Are we entering an ice age in skin care? If Tik Tok Trends are clues, it’s cold in here. And while cold therapy isn’t a new practice, we seem to like the idea of putting our wellness routines on ice. Read on to explore this cool skincare idea and decide if it’s right for you.
What is Psychotherapy? | Beauty benefits of cold therapy | How to freeze your skin | Is cold therapy safe for everyone?
What is Psychotherapy?
Cold therapy is the use of cold water or ice for therapeutic purposes. If you’ve ever placed a bag of frozen peas on a sprained ankle or soothed a headache or sunburn with a damp, cool washcloth, you’ve tried a version of cold therapy. The practice is probably most commonly used to manage pain and swelling, but there are many other health and beauty benefits associated with subjecting your body to this type of climate control.
Freezing temperatures have physiological effects on the body that can be very helpful in managing everything from pain to puffy eyes. At a very basic level, applying cold to the body lowers skin temperature, reduces pain by reducing nerve activity, and reduces swelling by reducing blood flow, contributing to less inflammation and muscle pain. If you’ve ever seen an athlete jump into an ice bath or cryotherapy chamber, it was probably aimed at speeding up muscle recovery. According to Dr. Dominic Kingpathologist at Cleveland Clinic: “When you submerge your body in cold water, the result is a constriction of your blood vessels, especially the blood vessels in your legs and arms and away from your core where most of your heat is retained. When the blood vessels contract, blood doesn’t flow as quickly to those areas and, in turn, can reduce inflammation temporarily.”
Cold therapy brings a number of health benefits, including increased metabolism, enhanced immune response, better sleep quality, higher energy levels, improved focus and release of endorphins. With hundreds of years and lots of science to back it up the benefits of ice bathsmaybe immersing your body in freezing water isn’t as crazy as it sounds.
Beauty benefits of cold therapy
The tradition of psychotherapy, dating back to 3500 BC, was about more than just physical health for the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. These cultures used cold baths not only for them therapeutic effects but also as a vital part of their social and community life. In Egypt, Greece and Rome, public baths were hubs of social interaction and community bonding, in addition to being places of health and hygiene. With centuries of evidence for the benefits of psychotherapy, it was only a matter of time social media discover the beauty benefits of submerging your body in sub-zero temperatures. From soothing irritated skin to tightening the look of pores, this cool ‘new’ beauty craze looks set to be the next big wellness trend. Let’s dive a little deeper into some of these benefits:
Helps reduce swelling
In the same way that applying cold compresses to injuries reduces inflammation and swelling, applying ice under your eyes can banish those bags. Swelling happens when the blood vessels under your skin dilate or when your lymphatic system doesn’t drain itself. Cold from an ice pack (or ice pack, frozen cucumber slices, or cold spoons) reduces blood flow to the area, which can reduce swelling. Cold can also reduce swelling by “constricting superficial blood vessels and encouraging lymphatic drainage,” Brendan Camp, MDcertified dermatologist and dermatopathologist.
Helps reduce inflammation
Ice can help soothe skin that is red, irritated, sensitive or itchy from skin conditions such as rosacea, sunburn, insect bites and allergies. In the same way it helps with swelling—by constricting blood vessels—a cold compress can soothe the pain or discomfort that accompanies these skin irritations. This also explains why doctors often recommend keeping ointments and creams in the fridge to get double action from a treatment. Aloe vera straight from the fridge It has long been known to help relieve pain and treat dry, irritated skin caused by sunburn.
Helps calm acne
Acne is a form of inflammation, so it’s no surprise that using ice can help with breakouts. Healthline notes that those who recommend skin icing for acne believe it can reduce inflammation and minimize pores, thereby reducing excess oil production. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, ice is most effective in calming down inflammatory acne such as cysts, pustules, papules, and nodules.
Many also believe that ice can clog pores. But despite what you’ve probably heard, pores can’t blink. In fact, they’re always open — and that’s a good thing. Pores play an important role in skin health by helping your skin stay hydrated. Without them, your skin will be completely dry. That said, resources can shrink and expand. As Christopher W. Robb, MD says The reader’s summary, “They expand like a camera lens and can go from narrow to wide or wide to narrow.” In other words, while ice won’t close your pores, it could help dilate them, making them appear smaller and tighter and possibly preventing future oil blockages.
Creates a healthy glow
Remember it Cool girl makeup trend? A quick makeover: Using makeup to mimic the dewy, frosty cheeks you get from a brisk walk in the cold or a day on the ski slopes (without ever leaving your cozy apartment). Rosy cheeks are a result of blood flowing from your body to your face (when you’re out in the cold) to help regulate your temperature. This healthy, pink polish is easily created with ice (no makeup required). Red can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, giving your skin a boost that looks fresh and glowing.
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
The jury is still out on this one, but it’s safe to say that temporarily toning your skin can temporarily minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Improved blood circulation to the area creates a short-term plumpness in the skin that can help blur their appearance.
Improves skin health
Unlike warm water, cool water does not dry out the sebum layer of your skin. Since the sebum layer provides protection for your skin, using cold water to wash your face could potentially improve skin health if done consistently.
How to freeze your skin
The best way to use psychotherapy depends on the benefits you are trying to achieve. Ice baths and cold showers are great options for overall physiological effects such as improved mood, metabolism, energy levels and sleep quality.
When it comes to skin icing to achieve some of the beauty benefits, there are several approaches. A good old-fashioned ice pack can work wonders, as can frozen vegetables like cucumber slices under the eyes. There are ice rollers filled with water or gel available online, as well as silicone gadgets that look like cookie cutters, gel-filled masks, and traditional ice packs. One caveat about putting ice or frozen metal directly on your skin is that it could stick to the skin and cause damage. It is recommended to wrap the ice in a paper towel or a thin cloth. Another option is to apply a barrier moisturizer to your face before freezing the skin. Try it Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream or Blueberry Soy Night Recovery Cream. And make sure you read the directions if you’re using a gadget—some suggest letting them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before applying to your skin.
Another option that is becoming popular is making ice from other liquids for added benefits. By freezing milk in cubes, you can offer a gentle exfoliation to the skin thanks to the lactic acid found in milk. Iced coffee is both a natural exfoliant and full of antioxidants. Green tea and black tea are also rich in skin nutrients such as caffeine, which is often used in skin care to help reduce the appearance of puffiness under the eyes.
An ice bath can be performed in several ways. From filling your bathtub with cold water and adding a few ice packs to taking a cold shower, setting up a metal trough or barrel in your yard in the winter and even spending thousands of dollars on special equipment. As long as your body is exposed to low enough temperatures for the right amount of time, benefits can be achieved.
After a dip in the cold is a great time to renew the skin on the body with a cream or lotion. Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Body Lotion delivers intense hydration deep into the skin and helps support the moisture barrier. If you’re cold and sunken before bed, Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream will hydrate while plumping and smoothing the appearance of skin while you sleep.
Is cold therapy safe for everyone?
Blasting cold water in the shower or misting the skin for the recommended 5-10 minutes is a fairly simple (and free!) way to reap the benefits of cold therapy, but there are a few scenarios that could pose some potential risks . They me sensitive skin or skin conditions such as rosacea should consult their dermatologist before trying the trend. If you have open wounds or sores on your face, avoid adding ice and potentially causing irritation or introducing bacteria.
We do not recommend cold showers to anyone with heart or blood pressure conditions, diabetes and other health issues, as heat shock can cause dangerous side effects, including heart failure. Consult your healthcare provider before engaging in cryotherapy activities, especially if you have any of the following:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Lung diseases
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Diabetes
- Raynaud’s or any vascular problem associated with diabetes
Some other negative side effects that could result from ice baths include hypothermia, hyperventilation, cardiac arrhythmias, and possible drowning. Cold immersion alone is also not recommended.
Interested in trying cryotherapy? Many spas and wellness centers offer the treatment. Visit your nearest Eminence Organic Skin Care Spa partner to learn more about psychotherapy for the skin and body.
