LookFantastic, Fraicheur, Cult Beauty, Good Housekeeping
With a heatwave incoming, there’s no better time to familiarize yourself with the benefits of facial cold therapy or, to give the practice its proper name, cryotherapy. As well as taking the edge off during soaring temperatures, this centuries-old skincare custom of literally using coldness on the skin works all sorts of complexion wonders, from toning and tightening to de-puffing and even helping with skincare absorption.
“Facial cryotherapy tools work by applying very cold temperatures to the surface of the skin,” explains aesthetic doctor Sophie Shotter. “This immediately causes constriction of the blood vessels but actually, subsequently, boosts the blood supply to the face giving you a healthy glow.” As a result of the constricted blood vessels, the complexion also appears more even-toned, and under-eye circles less dark. “In addition, cryotherapy can give the face a more sculpted appearance through muscle contraction, as well as tightening pores,” adds Dr Shotter.
If that’s not enough to convince you to go sub-zero, it’s also worth noting cryotherapy’s other, more holistic benefits. According to former GP and advanced aesthetic doctor Preema Vig, “cryotherapy reduces skin inflammation, and it also reduces facial water retention by encouraging and supporting lymphatic drainage, which in turn flushes away toxins. This results in the skin appearing plumper and rejuvenated.”
But the best part is that you no longer have to book a professional facial to achieve these results thanks to an influx of innovations in at-home cryotherapy.
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“At-home cryo rollers and massagers are great products with which to perform a facial massage during your skincare routine,” says Dr Vig. “I advise using them in the morning for five to 10 minutes because the cooling sensation, as previously mentioned, helps to reduce water retention but it also minimizes general puffiness — especially around the eye area, which you should leave until last.”
Using cryo tools after applying skincare can stimulate the skin and its capillaries to ‘pull’ on and absorb the products more effectively, too. The same logic applies when using treatments; for instance Dr Shotter recommends using cryo devices after a product-soaked sheet mask to maximize the ingredients’ efficacy, resulting in very swift, very visible results.
Scroll down for our edit of the best at-home cryo tools, as well as some clever skincare solutions that also offer cold therapy benefits. Familiarize yourself with these key tips before diving in:
- Cryotherapy products and tools should only be used 2-3 times per week and no more, unless otherwise specified.
- Don’t apply a cryo tool straight out of the freezer or directly onto the skin without an oil, serum or moisturizer applied first acting as a lubricant, as this can cause skin injuries; make sure skin is hydrated and the tool has thawed a little.
- If you’re prone to broken veins, approach cold therapies with caution. The process of repeatedly exposing the skin to extreme cold and then returning it to ambient temperatures causes blood vessels to expand and, if you are prone, potentially burst.
- Don’t linger too long on any one area as this can result in ice burns. Keep moving the device around the face and always according to its instructions .
Shop: The ultimate cryotherapy skincare products and tools
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