By: Jamie Collins
Date: Feb. 27, 2023
I’ve never really understood why people voluntarily take cold showers. Why would anyone want to endure that? My showers are usually steaming hot, to the point that I could probably peel wallpaper off the walls. Clearly, I’m perpetually in a “medium rare” state, nearly boiling myself in search of warmth and comfort.
So, when I stumbled upon the concept of ice bath facials, my initial reaction was one of horror. But, in a fit of curiosity (or perhaps just a touch of masochism), I decided to give it a whirl and share my experience with you. Here goes!
What is an Ice Bath Facial?
An ice bath facial is just what it sounds like—immersing your face in a bowl of ice-cold water. You can fill a large bowl with ice water and either splash your face multiple times (a technique famously used by a Hollywood starlet) or fully submerge your face. The idea behind this chilly treatment is to constrict facial capillaries, reducing swelling and puffiness, ultimately leaving you looking bright-eyed and alert.
After giving it a go myself, I can confirm that it does, indeed, result in a more awake appearance—mostly because I’ve never seen someone wake up and scream at 6 AM quite like I did.
My Experience
To minimize the chaos in my bathroom, I opted for a full submersion instead of splashing. After securing my hair with a headband and laying out a towel, I dunked my face in the icy water. And then I remembered—ice water is shockingly painful.
My plan was to keep my face submerged for a few seconds, but I ended up resembling one of those old desk toys that peck at water. I quickly pulled my face out, gasping for air. After a moment of mental pep talk, I submerged my face again, managing to hold it under for several seconds this time. When I finally emerged and dabbed my face dry, I took a look in the mirror.
I definitely looked awake, although “refreshed” might be pushing it; more like I had just been startled awake. Surprisingly, my makeup applied smoothly afterward, my skin felt smoother than usual, and my complexion was noticeably brighter. But while the brief shock of ice water did wonders, I don’t see myself adding this to my regular beauty regimen anytime soon. If I want to endure discomfort for beauty, I’d rather stick to microneedling and acid peels. However, in the event of waking up puffy or groggy, an ice bath facial might not be the worst option.
Considerations
That said, exposing your skin to extreme temperatures—whether hot or cold—can have adverse effects. Repeatedly applying ice to your face might lead to broken capillaries, resulting in red spots that can be difficult to treat. I’d recommend limiting ice bath facials to a couple of times a week at most.
Interestingly, this experience may have also offered me a solution for my aversion to coffee. The shock of freezing water felt akin to a caffeine jolt, so perhaps I’m onto a new morning ritual.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, while an ice bath facial can temporarily boost your appearance, it’s not something I plan to make a regular part of my beauty routine. A couple of times a week might suffice, but I wouldn’t recommend it too frequently due to potential skin damage.