Facial Icing, also known as cryotherapy, is a beauty technique that dates back centuries and has been employed by a multitude of cultures around the world for various reasons.
Ancient Egyptians used it to soothe their skin, help cool inflammation and Chinese practitioners have relied on ice for centuries, claiming it increased their overall longevity.
In Japan, however, facial icing took on a different purpose – the cold helped women contour and tighten delicate facial skin whilst reducing the appearance of pores.
The demand grew in such countries leading modern beauty gurus to embrace this ancient technique recently catapulting facial icings into spotlight of mainstream trends.
It seems that with its growing popularity so too has increased access to information on facial icing’s one-of-a kind benefits proved effective and safe to use over multiple applications.
How to do it?
Whether you’re looking to keep cool in harsh temperatures or trying to manifest pore less skin year-round – incorporating icing your face might be the answer!
Here’s how to do it:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry with a towel.
- Wrap a few ice cubes in a soft towel or cloth.
- Apply the towel to your face, gently pressing it against your skin.
- Move the towel in circular motions around your face, applying light pressure.
- Focus on the areas that tend to get puffy, such as under your eyes, on your cheeks, and around your jawline.
- Keep icing your face for a few minutes, or until the ice melts.
- Once you’re done, pat your face dry with a towel.
You can repeat this process as often as you’d like, but be sure to take breaks between sessions to avoid irritating your skin. It’s also a good idea to use a moisturizer or facial oil after icing to keep your skin hydrated.
Benefits of facial icing
Reduces inflammation
One of the main benefits of facial icing is its ability to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a common cause of skin redness, puffiness, and irritation, and cold therapy can help to reduce these symptoms.
When the skin is exposed to cold temperatures, blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and reducing the appearance of redness and puffiness.
This can be particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin, as it can help to soothe irritation and prevent further inflammation.
Improves skin tone
If you’re looking to improve the overall appearance of your skin, facial icing is a great solution. It works by promoting increased blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Massage the face with a refrigerated jade roller or other cold object to naturally stimulate blood flow and give your natural complexion a healthy glow.
It can even out skin tone and reduce under eye bags for a more confident and radiant look!
Incorporating facial icing into your routine not only reduces undesirable signs of aging, it promotes good skincare habits too.
Reduces puffiness
Are the bags and dark circles under your eyes making you feel worn down? Give yourself a pampering session by taking advantage of facial icing!
By dropping the temperature on your skin, you can help reduce blood flow to the area, allowing your face to look more awake and refreshed.
Not only does facial icing shrink or even erase puffiness and dark under eye circles, but it also helps give your face that youthfully vibrant appearance too.
So go ahead and indulge in ice for at least 10 minutes a day; cruelty free pampering that’s good for your complexion and perfect for those beauty goals of yours!
Soothes acne-prone skin
Facial icing could be the remedy you need if you suffer from acne or other inflammatory skin conditions.
Combat inflamed, irritated skin and stop any further breakouts by giving facial icing a try! Ice gently yet firmly over the desired area – this will help reduce inflammation, redness, and soothe your skin in an instant.
Provides a cooling effect
Facial icing can help to cool down the skin after a workout or on a hot day. By providing a cooling effect, it can help to refresh and rejuvenate the skin, leaving it feeling more comfortable and relaxed.
But while facial cooling is certainly beneficial when it comes to acne care, it’s important to understand that it should not sway you from seeing a dermatologist or serving as a primary treatment for severe cases of acne.
Always talk to a dermatologist before relying solely on facial icing!
Drawbacks of facial icing
- Skin damage: Cold temperatures can be damaging to the skin if applied too aggressively or for too long. Excessive use of facial icing can lead to redness, irritation, and even frostbite in extreme cases. It is important to be gentle when applying cold therapy to the face and to limit the amount of time that the skin is exposed to cold temperatures.
- Temporary results: Facial icing can provide temporary results, but these benefits may not last long. While it can help to reduce inflammation and puffiness, the effects may only last for a few hours or a day at most. If you are looking for long-lasting improvements to your skin, other treatments may be more effective.
- Not suitable for everyone: Facial icing may not be suitable for everyone. Those with certain medical conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease or cold urticaria, should avoid facial icing as it can exacerbate their symptoms. Additionally, those with very sensitive skin may find that cold therapy is too harsh and causes irritation.
- Limited effectiveness: While facial icing can be useful for reducing inflammation and puffiness, it may not be effective for addressing other skin concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles. If you are looking to address a specific skin concern, there may be other treatments that are more effective.
- Inconvenient: Facial icing can be time-consuming and inconvenient. If you are using ice cubes, you need to make sure that you have them on hand, and if you are using a jade roller, you need to take the time to use it properly. For those with busy schedules, facial icing may not be practical.
When it comes to facial icing, there are certain precautions that need to be taken to ensure you don’t damage your skin. It’s important to always exercise gentleness and caution while using cold temperatures on the skin, so experts recommend using a jade roller or wrapping ice cubes in a clean cloth before applying them.
Avoid leaving the cubes on your face for more than a few minutes, as prolonged exposure could potentially be damaging.
Additionally, you should never use facial icing on broken or irritated skin, as this can potentially make the problem worse. Keep these tips in mind when trying out facial icing.
Conclusion
Icing your face may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be a costly beauty treatment! From reducing inflammation and soothing irritation to giving you an overall brighter complexion, face icing can provide some noteworthy benefits with minimal effort.
But before trying this technique, remember that you don’t want to skimp on being gentle.
Be sure to read proper instructions so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. One benefit of icing your face at home is having full control over products and ingredients — for extra safety, it’s definitely worth speaking with a dermatologist about your personal skin type ahead of time.
In truth, incorporating facial icing into your skincare routine could be quite beneficial — if anything, it’s sure worth exploring the possibility!
If you are considering facial icing as a part of your skincare routine, it is important to be aware of potential drawbacks and to use caution when using this technique.
It may be a good idea to consult with a dermatologist to determine if facial icing is right for you and to develop a skincare routine that is tailored to your specific skin concerns.