Turns out, time passes. Cryotherapy is touted as a miracle cure that keeps skin looking younger, by reducing inflammation, boosting collagen production and encouraging skin regeneration. If you’re not yet on board with embracing those fine lines (laughter lines we say), here’s what’s involved.
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1 The blast of icy air makes you glow
If you've ever enticed yourself out of a warm sofa to go for a bracing run in the wind or snow, well firstly, we salute you. And if you've caught a glimpse of your reflection post-run, you'll know the kind of glow we're talking about. When your skin is exposed to chilly temperatures the blood vessels tighten, then flush with fresh blood as you warm back up giving you a youthful je ne sais quoi.
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2 It also reduces inflammation
According to one study, cryotherapy can boost the level of anti-inflammatories in your body. These microscopic superheroes fight off inflammation, your skin's number one enemy. Inflammation isn't just about swelling: it's also one of the major culprits behind signs of ageing like wrinkles and sagging, as well as skin issues like acne and rosacea.
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3 It can stimulate collagen production too
Ah collagen, the superstar behind skin elasticity. Some say cryotherapy encourages your body to produce more of it. The theory goes that being exposed to extremely cold temperatures sends your body into survival mode. When you step out of the chamber, the rush of fresh blood revives your functions – including the ones that produce collagen. This brand new collagen supply then leaves skin looking much more absent of any fine lines than it was 30 minutes ago.
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4 What's the verdict?
While the scientific jury's currently out on whether or not cryotherapy truly is the fountain of youth, those who've tried it love it. And as far as we're concerned, if there's a guilt-free alternative to going running in chilly winds, it's worth investigating.
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