In recent years, the idea of ice baths has taken an intriguing turn. No longer confined to athletic recovery, ice baths are now being applied directly to the face, creating a buzz on social media platforms. Promoted as a new frontier in skincare, facial ice baths claim an array of benefits, from reducing inflammation to enhancing skin health.
A face ice bath consists of dipping your face into clean ice water for up to 30 seconds. This will temporarily slow heart rate, constrict blood flow in the face, and activate the vagus nerve. This practice has potential benefits and risks.
In this article, we dive deep into the world of facial ice baths, examining their potential benefits, the scientific basis behind them, and any associated risks.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The science behind cold water face immersion and its impact on the body’s autonomic nervous system.
- The effects of facial ice baths on skin health, including inflammation, puffiness, and acne management.
- The potential mental and emotional benefits of facial ice baths, such as stress and anxiety relief.
- The risks posed by facial ice baths, including irritation, impaired blood flow, and potential cardiac risks.
By exploring these aspects, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of whether facial ice baths are beneficial or just a passing trend.
The Science Behind Face Ice Baths
Let’s first look at the real science behind what actually happens when you dip your face in icy cold water, or do a fancy “ice facial.” While there are not a ton of studies examining the benefits in detail, there are several that show how the body reacts to this practice.
1. How the Body Reacts to Cold Water Face Immersion
Cold water face immersion activates what is known as the “diving response”. This response involves both the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system and leads to various changes in the body, such as a slowdown in heart rate, constriction of blood vessels in the systemic circulation, and redirection of oxygen-rich blood to sensitive cells, especially in the brain.
A 2023 study [1] focused on understanding the body’s reaction when the cardiac response to face immersion in cold water and resting heart rate. This research involved 65 healthy volunteers (37 women and 28 men), averaging 21.13 years of age.
The participants were asked to hold their breath after a deep inhale and then immerse their faces in cold water between 46-50°F(8-10°C) for as long as they could. The researchers measured the participants’ heart rates at rest and during the cold-water face immersion.
Other research shows that the general immersion of skin in water may
The results of this specific study were that slowing of the heart, or a cardio-depressive response occurs, but how much depends on initial resting heart rate and factors like gender.
2. How Does a Face Ice Bath Affect Your Skin?
Icing your face in any manner will cool the skin and some deeper muscle tissue. Research has shown that using repeated, rather than lengthy, application of ice can help sustain reduced muscle temperature and less risk of damage to the skin [2]. This can let the surface skin temperature to return to normal while deeper muscle temperature still remains lower.
However, this same research showed the best way is to apply ice wrapped in a wet towel for longer about minutes at a time for soft tissue injuries [2]. This method keeps your skin’s surface temperature normal while the deeper muscles stay cool, which is great for easing pain and inflammation in soft tissue injuries.
The reduction of inflammation, swelling, blood flow, and pain that occurs when the face is cooled should help with acne. However, the only some of the only solid evidence is found with cryotherapy, which is a much colder form of therapy. One study using cryotherapy on the skin [3] resulted in a reduction of the production of sebum, or skin oil. This can help ease acne and could be an indicator that icing the face may do the same to a lesser degree.
When it comes to your skin getting wet, either from a quick dip or a short shower, you’ll notice your skin does get a moisture boost. But this doesn’t last too long – the extra hydration goes away in about 10 minutes [4]. Even though it’s brief, this moisture surge is good for your skin, helping it stay healthy and keeping up its natural protective barrier.
3. Do Icy Face Baths Make You Feel Less Tired?
People often use face baths or simply splashing cold water on their face to wake up or to focus, but does this really work?
Well, one study involving ten men exercising in a hot environment [5] revealed that intermittent cooling of the face with cold significantly reduced their perceived exertion. This cooling was applied to the forehead, eyes, and cheeks, for 10 seconds at a time while exercising. This suggests that facial cooling can be an effective way to enhance comfort and reduce the feeling of fatigue, especially in warm conditions.
In another study conducted in 2010 study [6] involving 13 men, researchers looked at how dipping your face in cold water can help you relax faster after exercising.
The participants first did a tough workout, including a short, intense bike test and a 5-minute run, with breaks in between. After this, they either sat quietly or put their face in cold water for 5 minutes.
The study measured how quickly their hearts calmed down afterward using special heart rate calculations that show how well the relaxation part of the nervous system is working.
The results were clear: cold water face immersion promotes a faster recovery of parasympathetic nervous system activity after exercise. In other words, putting your face in cold water makes the heart and body relax much quicker compared to just sitting down.
Potential Benefits of Face Ice Baths
Let’s look at some of the potential benefits of ice baths that are generally suggested. While there hasn’t been enough research directly using ice water on the face to be certain it is totally safe for these outcomes, these benefits are often assumed.
1. Reduced Inflammation
When you submerge your face in ice water, it can help decrease inflammation. The cold temperature constricts your blood vessels, potentially improving blood flow to the area. This response can temporarily lessen swelling and redness, similar to how ice is used to reduce inflammation in injuries. The decrease in temperature helps to drain excess fluids from the lymphatic system, which also aids in decreasing facial puffiness.
2. Stress and Anxiety Relief
The intense cold sensation of an ice bath on the face can significantly impact your mental and emotional well-being. The shock to your system from the cold water triggers your body’s relaxation response. As you immerse your face in the icy water, you might experience a sense of calmness, focus, and relief.
3. Promotes General Skin Health
Cold treatments like facial ice baths may brighten your complexion. The constriction of blood vessels in your face due to the cold can lessen the appearance of pores and wrinkles, making you look lighter, brighter, and more radiant overall. As the vessels dilate again to warm you up, this increased blood flow can bring fresh blood and nutrients to your skin, potentially improving its health and appearance.
4. Reducing Puffiness
Ice baths are particularly effective in lessening the appearance of under-eye bags. The lymphatic drainage that reduces overall puffiness can specifically target the puffy under-eye area. Gently icing under the eyes can help potentiall release fluid buildup, drain toxins, and cause a tightening effect, making the skin appear more toned and less swollen
5. Helps With Acne
It’s possible that ice baths for the face might assist in managing acne symptoms. The cold temperature could potentially help in soothing inflammation and reducing redness, which are often associated with acne. While this effect offers immediate cooling, it may also lead to a more balanced and smoother skin appearance. However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of ice baths in significantly improving acne conditions is not conclusively proven, and results can vary from person to person.
Potential Risks Of Ice Bathing the Face
Face ice baths haven’t been sufficiently researched enough to be deemed safe for everyone, and they carry certain risks that should be considered. Understanding the risks of cold water therapy is essential for anyone considering ice water facials or any cold water therapy. Some of the potential dangers associated with this practice are:
1. Irritation and Burning Sensation
When ice is applied directly to the skin, it can cause a burning sensation or irritation. This is because the extreme cold can be too harsh for delicate facial skin. An alternative, if this is experienced, is to wrap ice cubes in a clean soft cloth, before applying them to the face.
2. Problems with Sensitive or Dry Skin
For those with sensitive skin, ice facials can worsen skin issues, and potentially cause pain and irritation. Individuals with dry skin may also experience increased irritation if they regularly engage in facial ice baths.
3. Impaired Blood Flow
The extreme cold of ice water facials can affect the blood flow to the skin. This is particularly concerning for individuals with pre-existing skin conditions or tissue damage, who should seek medical advice before trying ice facials.
4. Cardiac Risks
There are always heart-related risks because of the initial shock of the cold that then forces a change in body temperature and slowing of heart rate. This risk is of course higher for those individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
5. Numbness and Tingling
Prolonged exposure to cold on the face can lead to numbness and tingling sensations. The nerves react to the intense cold by essentially ‘shutting down,’ leading to a loss of sensation. While this might not be harmful in the short term, repeated and prolonged exposure could potentially cause longer-term sensory issues.
Should You Start Dunking Your Face In Ice Water?
Ice baths for the face specifically have not been studied thoroughly enough to prove solidify benefits for facial skin. However, certain bodily reactions like vagus nerve activation, slowing of heart rate, and skin vasodilation could point to their potential benefits. The most certain benefits are reduced anxiety, perceived fatigue, and calming effects.
However, it’s important to remember that the skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body. It’s thinner and can react more strongly to extreme cold. So, while putting your face in icy water might sound like a cool idea for some quick benefits, it could be a bit risky for your delicate facial skin.
An ice bath can provide the same benefits and more, without the worry of dunking your sensitive face into ice-cold water. Plus, a full-body dip in cold water has been shown to help with things like blood flow and even burning fat.
References
- Malinowski, Krzysztof S et al. “Resting Heart Rate Affects Heart Response to Cold-Water Face Immersion Associated with Apnea.” Biology vol. 12,6 869. 15 Jun. 2023, doi:10.3390/biology12060869
- Mac Auley DC. Ice therapy: how good is the evidence? Int J Sports Med. 2001 Jul;22(5):379-84. doi: 10.1055/s-2001-15656. PMID: 11510876.
- Ray Jalian H, Tam J, Vuong LN, Fisher J, Garibyan L, Mihm MC, Zurakowski D, Evans CL, Rox Anderson R. Selective Cryolysis of Sebaceous Glands. J Invest Dermatol. 2015 Sep;135(9):2173-2180. doi: 10.1038/jid.2015.148. Epub 2015 Apr 10. PMID: 25860384.
- Nitiyarom R, Anuntarumporn L, Wisuthsarewong W. Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss after bathing compared between immersion and showering. Skin Res Technol. 2021 Sep;27(5):896-903. doi: 10.1111/srt.13039. Epub 2021 Mar 26. PMID: 33769640
- Al Haddad, Hani et al. “Influence of cold water face immersion on post-exercise parasympathetic reactivation.” European journal of applied physiology vol. 108,3 (2010): 599-606. doi:10.1007/s00421-009-1253-9
- Miyazawa, Taiki et al. “Intermittent face cooling reduces perceived exertion during exercise in a hot environment.” Journal of physiological anthropology vol. 40,1 12. 6 Sep. 2021, doi:10.1186/s40101-021-00262-0
