This 5-Minute At Home Treatment Will Help You Get Rid Of That Puffy, Dull Hangover Face

Cryotherapy and cold immersion can seem polarizing. Experts from many backgrounds recommend everything, from cold massages to shape the face to hot-and–cold contrast therapy to increase lymphatic drainage and detoxification. You’ve probably heard of athletes who have used ice baths or Wim Hof, a Dutch man whose breathwork and ice bath techniques have been praised by Gwyneth Paltrow as well as Justin Beiber. These treatments are good for your overall health and can be beneficial to the average beauty connoisseur.

Cryotherapy is a term that refers to the application of cold or freezing products to the skin. This should not be confused with bodily freezing, which is a technique that uses a cryogenic chamber at -220 F for four minutes to promote muscle recovery, metabolism, immune health, etc. Contrast therapy, on the other hand, refers to the wellness practice where you alternate between hot and cold temperatures to increase circulation and stimulate lymphatic detox. Cryotherapy for skin follows the same principles but is usually performed at home or with a professional skin care practitioner.

Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses frozen gases in a dermatologist’s practice. Cold therapy can be applied to the skin by your esthetician, in your home regimen, or via crystal rollers or cooling orbs. Facial massagers and ice are also available. These tools are some of the most well-known forms of cryotherapy. However, beauty professionals have many more options, including at-home and in-office treatments.

What Are the Benefits of The Cold and  What is cryotherapy?

• Reducing Inflammation

Dr. Nancy Samolitis is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder at Facile. She notes that cryotherapy’s use of the cold for therapeutic purposes in dermatology actually dates back to the 1930s when it was first used to treat acne. It is a great treatment to reduce acne or any other type of inflammation.

• Boosting Glow & Reducing Redness

Celeste Rodrigues, celebrity aesthetician, says that every practice she has worked in had some form cryotherapy. This is for a brighter complexion and immediate reduction of inflammation and redness. It also reduces the appearance of pores. Vasodilation is a process that causes blood vessels to contract when the temperature drops. However, as the skin warms up, the vessels expand, increasing circulation. This oxygenates the blood and increases skin radiance. According to Dr. Samolitis, “this process usually results in the skin appearing temporarily pink and glowing.” Cryotherapy may be the best treatment for dull skin after a night of drinking or eating a lot.

• Tightening

According to science, objects contract when they get cold and expand when they get warm. It turns out that the same holds true for your skin and its muscles. The theory behind cold therapy is that it tightens pores and reduces sebum production. It does this by constricting the pores and the sebaceous cells. The constriction and tightening of facial muscles results in overall tightening. Dr. Samolitis states that cryotherapy can temporarily tighten the skin, pores and reduce oil production for a few hours or days. However, it does not tighten the skin over time.

• Reducing Puffiness

The manual stimulation of lymph fluid, circulation and contouring functions of cryotherapy are what make it so effective in reducing puffiness around the eyes and faces. Lymph fluid is a collection of toxins that the body naturally eliminates via the lymph nodes. Lymph-induced puffiness can be caused by stagnant lymph fluid. This can happen when the lymph nodes become blocked, immobile, or if we lie down in a position that restricts circulation. The face can be sculpted by gently massaging it and stimulating drainage. The results can be even more obvious when combined with the tightening of skin and the radiance-boosting effects of cold.

Have a Visit to Your Dermatologist

Dr. Samolitis explains that in-office cryotherapy is the best treatment for acne. She recommends “liquid nitrogen or CO2 [i.e. dry ice mixed with acetone]”, also known as “the Slushie”. She explains that this facial uses a lower temperature to kill acne bacteria, reduce inflammation and gently remove any dead skin cells. This type of facial should only be performed by an experienced practitioner, as it can cause severe burns to the skin and make it dangerous.

Dr. Ben Talei, a board-certified plastic surgeon, says that cryotherapy has seen a tremendous increase in popularity over the past two decades. He says that doctors, including plastic surgeons and dermatologists, have begun to incorporate it into their post-surgical treatment plans. “Cold rollers have been used for years to reduce swelling and improve lymphatic drainage.” For patients undergoing facelifts, lip lifts and eyelid surgery, he recommends cold rolling.

Facile offers Dr. Samolitis a gentle cryofacial that is less intense than a traditional cryofacial. This can be done once per week. It uses liquid nitrogen and is done using cotton swabs. The procedure takes just a few minutes. She says that the treatment feels cool and refreshing, and can remove dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of pores. It is painless and requires no numbing. The results are subtler than a peel.

Have a Visit to Your Esthetician

Cold treatments are used by estheticians to stimulate lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Rodrigues, for example, uses customized jelly masks to perform a gentle cryotherapy facial. These masks are made of algae, so they feel cool and soothing on the skin. To enhance the therapeutic effects, she will apply cold rollers to the face after you have settled down under the mask.

Kasey Boone is a celebrity aesthetician who also owns Glow Skincare LA. She uses cold rollers in her facials and is a huge fan. She has discovered that cold application is particularly therapeutic for the skin after a workout, post-hot towel, or post-procedure. Contrast therapy, which is intermittent hot-cold exposure that impacts vasodilation and boosts circulation, oxygenation, and other factors, is responsible for the above. She also points out that you can’t overuse your cold roll — she uses it every day, morning and night. Make sure you always check the temperature with your hand. It should not be too cold.

Cryotherapy at Home

It’s possible to make your own DIY facials and skin care routine using cryotherapy, with the many cold rollers and ice globes available, as well as ice massagers and ice masks. Dr. Talei suggests that patients keep their quartz or jade rollers (crystals are preternaturally chilled) in the refrigerator and use them in the mornings to reduce puffiness.

Katrina Klein, a celebrity makeup artist, often puts face masks in the fridge to give her clients a glow before applying makeup. Klein says that it tightens skin and increases circulation. “This makes clients look radiant. I would carry a bucket full of ice water for the client to dip their face in. It works wonders!”

Boone recommends that you alternate between hot and cold for a radiant glow for any event. She suggests that you apply a warm compress or towel for 30-60 seconds. Then, cold roll the skin for 30-60 seconds. Repeat this process at least three more times. You will feel radiant, glowing, and ready for the day. This is a great way to boost your mood and oxygenate your skin naturally.

Shop 10 industry-favorite products to add cryotherapy to your skin’s care routine

• Sephora Charlotte Tilbury Face Mask for Cryo-Recovery and Lifting ($55)

The cool acupressure beads on this mask help to relax the face and releases tension. The overall mask’s coldness helps tighten the skin and awaken the eyes. It is a wonderful product!

• Glow Skincare Glow Skincare(tm), Cold Roller ($30)

Boone is a huge fan of cold rollers, so she started her own line. This is Boone’s OG roller. It can be kept in the freezer or fridge during winter.

• Trilogy Wand Trilogy Wand System ($275)

This award-winning tool provides ionic facial massage, warming massage, and red LED for collagen creation. Alternately, cooling cryotherapy with a blue LED is used to kill acne-causing bacteria.

• Violet Grey Angela Caglia Gold Cryo Facial Set ($125)

Angela Caglia, a celebrity aesthetician, is well-known for her cooling crystal facial masks. However, she also uses these 18k Gold-plated wands to perform icy facial massages. For a luxurious experience, just put them in the freezer.

• Bluemercury 111Skin Subzero De-Puffing Energy Mask ($32)

Before applying the hydrogel sheet mask, which was developed by a plastic surgeon, it can be stored in the freezer. It contains peptides and caffeine as well as enzymes that help to de-puff and energize the skin.

• Cooluli Cooluli Beauty 12 Liter Mini Skincare Fridge ($159.99)

This mini beauty fridge will keep your cold rollers or face masks cool so they are ready to use. You can store it in your bedroom or bathroom, saving you the trip to the kitchen.

• Net-a-Porter Anne Semonin Precious Pearl Ice Cubes ($103)

These cult-favorite “icecubes” are made from luxury serum and are the perfect preparation before applying makeup. For a brightening, soothing, and hydrating experience, the active ingredients are Alpine Snow Flowers, Hyaluronic acid, and Hydrolyzed silk Protein.

• SiO Beauty Cryo Drop ($105)

This chilled, ergonomic, medical grade steel massager can be used to help with serum absorption. It uses diamagnetic technology, which promotes elasticity.

• Ulta Flawless Flawless Ice Roller with Finishing Touch ($9.99)

This budget-friendly option can be used to massage your face or other areas of your body to get the benefits of cryotherapy. You can simply refreeze it after each use.

• Sephora Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber(tm), Masks ($14)

This mask is two-step and includes a vitamin C-infused, cooling clay mask as well as a prebiotic ampoule that feeds the skin’s beneficial bacteria. TIP: Prebiotics can also improve skin glow.