Is Frotox The New Botox?

As you start to age, hints of fine lines and wrinkles begin to show. Normally, many people consider getting Botox injections. As technology evolves in the beauty industry, several new treatments and procedures are making their entrance. A new treatment formally known as Whole-Body Cryotherapy involves "freezing" your face or body. This type of cryogenic therapy exposes the body to very cold temperatures for a short amount of time to help with chronic pain, aches, or inflammation (via WebMD). They usually have tanks or chambers that can be as cold as -200 to -300 degrees Fahrenheit. The purpose of this therapy is meant to mimic the concept of icing any swelling in the body and is especially popular amongst athletes for sports injuries.

This isn't a kind of treatment that gets prescribed, but it is often offered through spas, gyms, or wellness centers. The same concept has been carried into the skincare industry to help treat fine lines, dark spots, skin glow, and pore tightening.

A cryotherapy facial, sometimes referred to as "frotox," is a new, innovative way to address signs of aging, while potentially providing other skin benefits. Healthline says the process involves pumping liquid nitrogen onto the face for a few minutes. The intense cold causes your blood vessels to contract. In turn, your pores tighten. When your skin returns to room temperature, blood vessels begin to dilate quickly. This leads to an increase of blood and oxygen flow to the face, which leads to less swelling, more glow, more vibrancy, and sometimes even the reduction of fine lines or dark spots.

"During the procedure, liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the face skin to cool the skin surface and temperature, which causes immediate vasoconstriction (or tightening) of the vessels," dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse tells Self. "This tightening is your skin's natural reaction to maintaining body heat, which also makes your face look less red, puffy, and inflamed. It can also help encourage collagen regrowth and cell repair."

Before the cold part begins, many facialists will actually perform a regular cleansing of the face to remove any dirt, bacteria, or dead skin cells. Cleansing and exfoliating the face beforehand helps open up pores and prepares the skin for the cold effects (per Self). After the cleanse, a cold wand or hose is used to blow the cold vaporized liquid nitrogen onto the face, gradually getting colder. The cold blow is only done for a short portion of the session, but the overall facial lasts about 30 minutes. "The purpose of the cold air is to raise the internal body temperature for a short period of time," esthetician Kristina Veller tells Self. "But you're not left with any painful feeling — just tightened skin."

Elite Daily writer Leeor Bronis describes her cryotherapy facial experience as one that was cold, but mostly pleasant and relaxing. "After my face warmed, I looked in the mirror and was happy to see myself as a real-life Snow White — pale, but in a sexy way," Bronis wrote, detailing her personal results. "My skin looked flawless and felt extremely soft, my lines were all actually gone or significantly reduced."

However, this type of treatment can take a while to start showing its true benefits. "This is a process that requires upkeep and at least three or four sessions before you notice long-term results," Veller explains to Self.