Cryotherapy was initially used by athletes to relieve pain and speed up recovery time but in recent years, it has become popular within the wellness industry, being used to instigate collagen production to promote healthy-looking skin. Celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Daniel Craig and Mark Whalberg have all spoken out about their support of the treatment and its benefits.
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, commonly shortened to cryo, is a treatment that momentarily freezes the skin to bring about multiple benefits including collagen production. Collagen is present in our bones, muscles, skin blood vessels and more and is effectively the ‘glue’ that holds the body together.
Collagen makes up a third of the protein in the human body and gives the skin strength and elasticity as well as helping to create a fibrous network of cells called fibroblasts, a foundation upon which new cells can grow.
It also replaces and restores dead skin cells and certain collagens play a protective role in covering delicate organs such as the kidneys, for example. Some types of collagen fibrils are actually stronger than steel!
Women generally experience a reduction in collagen production after the menopause and post 60, a decline in collagen production is normal for both men and women.
How cryo treatment promotes collagen production
Cryo helps to reboot the body and sends it into shock, rendering it to believe it is in danger which in turn, triggers the body’s survival mode for several minutes.
Blood vessels are constricted to preserve the temperature and a subsequent sudden blood rush once you’re out of the cryochamber causes the body to remove blood waste and toxins speedily. A further function that is stimulated is collagen production.
A session of cryotherapy facial takes around 10 minutes and you don’t have to remove your make-up to have it. Post-treatment, your skin’s elasticity will be restored, appear smoother and have a healthy glow as well decreased pigmentation.
Other benefits of cryotherapy for beauty include:
- Stimulates lymphatic drainage
- Stimulates blood circulation
- Improves sleep
- Stimulates cell renewal
- Strengthens nails
- Actives metabolism through burning more calories
Make sure you seek this treatment from a reputable clinic which can thoroughly asses your suitability for treatment beforehand.
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Might have to go for cryotherapy one day, many benefits I never really knew it could produce. I need better sleep and it also helps with weight loss in a way!