The word cryo derives from the Ancient Greek word krúos, which translates to icy, cold, chill or frost. Cryotherapy, also known as Cold therapy, is the use of liquid nitrogen in order to expose the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period of time (usually several minutes). Cryotherapy is administered through standing in an enclosed chamber or a small enclosure which surrounds the body. This form of therapy has been used to minimise muscular pains/spasms, improve recovery, reduce cellular aging and to improve general health. Whilst Cryotherapy is for the whole body, Cryofacials use the same technique but target the face instead. Read on to find out why these facials are the secret to younger looking skin.
What to expect during a cryofacial
During the treatment, liquid nitrogen is sprayed over the face using specialised instruments in order to expose the skin to temperatures up to minus 128 and 184 degrees Celsius respectively. Most individuals experience a rather pleasant and relaxing sensation throughout the process and come out with a radiant glow, reduced redness and overall improvement in the quality of their skin.
So, what are the benefits of cryofacials?
With aging comes the breakdown of collagen and elastin, the two structural proteins that give skin it’s shape and rigidity. The breakdown of these proteins is what leads to skin sagging and wrinkle formation.
Reduction of wrinkles
Cryotherapy stimulates the production of collagen, the protein responsible for firm, youthful skin, it also boosts cell turnover. By doing so, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be minimised, and the aging process can be slowed down and reversed.
Shrinkage of Pores
While pore size is often determined genetically, aging and sun damage also have a significant impact on their size. Loss of elastic tissue often leads to the expansion of pores which can be unsightly. As cryotherapy stimulates collagen production, the skin around the pores will be firmer, minimising their appearance.
Radiant and Healthy Skin
As the body goes into a slight shock from the sub-zero temperature exposure, it begins to trigger a survival instinct whereby blood flow is redirected primarily to vital organs to stabilise internal body temperature. As the treatment comes to an end, nutrient enriched blood flows back to your face which results in the skin replacing dead cells with new cells leading to radiant skin post treatment. Along with more radiant skin, the production of new skin cells allows for a reduction in pigmentation (i.e. acne, skin damaged from the sun and age spots) and also chronic skin conditions (i.e. dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis) which are often harder to treat with more traditional methods and ointments.
What to look out for…
As with all treatments there are areas to look out for. Treatments will require follow up sessions in order to maintain the true benefits of the cryofacial, weekly or bi-weekly is recommended which may add up to quite a sum. Results may also vary from one individual to another.