Mar 4 • 08:11 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Cold Beauty Compresses: What Does Ice Really Do to Your Skin?

Cold beauty compresses have emerged as a trend, praised by celebrities for their supposed skin benefits, but the scientific backing for these claims remains uncertain.

In recent years, the use of ice for skin care has gained popularity, transitioning from a traditional remedy for swelling, such as ankle sprains, to a beauty treatment that many celebrities and influencers advocate. Notable figures like Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner have promoted facial icing as a miraculous method for achieving glowing, youthful skin, suggesting benefits such as reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness under the eyes, as well as minimized appearance of enlarged pores.

Proponents of this practice argue that applying ice to the face can yield numerous benefits, presenting a youthful and healthier skin appearance. The logic behind this trend connects to a natural physiological response where blood vessels constrict upon exposure to cold temperatures, thus temporarily diminishing blood flow, inflammation, and redness in the skin. This method parallels existing treatments in dermatology that utilize temperature control to improve skin conditions and rejuvenate the skin's appearance.

Despite its growing popularity and the enthusiastic endorsements from various celebrities, the underlying question remains whether the claimed benefits of facial icing are supported by substantial scientific evidence or if they are merely a fad. While anecdotal experiences abound, rigorous scientific studies are needed to fully substantiate the efficacy and safety of this practice for skin health.

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