Cryotherapy - indications and contraindications in cosmetology for face, hair, weight loss, how the procedure goes, results, photos

Cold treatments have been known since ancient times. It is worth remembering the traditions of winter dipping into an ice hole, rubbing the body with snow, pouring ice water. The newest technologies of the XXI century allow creating analogs of the possibilities of body healing proven by many generations.

This direction is designated "cryotherapy", which translates as "cold treatment". However, when starting to heal with the help of short-term cooling, it is necessary to study what indications and contraindications exist in each specific case.

What is cryotherapy

The essence of the modern procedure for the prevention or cure of the skin is the use of artificial cold with the help of special equipment. Under the influence of low temperature, the blood vessels at first sharply narrow, and then vigorously expand. Thanks to this kind of "shock therapy", physiological processes are activated in the treated area.

Based on the indications and contraindications for cryotherapy, doctors recommend using different means of affecting the dermis (ice, cold air, oxygen, inert gas).

Carrying out "cold" procedures is widespread in medical practice (therapy, surgery, neuropathology, gastroenterology, sports medicine, etc.). This method is no less popular for cosmetic purposes.

According to many patients, the cryotherapy method is quite simple to perform, relatively affordable, practically painless, and has a high therapeutic efficiency.

How does cold affect the body?

By freezing it is possible to achieve the necessary therapeutic effect due to the activation of metabolism, destruction of pathological parts of the tissue with the regeneration of new cells, and normalization of muscle tone.

The result of improving microcirculation in capillaries, cleansing blood vessels in accelerating blood flow to internal organs is the body's tendency to naturally preserve the body's necessary heat. In addition, the blood saturated with nutrients and oxygen stimulates the activity of the immune and endocrine systems, the elimination of toxins.

The effect of coolants depends on the technique and the way they are used. We are talking about a radical rejection of pathological tissues after their destruction, or only about a more gentle method for a sharp narrowing / expansion of blood vessels with a subsequent increase in blood flow to the treated area.

Deciding when cryotherapy is needed, indications and contraindications regarding its application in each individual case, it should be agreed with specialized specialists.

Indications for cryotherapy:

• treatment of neurodermatitis, dermatitis, psoriasis, senile keratosis;
• use for radiculitis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, osteochondrosis;
• the presence of primary signs of age-related skin changes (wrinkles, drooping of the lower part of the face / eyelids, puffiness, flabbiness, etc.);
• pallor, lethargy of the skin, its anemicity due to blood supply problems;
• cellulite;
• enlargement of the pores of the facial skin, its excessive greasiness;
• acne (acne, post-acne, rosacea);
• benign neoplasms (warts, papillomas, condylomas, moles, etc.);
• hypertrophic scars, post-traumatic scars, including after surgery;
• excess weight;
• baldness (alopecia);
• general strengthening of the body by people who do not have chronic diseases.

Contraindications to cryotherapy:

• individual cold intolerance (allergy), rejection of this method of treatment;
• infectious diseases at different stages of development (bronchitis, flu, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc.);
• cardiovascular decompensation ("jumps" in blood pressure, ischemia, heart attack, stroke, etc.);
• gynecological diseases;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• high temperature;
• oncological problems;
• diseases of the respiratory system and, in particular, lungs (tuberculosis);
• diathesis (hemorrhagic);
• individual mental disorders;
• rosacea;
• migraine;
• epilepsy.

Along with this, experts do not recommend the use of cryotherapy for teenagers under 16 and people of mature age after 60 years.

It is important to keep in mind that this list does not purport to be a complete statement of the reasons why cryotherapy may be used. Indications and contraindications should be determined by specialized specialists together with highly qualified cosmetologists.

To avoid negative consequences, patients, clients of beauty salons, before starting cryotherapy, should undergo an examination, including blood and urine tests, and a cardiogram.

The use of cryotherapy in cosmetology

Eliminating the causes of a medical nature that impede the conduct of cosmetic procedures using cold, allows you to use its capabilities to improve the appearance of the skin.

This concerns, first of all, cleansing the dermis from various defects, its pretreatment before cleaning / peeling / lifting, massage, injections, etc. Cryotherapy methods are quite popular for general rejuvenation of the skin of the whole body, face, hair, hands, legs ...

More specific recommendations on the individual use of cryotherapy in cosmetology, its indications and contraindications can be obtained from specialists. At the same time, one should also remember about the need for them to monitor the progress and results of the procedures being carried out.

Cryotherapy for face

There are 3 directions for facial skin care using cold:

1. Cryomassage provides for appropriate hardware or manual manipulations, which are combined with the anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect of low temperature liquid nitrogen.

1. Cryoelectrophoresis using electrical discharges.
2. Point effect of liquid nitrogen on problem areas of the dermis.

For rejuvenation

Along with local cooling of individual areas of the skin, general cryotherapy for the whole body is widely used. Indeed, in both cases, both therapeutic and anti-aging effects are achieved. This is due to the beneficial response of small arteries to temperature fluctuations, oxygen saturation of cells, and acceleration of cellular metabolism.All this has a positive effect on the nutrition of the skin, and, consequently, their renewal. These processes stimulate nutrition and renewal of the skin, create a lifting effect by mobilizing the internal resources of the body.

General and local cryotherapy, the indications and contraindications for which are indicated above, help to solve many problems, both medical and cosmetic. In this case, it is necessary to make the right choice of its types and the drugs used for them.

Body cryotherapy

This general physiotherapy procedure focuses on the activity of the central nervous system, and not on the vascular response, as with local cryotherapy. Such a short-term procedure is carried out in a special place (cryopool, cryochamber, cryosauna).

In appearance, they are miniature analogs of the containers of the same name. However, unlike their “brothers”, here healing, rejuvenation of the body occurs due to cold, and not warm ablution.

Such devices are designed to cool the entire body except for the head and neck, with warming of limbs with mittens, socks, shoes. Natural fabric underwear is also allowed.

Cryomassage

This procedure is carried out in 2 ways:

1. Using the applicator with a cotton swab dipped in liquid nitrogen.
2. Pressurized jet of this evaporating agent from special equipment.

In both versions, the massage is carried out with quick movements locally or in the direction of the skin lines. The duration of the treatment of one zone is up to 15 seconds, and the entire procedure is no more than 6 minutes.

Cryomassage by many users, cosmetologists compare it with peeling, since the effect on the receptors of the skin is carried out, increasing muscle tone. As a result of this, the epidermis is renewed at the cellular level, its exfoliation.

However, unlike peeling with the use of chemicals, cryomassage is carried out in the form of a 5-minute massage along the corresponding lines of the face with a special applicator with a nozzle using liquid nitrogen.

Short-term contact, according to experts, is completely safe due to the formation of a thin air "cushion" that protects the skin from direct contact with liquid nitrogen. This makes the cooling treatment more gentle on the upper layers of the skin without causing inflammation.

Cryotherapy with ice cubes

During this simple procedure, specially prepared ice cubes are used from frozen ecologically perfect mineral water or herbal decoctions. Along with the cold, an important health aspect here is the addition of nutritive components to oils, fruits, and medicinal plants.

To prepare ice cubes, it is necessary to grind the added plant, pour 0.25 cups of boiling water, leave the mixture for at least 1 hour, cool and pour into molds for cooling.

These blanks can be used to massage cleansed face skin up to 3 times within a week after steam baths (3-5 minutes each). In this case, hypothermia of the skin should be avoided, for which it is recommended to use slightly melted cubes wrapped in a cloth.

At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to apply a contrast compress using a moistened hot towel, followed by washing with cold water.

Cryotherapy for weight loss

The possibility of using cryotherapy against obesity is confirmed by the results of experimental studies. They testify to the effectiveness of the method due to the loss of energy, and then its compensation during the active splitting of fat cells unstable against cold.

At the same time, a low temperature normalizes metabolism, which contributes to the long-term preservation of a hormone in the blood that reduces the feeling of hunger (leptin).

This procedure is especially beneficial for local application (correction of individual zones). In this case, the smoothness of the process of losing weight is noted without negative consequences for the whole body.Along with getting rid of fatty deposits, cryotherapy helps in the fight against cellulite.

For cellulite treatment

At the household level, these external changes in the skin are called "orange peel", "pads", "breeches", "waffle / hilly / bumpy skin".

The appearance of cellulite is caused by an acute inflammation of the fatty subcutaneous tissue, provoked by a weak skin tone, problems with the circulation of lymph and blood. This, in turn, leads to uneven fat deposition, a lack of moisture in the problem area. Cellulite is especially noticeable on the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and arms.

According to doctors, the cause of the formation of cellulite, also called liposclerosis, lipodystrophy, can be streptococcus microbes, which contribute to acute inflammatory processes in the fiber. Scientists believe that this is a kind of reaction of subcutaneous fat to female sex hormones (estrogens).

Exposure to extreme cold in this case has a double effect:

1. Activation of metabolism, blood flow, fat breakdown.
2. Increasing the effectiveness of further anti-cellulite programs (physiotherapy, weight loss courses, ointments, creams, etc.).

The number of procedures can be prescribed by a doctor on an individual basis, based on indications and contraindications, the severity of cellulite.

Don't miss the most popular column article: Plasmolifting of the face - what it is, how it is carried out, results, photos before and after the procedure.

Cryotherapy for hair

This method has a positive effect on increasing blood circulation in the head area, nourishing the roots and hair follicles. After all, it is these processes that are often the root cause of problems with the scalp.

With the help of cryotherapy, prophylactic and therapeutic procedures can be carried out for effective action against such deviations as:

1. fragility, dry hair;
2. baldness;
3. dandruff (seborrhea);
4. hair loss.

The duration of one session of cryomassage for hair is 20 minutes. After the procedure, fragility of the rods is temporarily observed, and then a transformation occurs: increased growth, healthier appearance, splendor.

This method is most effective in combination with medications, masks, lotions, darsonvalization of the skin. An exception is the acceptance of light / heat / laser therapy procedures on the day of cryotherapy.

To achieve the desired effect, it is necessary not to be limited to one-time cooling, but to complete a full course as prescribed by a qualified trichologist. Inhabitants of ecologically unfavorable regions, even in the absence of hair problems, for prevention, it is advisable to take a full course annually.

It is important to take into account that the use of liquid nitrogen drying the skin is allowed only with increased oily scalp!

Skin care after therapy

When carrying out the procedure, it should be borne in mind that the area treated with liquid nitrogen may initially acquire a porous, pink / red color. 30 minutes after cryotherapy, it is necessary to exclude any touch in this area.

After contact with the drug, the formation of a blister is quite natural, and after 2-3 days, the appearance of a crust. Already after 0.5 months, the latter should peel off on its own. It will take no more than 4 months to acquire the original appearance of the skin.

The main rule of skin care after cryotherapy is to minimize the influence of external factors on the treated area. To avoid infection of the resulting blister, it must be closed with an adhesive plaster. In cases of pain and delay in bursting of this formation, you should use the help of a specialist to remove fluid with sterile instruments.

Can cryotherapy be used at home?

For home cryotherapy, procedures can be performed that do not require hardware or liquid nitrogen. Among the most acceptable methods is local use of ice and a contrast shower for the whole body.

Based on the type of facial skin, decoctions of medicinal plants are used in the manufacture of ice cubes. So, for example, to reduce wrinkles, it can be mint; and for the purpose of lightening pigmentation - parsley, lemon juice.

If necessary, plantain herb is added; toning - juices of orange, grapefruit, tangerine, etc. However, all home procedures should be preceded by a consultation with your doctor.

How is the procedure

Before accepting the procedure, a thorough cleaning and treatment with an alcohol solution of the desired area of ​​the skin is carried out. In body cryotherapy, the patient first cools the skin with an air bath, normalizing the functioning of the sweat glands.

Then the procedure is carried out as follows:

• placing the patient in a special device;
• filling the container with a mixture of liquid nitrogen and oxygen (within 2-3 minutes);
• cooling the body with the created chilled mixture to - 150 ° C for 2-5 minutes, and for prophylaxis - up to 3 minutes (the duration of the procedure can be adjusted by specialists individually).

Point cryotherapy is carried out by applying liquid nitrogen to a specific site (warts, scars, papillomas, acne, post-acne, etc.). It is performed using a cotton-tipped applicator. The drug should act on the desired area within 30 seconds.

Cryoelectropheresis is carried out by introducing refrigerated drugs under the skin using electric discharges. At the beginning of the procedure, there is a cold, slight burning sensation, tingling sensation, and upon completion there is an intense rush of heat to the treated skin area.

This allows you to noticeably narrow the pores by freeing the glands from sebaceous blockages, tighten the skin, and improve blood circulation.

How many sessions are required

Cryotherapy course consists of 10-20 procedures. This standard amount can be adjusted by specialists in each case. The need to increase / decrease the number of sessions depends on the reaction of the body and the need to repeat them.

Cryotherapy cost

Pricing in medical centers is determined by their own criteria. This may depend on the doctor's prescription (number of treatment zones, frequency and duration of sessions, use of additional anesthetics, etc.).The cost of cryotherapy in Moscow ranges from 500 to 2,000 rubles per procedure.

Effectiveness and results after cryotherapy

The general benefits of any cryoprocedure are:

• increased muscle tone, elasticity, firmness, skin tightening;
• normalization of blood circulation;
• improvement of metabolic processes, regeneration of body cells, tissue nutrition;
• getting rid of various cosmetic problems;
• strengthening the body's immunity;
• overcoming chronic fatigue.

Knowing the advantages of cryotherapy allows people of all ages to include this method in the system of caring for their bodies. However, the presence of not only indications, but also contraindications presupposes a reasonable combination of different methods of treatment, healing of the whole body or individual parts.

Cryotherapy videos

Cryomassage:

Cold treatment - cryotherapy: