Cryotherapy is the latest beauty treatment gaining more popularity as more star athletes and A-list celebrities show themselves receiving cryotherapy. It’s been described as safe, non-invasive, all-natural, and relatively affordable. But does it deliver results if you’re brave enough to give it a try? Here’s the low-down on the benefits, safety, and effectiveness of cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy literally means cold therapy, which can mean using cold temperatures, ice, or cold tools to help the body. However, in recent years it is most commonly associated with immersing the whole body in the extreme cold for a specific time duration, specifically in “cryo-chambers”. The chambers are set at an icy -90 degrees celsius, and a person can be in there for around three minutes. To prepare for a whole-body session, clients strip down completely, except for gloves, socks, clogs, and a protective headband. Ensuring the skin, hair, and any typically sweaty parts are as dry as possible before stepping in the tank is key. For an alternative, there is also a group cryo-experience. Some spas provide a sauna-like chamber that fits a handful of adults.
Cryotherapy is used to reduce inflammation in the body by boosting an anti-inflammatory chemical. If a client suffers from chronic pain, arthritis pain, or is recovering from a sports injury or surgery/accident, cryotherapy can help to reduce pain, relieve swelling, and bring vitality to your body through the oxygenated blood that circulates afresh.
Cryotherapy is also known to help with weight loss. Consistent cryotherapy treatments can assist with weight loss by increasing your metabolism. This can include a stimulation of the body’s metabolic rate, with between 500 – 800 calories burnt per session. Plus the treatment also helps with anti-inflammation, so it’s great to include as part of a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise,” says founder and MD of 111 Harley St. Cosmetic Clini, Dr. Yannis Alexandrides.
Cryotherapy is great for the skin, as the extreme cold can help with collagen stimulation, which is one of the most important aspects of your skin staying plump and line-free. For those who cannot afford to do whole-body cryotherapy, there are other ways of reaping the benefits of cryo on your skin, such as in a facial. There are cryotherapy tools such as cryo-rollers and Fraîcheur Ice Globes.
Adverse reactions to cryotherapy can happen, and whole-body cryotherapy should be avoided if you suffer from:
- Hypertension
- Acute or recent myocardial infarction
- Arrhythmia
- Cardiac disease
- Thrombosis
- Uncontrolled seizures
- Lung disorders
- Bleeding disorders
- Acute kidney infections
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned cryo-spas to stop making bold claims about their treatments. The FDA says there is no evidence that whole-body cryotherapy is effective in treating diseases or conditions like Alzheimer’s, fibromyalgia, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, stress, anxiety, or chronic pain, and no single whole-body cryotherapy device has been cleared or approved by the agency in support of these claims
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Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies. She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
