Cryotherapy / Cryo Facial

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen vapor at approximately -130°C delivered via a hose or specialized handpiece. When cold air contacts skin, several responses are triggered: (1) Rapid vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation — improving circulation and causing the "cryo glow." (2) Inflammatory cytokine suppression — reducing redness and inflammation. (3) Cold shock proteins are produced — similar to heat shock proteins, these trigger cellular repair mechanisms. (4) Mild collagen stimulation over repeated sessions. The face is treated for 3–5 minutes — too brief for frostbite but sufficient for therapeutic response.

Sessions last 10–20 minutes total. Skin should be cleansed and dry. The technician uses a cryo wand or hose to expose the face to cold vapor at a safe distance. You feel an intense cold — surprising but not typically painful (it transitions to numbness quickly). Do not apply the wand directly to skin or let it linger — the technician moves continuously. Post-treatment: skin appears instantly brighter and tighter. Slight redness possible for 30–60 minutes. No other post-care required.

Whole-body cryotherapy chambers became popular in Korea around 2015, and facial cryotherapy followed. Korean sports medicine clinics were early adopters, offering face cryotherapy as a recovery and skin treatment in one. The "cryo facial" was popularized in the US by celebrity dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross and celebrities like Demi Moore. In Korea, facial cryotherapy is offered as a prep treatment before major events (the "Korean secret" for award show skin). Caution: this is distinct from at-home "ice rolling" or DIY ice cube massage.