With the summer season in full swing, our thoughts have been quickly turning to ice. We’re not talking the snowy slopes of Val d’Isère, however, but the numerous benefits that cooling products, device sand treatments bring to our skin, from banishing puffiness, refining pores and soothing redness to reducing signs of ageing, improving circulation and boosting the effectiveness of skincare products on our complexions — to name a few.
Just like throwing your go-to products in the fridge for maximum effect, top facialists and makeup artists have been using ice as a secret weapon for quite some time. Lisa Eldridge, for example, swears by ice facials to refresh jet lagged models, while Gwyneth Paltrow has long sung the praises of cold water therapy for both its physical and mental health effects. Then there’s simply icing your face at home which, while it might be easy, low-cost and offer immediate de-puffing results when done correctly, isn’t always recommended by the experts. “It’s much safer to use a professionally designed skincare tool,” leading UK-based aesthetic doctor Dr Usman Qureshi tells MOJEH. “These devices have been designed to control and regulate the temperature you’re exposing your skin to. Exposing your complexion to pure ice for an extended period of time can actually make skin redder and exacerbate the conditions you’re attempting to relieve.” In addition, you can harm skin cells by exposing them to ice in one position for too long, so always opt for a temperature-controlled tool to avoid damaging your face. That said, professional low-temperature tools and techniques can really pack a punch, so there's no better time to get out in the cold with winter-inspired treatments. The question is: can you handle it?
Ice Bath
More than just a quick way to cool down, ice baths have been growing in popularity ever since Wim Hof (otherwise known as the Iceman) waxed lyrical about both the physical and mental benefits of cold water therapy on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Netflix show The Goop Lab. Luckily there’s no need to hunt out an ice cold lake on your travels this year — ReFIVE Spa Palm Jumeirah’s in-house ice bath is fast becoming one of its top wellness treatments. Not only does cold water immersion reduce inflammation in the muscles by constricting our blood vessels, benefits also include improved sleep patterns, stress reduction,an increase in metabolism and even a boost in immunity. Book now
Whole Body Cryotherapy
While cryotherapy might be nothing new, it’s still a huge beauty buzzword, and Resync in DIFC is taking it to a whole new level with its Whole Body Cryotherapy Room which can fit up to four people (Cryo party, anyone?). The clinic is also home to a Cryo T-Shock Machine which, alternating between warm and cold at different times, is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to remove cellulite and undesired fat, while it can also be used on the face to both lift and increase the production of collagen. Book now
Cool Sculpting
One of the most popular fat-freezing procedures on the market, Cool Sculpting is considered the safest non-surgical treatment for body contouring, using controlled cooling (ie. freezing) to target those pockets of stubborn fat that are often resistant to dieting and exercising. Available for use on most areas of the body, most commonly treated areas include the abdomen, ‘muffin top’ area and back, and even those festively-induced double chins. Book now
Fire and Ice Facial
Bridging the gap between salon facial and invasive clinical peel — and with the benefits of no downtime — the renowned Fire and Ice Facial is designed to resurface the skin quickly without causing any residual peeling. Known as the ‘red carpet facial’ thanks to its popularity among the likes of Halle Berry and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a cooling, rejuvenating‘ice’ mask the follows an intensive resurfacing treatment to provide hydration and plump the skin while soothing and calming inflammation. Book this in before an important event for a subtle yet effective glow. Book now
