Remember taking a sip of cold, cold water at the end of a hot, tiring day. The way it leaves you refreshed is unparalleled, soothing you and satisfying you to the bone. It is widely known and accepted that the cold is rejuvenating and preserving, and offers a plethora of benefits to the human body, inside and out. This is why, if you are vying for that Ice Queen glow, you need to experience an ice facial. An ice facial, also called a cryo facial, is a simple and effective way to improve the appearance of your skin through the aid of ice cubes, menthol-based products, and chilled creams. The ice facial benefits are almost endless, from reducing inflammation to boosting collagen production, and you will find that ice is the medicine you have been looking for all this time.
Before we discuss the ice facial benefits, it is imperative to know what all goes into the process.
Step 1 - Cleansing your face and neck:
First, your face is thoroughly cleansed to remove any makeup, dirt, or impurities. This ensures that the skin is a clean canvas for the ice facial.
Step 2 - Ice massage:
Next, some ice cubes are wrapped in a thin, clean cloth or a piece of muslin and used to gently massage your face in circular motions. Extra attention is paid to areas with enlarged pores, inflammation, or puffiness.
Step 3 - Pressing the pressure points:
Then, a few pressure points on the face are targeted, such as the temples, jawline, and under the eyes. This helps reduce tension, alleviate headaches, and soothe tired eyes.
Step 4 - Using ice globes or rollers:
To provide you with an elevated experience,specialised ice globes or rollers are used for a facial massage. These tools provide a cooling effect, promoting lymphatic drainage and enhancing the overall efficacy of the ice facial.
Step 5 - Hydrating and moisturisation:
After the ice facial, your face is pat dry and a hydrating serum or moisturiser is applied to lock in the ice facial benefits. This step is crucial to prevent the skin from becoming overly dry.
Depending on the spa or clinic you decide to visit, these steps can vary and a few treatments or items may be added or removed to customise the ice facial to your needs so you can enjoy the best and most ice facial benefits.
Thawing the mystery: Benefits of ice facial
There is a scientific reason behind the many benefits of rubbing ice on your face. So let us understand exactly why ice facials are advantageous to your skin:
Tighter pores: The Cold temperatures help to tighten pores, which can make your skin appear smoother and more refined. This is because cold temperatures can help to constrict the muscles around the pores, which can help to draw them in. The smaller your pores, the cleaner and clearer your skin.
Reduced inflammation: Cold temperatures can help to reduce redness caused by inflammation or sun exposure. This is because cold temperatures can help to constrict the blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of blood flow to the skin and help to reduce the appearance of redness. Ice facials work the same way in reducing skin inflammation, which is the body's natural response to injury or infection, but it can also contribute to the development of wrinkles, acne, and rosacea.
Increased blood flow: Particularly, cold temperatures can cause the blood vessels in your face to constrict and then dilate, which can help to improve blood flow. With the increased blood flow come additional nutrients that are essential and beneficial for your skin. These skinfood include protein, which is converted to collagen to give your skin the plump and glow you want to see.
Katrina Kaif’s ice facial: A chilling approach
In 2019, Katrina Kaif’s ice facial trend went viral due to how bizarre it seemed back then. The Bollywood megastar shared that she regularly dips her face in a bowlful of ice water to get the stunning glow that she always has on. While the ice facial benefits of this method are the same as those of any good ice facial anywhere, it is a unique way to bring the spa to your home.
If you are considering self-administering this ice facial, remember to use distilled water, properly clip back your hair, have someone supervise while your head's under water, and moisturise afterwards.