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CRYOTHERAPY FOR THE FACE - HOW IT WORKS AND WHAT ITS ADVANTAGES


Is facial cryotherapy dangerous or not? What is Frotox, to whom it is suitable, and to whom it is contraindicated.


Medical Review by Dr. Patrick W. Hsu, MD, FACS , MARCH 24, 2019









I'm sure you've heard of Botox. But have you ever heard of something called Frotox? This is the name the beauty industry has come up with for facial cryotherapy. Facial cryotherapy is a procedure in which your skin is exposed to freezing temperatures. This is a very hot (😄) skincare routine that many celebrities are obsessed with today. Read on to find out more about this.



WHAT IS CRYOTHERAPY?



Cryotherapy means "cold therapy". This is a procedure in which your body or body part (such as your face) is exposed to freezing temperatures for several minutes.


This technique was first developed in Japan in 1978. Japanese rheumatologist, Dr. Toshima Yamaguchi, is credited with developing this technique. He primarily used this technique to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Soon, the benefits of cryotherapy went beyond arthritis. It has proven useful in treating inflammation, psoriasis, and tissue pain, as well as revitalizing the skin.


Cryotherapy can be performed on one specific area of ​​your body or on the entire surface of the body. When it is done on the face it is called "facial cryotherapy" and when it is done on your body it is called "whole body cryotherapy". How to apply it depends on the specific area of ​​the body that you have chosen.


In whole body cryotherapy, your body is enclosed in a small chamber. You must stand inside a chamber that surrounds only your body, leaving only an opening for your head. Once your body is sealed inside the chamber, the temperature inside is brought to somewhere between -120° and -180° Celsius. The cosmetologist starts blowing with a cold stream of air, which is saturated with liquid nitrogen vapors. Your body is only exposed to this temperature for a few minutes.


When exposed to freezing temperatures, your body thinks it is freezing. This kicks off your body's natural immune response and has a great healing effect. It stores blood deep in your body to keep it warm. This expands your capillaries and your white blood cells work at a faster pace to protect you. During these minutes, your brain also releases hormones such as adrenaline and endorphins to stimulate your organs. This reaction promotes cell rejuvenation, boosts your immunity and promotes self-healing.


Facial cryotherapy does not include such a chamber. And here is what awaits you during the session.



HOW CRYOTHERAPY FACIAL WORKS: What to Expect During Your Session




Different doctors may follow slightly different methods of cryotherapy, but in general the approach remains the same.


How is the preparation for the cryotherapy procedure:


  • Before the procedure, your face is thoroughly cleansed and massaged. It aids in lymphatic drainage and the elimination of toxins, as well as relieving tension from your facial muscles.

  • Your face may be exposed to steam. If you have any pimples, they will be prepped with a quick microdermabrasion session.

  • In some clinics, beauticians may expose your face to different frequencies of light to help repair, kill bacteria, and increase collagen production. This is a good help in improving the health of your skin.



The order of the cryotherapy procedure:


  • Your eyes are covered with special goggles.

  • A cold stream of liquid nitrogen is distributed over the entire face using a tube attached to a cryotherapy machine. The tip of the snorkel has lasers that continuously measure your skin temperature.

  • The tube is constantly moving all over the face. This is to ensure that no specific area of ​​your face is exposed to too much cooling.



Facial cryotherapy lasts 2-3 minutes. Once the process is complete, your goggles will be removed. In many places, the cryotherapy session is accompanied by other facial spa treatments. You can get RED LED therapy (to increase skin radiance), facial massage and hydrating mask to improve your skin health. Immediately after the procedure, your skin will become firmer and smoother.


Whether you choose a facial or full body session, cryotherapy offers many beneficial benefits. Let's look at them in the next section.





BENEFITS OF CRYOTHERAPY FOR THE FACE AND FOR THE SKIN



1. The benefits of cryotherapy in the fight against dermatitis


A 2008 study of 18 adults with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis examined the effectiveness of cryotherapy in reducing the symptoms of the disease. Most of the participants experienced an improvement in their condition. However, three of them complained of frostbite in the lungs (the areas of the limbs, ears and nose). Overall, the subjects perceived the process as enjoyable and were willing to follow the course of treatment ( 1 ).



2. Cryotherapy is successful in fighting acne


A study in mice showed that the response of the sebaceous glands to -8°C reduced the number of sebocytes (cells that produce sebum), thereby preventing excess sebum production ( 2 ).



3. Improves blood circulation


When you undergo facial cryotherapy, the intense cold air causes your blood vessels to contract and then expand. This leads to increased blood flow to the skin and makes it healthy and glowing.



4. Shrinks your skin pores


The cold temperature of cryotherapy shrinks the pores of your skin. This prevents the accumulation of dirt and bacteria in them.



MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CRYOTHERAPY



1. Relieve pain


Cryotherapy is mainly used by athletes in the treatment of muscle spasms and injuries. When your body is exposed to cold, it soothes the irritated nerve and helps in relieving such acute injuries and swelling. The cold also helps minimize inflammation, which can help treat bruises, tears, and sprains ( 3 ).



2. Cryotherapy relieves migraine symptoms


A study has shown that such cold therapy can effectively relieve migraine symptoms. The study included 101 patients (of which 55 participants were included in the data analysis) with migraine headache directed to the carotid arteries in the neck. Recordings were made at various time intervals, for example, at the time of onset of pain, 15 minutes later, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. And 77% of participants said that cryotherapy helped reduce pain ( 4 ).


Although the study claims that cryotherapy helps with migraines, the US Department of Health does not have strong evidence to support these findings ( 5 ).







Facial cryotherapy has many benefits, but it also comes with a significant amount of risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved cryotherapy as a potential treatment option for many skin and health conditions. The risks and side effects of cryotherapy are discussed below.



SIDE EFFECTS OF CRYOTHERAPY




Anna Gambaryan, FDA science writer, says choking is the most significant risk in whole body cryotherapy. She claims that the amount of nitrogen in an enclosed space can cause oxygen deficiency, which can lead to hypoxia and unconsciousness ( 5 ). Other potential risks include:


  • Frostbite (if used incorrectly)

  • Cold burns

  • Numbness and tingling

  • Redness



Also, avoid cryotherapy if you have:


  • Respiratory problems

  • Cardiovascular problems

  • High blood pressure

  • Epilepsy

  • metal implants in the body

  • Problems with blood clotting

  • Anemia

  • Pregnancy



Further research is needed to prove the effectiveness of cryotherapy as a treatment option for skin and health problems. If you decide to go for facial or whole body cryotherapy (bearing in mind that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not approve it), discuss this with your doctor before scheduling the procedure.



EXPERTS' ANSWERS TO READERS' QUESTIONS


How often can facial cryotherapy be performed?


Cryotherapy sessions for the face 2-3 times a week for 2-3 weeks are recommended to restore damaged skin, treat acne or to obtain a rejuvenation effect.



Does cryotherapy help with acne?


Yes, it helps to significantly reduce the formation of acne on the face by tightening the skin pores and minimizing excess sebum production.



Does cryotherapy hurt?


Cryotherapy is a non-invasive procedure. Although it is quite cold, cryotherapy will not cause the same pain as, for example, immersing the body in ice.



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SOURCES and MATERIALS used in the article:


  1. “Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Atopic Dermatitis“.  Taras Klimenko, MD; Siru Ahvenainen, RN; Seija Liisa Karvonen. Jun. 2008
  2. “Longitudinal, 3D In Vivo Imaging of Sebaceous Glands by Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy: Normal Function and Response to Cryotherapy“.  Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 2014 Apr.
  3. "Physiological Therapeutics: Cryotherapy".  "NY CC" 2003 Jul.
  4. “Randomized Controlled Trial: Targeted Neck Cooling in the Treatment of the Migraine Patient“.  University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI. 2013 Jul.
  5. “Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC): A "Cool" Trend that Lacks Evidence, Poses Risks“.  US Department of Health and Human Services, USA. 2016 Jun.







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