Are you looking for an alternative treatment for your acne?
If so, cryotherapy may be a viable option.
Cryotherapy and whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) has been used for decades to treat various medical conditions, from arthritis and muscle pain to psoriasis.
Recently, localized cryotherapy in the form of cryo facials has been gaining more attention as an acne treatment, as experience has shown it to reduce the appearance of inflammatory acne effectively.
What is a cryo facial?
A cryo facial is a quick, non-invasive skin treatment that uses liquid nitrogen to “refresh” the skin cells.
This procedure can help improve the skin’s appearance by reducing the prominence of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Cryo facials work because the cold temperature from the liquid nitrogen vapor quickly constricts the blood vessels, tightens your pores, and enhances microcirculation and collagen production, according to plastic surgeon Dr P. Daniel Ward.
After the skin warms back up, blood vessels dilate, leading to a rush of fresh blood and oxygen to the face, resulting in a refreshed, vibrant look.
Are cryofacials safe?
Cryo facials are safe, despite the freezing cold temperatures used in the procedure.
Even though it might sound scary, the procedure is objectively painless. It will undoubtedly feel freezing, but many have described it as refreshing and invigorating rather than uncomfortable.
However, there could be some side effects.
The main side effect of cryo facials is that they can cause temporary numbness and tingling or, in rare cases, frostbite.
However, the latter is almost exclusively the practitioner’s fault, so make sure the treatment is performed by a trained professional.
Does cryotherapy help acne?
According to a study by Yookyung Jung and his team, in theory, cryotherapy should be able to help reduce acne by stumping sebum production. However, since this study wasn’t performed on humans, it’s hard to say how effective cryotherapy can be in treating acne with certainty.
Regardless, considering the real-world results and anecdotal evidence, on top of the proven effects cryo facials have on the skin, cryotherapy should be effective in alleviating mild to moderate acne.
4 Cryotherapy facial benefits
Let’s discuss the benefits of facial cryotherapy.
1. Enhanced collagen production
Collagen is a type of protein responsible for the skin’s structural integrity.
It helps keep your skin youthful and healthy by supporting the cells’ elasticity and vigor and preventing them from sagging.
As you age, your body’s natural collagen production decreases, which is why you may see more wrinkles and sagging skin.
Cryotherapy facials can help to boost collagen production, which can help to reduce the signs of ageing and keep your skin looking its best.
2. Improved blood circulation
As mentioned before, cryotherapy is one of the most effective ways to improve blood circulation.
By exposing the face to extremely cold temperatures, the blood vessels constrict, pushing the blood and oxygen back to the skin upon rewarming.
This improvement in blood circulation can help reduce inflammation and facial swelling and leave your skin glowing and vibrant.
3. Reduced Inflammation and redness
Cold temperatures are known to have a calming effect on the skin, which can help reduce inflammation and redness.
Once again, we have enhanced blood flow to thank.
Extremely low temperatures are also known to reduce the activity of sebaceous glands, which can help decrease breakouts that could lead to redness, inflammation and permanent scars.
4. Tightening of the pores
Finally, cryotherapy facials can help to reduce the appearance of large pores.
The cold temperatures from cryo facials which constricts the tiny blood vessels, do precisely the same to the pores.
This constriction gives your skin a more even, smoother texture and can help reduce the appearance of large pores, as well as prevent any dirt or debris from accumulating in them.
Can cryotherapy help acne after one session?
Unfortunately, one session of facial cryotherapy is not likely to be enough to see significant results when treating acne. In fact, everyone will need more than a single session for any long-term benefits.
However, according to experts from Healthline, regular monthly visits can help you experience benefits and experience visible and permanent results.
It is also important to note that facial cryotherapy isn’t enough to keep your skin glowing on its own.
It’s essential to use a daily skincare regime which includes regular cleansing and moisturizing, proper hydration, as well as other treatments.