I would try anything once in the name of beauty. I mean,I inhaled a fried tarantula earlier this year!I think if my teachers in school had taught me chemistry based on the science that goes into the beauty industry, I would’ve aced that class.Of course, instead, they talked about covalent bonds, redox reductions and lawsI never cared to remember.
Before I left for the US, one of the PR companies inSingapore invited me to try a cryotherapy session at Absolute Zero, anaesthetics centre in the city. Cryotherapy is a treatment that exposes the body toultra-low temperatures, triggering a systemic anti-inflammatory response.
This was first utilised in Japan in 1978 to treat rheumatoid arthritis.Studies conducted in Europe over the last two decades have established cryotherapy as a powerful treatment for inflammatory disorders and injuries.The treatments have been used to accelerate the production of collagen, improve skin elasticity and texture, reverse skin aging, and reduce theappearance of cellulite.
Cryotherapy is also marketed as a weight-loss method.According to the PR people, since the system chills the body (using nitrogen inits gaseous state), it causes an increase in the basal metabolic rate. A singlesession can burn up to 1,000 calories. It is suggested that peoplewho are serious about weight loss should go for a session every day, but that, of course, isdependent on whether or not you can afford it.
I didn’t expect miracles when I showed up. While I have started planning on ageing gracefully, I don’tneed drastic help when it comes to my skin growing older; and while I’dbe thrilled to lose 20 pounds, I actually enjoy exercise and I’mnot going to depend on a treatment to help me lose weight.
I was told to strip down to my knickers before I was letinto the cylindrical metal chamber. Within three minutes, thetemperature in the chamber would be lowered to negative-110 degrees Celsius; itcould go lower for those who are used to the treatments, but my teeth werealready chattering.
Admittedly, after the three minutes, I had neither thepost-gym flush of sweating out 1000 calories, nor did I feel like therewere any changes to my body, which can be either a good or bad thing,depending on how you look at it.
To further demonstrate the effectiveness of the product,the good people wanted to show me the immediate difference cryotherapy wouldhave on the skin, and it is best shown on the face.
Using a wand, a controlledbeam of vaporized liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the skin of the face,scalp and neck area. The surface of the skin is enhanced immediately--poreswill appear much smaller, which is basic science anyway; the cold makes thingscontract. Anyinflammation and puffiness is removed, and collagen production is stimulated.
I did see an immediate difference when cryotherapy wasused on my face, and it took less than five minutes. One side of my face, whichhad already gone through the treatment, is tighter than the skinon the other side of my face.
What do you think? Would you try it?