The ‘ice facials’ trend has taken off recently and many people are giving it a try. But does this procedure really offer noticeable benefits or is it just a myth?
What is more facial treatments, it also became fashionable to model the body by plunging it into an ice bath. However, that is a topic for another time.
What happens to your skin if you dip your face in ice for a week?
The internet was littered with videos of people trying this ‘cold water challenge’, but before you jump on the bandwagon, it’s worth seeing what one influencer had to say about their seven-day icy facial experience.
Jen Glantz, an influencer, claims that her skin improved from soaking her face in cold water for an entire week.
Jen recalled her experiences of soaking her face in ice water every day for a week (she would spend about 20 minutes in the cold bowl before going to bed).
With her, this is how it happened:
- “I put some ice cubes in a container filled with ice water. I put my phone on for 15 minutes and submerged my face in cold water for 10-15 seconds every minute. To ensure accuracy, I refilled the bowl with fresh ice cubes every five minutes while having an ice water facial. ”;
- “Two days into this regime, I was on the verge of giving up. While I didn’t notice any huge improvements, I did find that my complexion would stay red for about an hour at a time, which made me wonder if the therapy was causing any ill effects. On the fourth day of my skin regimen, I started to notice positive improvements.”;
- After four days of using my new skincare routine, I noticed a difference when I looked in the mirror. My pores looked smaller and wrinkles less noticeable, plus my skin had a smoother overall texture. The most important thing is that some of my pimples have decreased in size!;
- “To maintain uniformity during this experiment, I only used ice and cold water. However, you can enrich your experience by introducing a variety of oils and ingredients into the mix, such as rose oil, aloe vera, whole milk or cucumber for additional benefits.”;
- “After a while, I got more used to the procedure; however, it didn’t have a drastic effect on my skin, so it felt unnecessary to do it every day.
According to Jen, it works best when done in moderation.
What the experts say
Dermatologist Michele Green says the idea of a cold water facial has been around for a long time, explaining:
Ice therapy or the use of cold temperatures to heal has been around for many years. It’s not a new concept.
Applying ice water to the skin can be extremely beneficial as it can reduce inflammation and swelling. It also helps to even out skin tone and make pores appear smaller, as well as reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Ice has many benefits when applied to the face.
By immersing the face in an ice cube treatment, the dermatologist suggested that toxins could be flushed out and swelling relieved through constriction, thus improving blood flow and giving you a radiant complexion.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, soaking your face in cold water has a number of potential benefits. Some of these purported benefits include:
- reduces acne, swelling and sensitivity;
- decreases the appearance of bags under the eyes;
- gives shine to the skin;
- it’s free and easy to do.
What are the risks?
Dr. Michele Green, Jen’s dermatologist, warned that excessive exposure to cold water in facials can irritate the skin.
According to the doctor:
“Prolonged exposure to cold water can damage the skin and should be avoided if possible. It is best to use lukewarm water, as very cold temperatures can cause irritation.
People with rosacea should avoid this method as it can worsen the redness and discomfort caused by the skin condition.”
Cases to avoid Face ice:
- thin or sensitive skin;
- if there are spider veins on the face;
- facial procedures (plastic surgery, laser, husks or other procedures)
see a dermatologist
It is important to know the possible risks and contraindications before immersing your face in cold water; there are no “miracle cures” on the internet. Seek the advice of a dermatologist before trying any cold treatments.
By Lara Meneguelli. With information from the following article in Portuguese