone IV therapy has a long record of use with a good safety profile. The risks that do exist come mainly from poor practice rather than from the therapy itself:
- Inhalation. Ozone must never be breathed. Reputable clinics use closed systems and equipment designed to prevent gas escaping.
- Dosing. Concentration and volume must be precisely controlled. This is the reason ozone therapy should only ever be delivered by trained clinicians with certified devices, not by consumer equipment.
- Blood handling. As with any procedure that draws and returns blood, sterile technique, single-use consumables and correct anticoagulation are essential.
- Side effects. Mild and transient effects such as tiredness, light-headedness or a bruise at the IV site are the most common. Serious adverse events are rare in the published literature when protocols are followed.
- Interactions. Certain medications and conditions require adjustment or make the treatment unsuitable. Disclose everything at consultation.
Choosing where to have ozone therapy in Dubai therefore comes down to a few questions. Is the clinic DHA-licensed? Is a physician making the decision about protocol and suitability, or is it sold at reception? Is the equipment medical-grade and the setting clinical? Will they tell you honestly what it cannot do? A provider who answers all four well is one you can have a sensible conversation with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ozone therapy used for?
In clinical practice, ozone IV therapy is most commonly used to support oxygenation, immune function and the body's handling of inflammatory load, and it is studied in areas including circulation, chronic wounds and some pain conditions. It is a supportive treatment within a wider plan. It is not a cure for any disease, and it is not a treatment for cancer.
Is ozone therapy effective?
The research is mixed. Mechanistic studies are reasonably consistent and some controlled trials in specific conditions report benefit, but many studies are small and independent reviews call for larger trials. Individual responses vary. It is most sensibly approached with realistic expectations and a physician who will help you judge, over a course, whether it is adding anything for you.
What is the difference between 5-pass and 10-pass ozone therapy?
The number of cycles and the total dose. Five-pass delivers approximately 70,000 micrograms of ozone across five cycles in around 45 minutes; ten-pass delivers approximately 140,000 micrograms across ten cycles in 60 to 90 minutes. Your physician recommends the protocol based on your clinical needs.
Is ozone therapy safe?
When administered by trained clinicians using medical-grade equipment in a licensed clinic, ozone IV therapy has a good safety record built over decades of use. Ozone must never be inhaled, dosing must be precise, and suitability must be screened, which is why the physician-led setting matters so much.
Does ozone therapy hurt?
Most people find it comparable to a blood test that takes longer. An IV line is placed once, and blood is drawn and returned through it. Some notice warmth or mild light-headedness during the session, which usually passes quickly.
How much does ozone therapy cost in Dubai?
It depends on the protocol your physician recommends and the number of sessions in your plan. At Sequoia Clinic, the treatment plan and its cost are set out clearly at consultation, before anything is booked.
A Measured Place in a Longer Plan
Sequoia Clinic is a DHA-licensed, physician-led longevity and aesthetics clinic in Al Barsha, Dubai. We offer ozone therapy because we think it has a legitimate supportive role in longevity medicine, and we describe it carefully because we think the alternative does patients a disservice. It is one tool, chosen on your clinical picture, inside a plan that begins with measurement.
If you are considering ozone therapy, a consultation at Sequoia Clinic can help determine whether it may be suitable for your individual needs and goals. Book a consultation with our clinical team.
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