If applying ice on the face is your beauty mantra, wait until you read this

All the credit goes to the chikni chameli of B-town, Katrina Kaif, who made applying ice on the face such a rage! But before we follow anything and everything celebs post on their Instagram feeds, we need to be a little more cautious and figure out if it works for us or not!

Yes, you heard it right girls. This ice hack is not meant for everyone, and if you belong to this tribe, you can face some serious trouble. Want to know more about the side-effects of applying ice on your face? Keep scrolling!

Applying ice on the face is not meant for people with sensitive skin

This ice hack is essentially all about reducing acne, improving blood circulation, etc. but according to ace dermatologist Dr Ajay Rana, applying ice directly on your skin might cause delicate skin capillaries to break. 

He explains, “People tend to use ice cubes immediately on their face after being out in the sun for a long time. But they don’t realise that this act of theirs can lead to severe headaches. That happens because of the capillary damage.”

Another thing to keep in mind is how long you rub the ice cube on your face. 

You may also like

Make traditional Ayurveda a part of your skincare routine with this PavitraPlus beauty kit Watch Video

Amino acids for skin: 5 benefits and how to use Read Article

According to Dr Rana, applying ice on the face is good, but doing it for a longer duration can harm the skin. It can cause itching and redness on the skin. Don’t use it directly on the skin, as its regular use can give frost bites, resulting in dead cells of the skin. It can cause herpes rashes on the face and lips. 

Your health question get answered? Get expert backed answers by HealthShot’s AI-powered chatbot

Ask Now

“Be careful with ice rubbing. After the procedure, the pores get narrow, leading to a delay in the secretion of sweat and sebaceous glands.  After applying the ice on the face, the pores close, so any kind of face creams can’t be used”, he advises. 

If you have dry skin, applying ice on the face is clearly a NO for you

People who have damaged or broken capillaries should definitely avoid using ice on their faces. Wait a few days for these capillaries to heal, before icing your skin. If your face already has pimples or inflammation, try icing alternate nights before going to bed. 

During the winter season, refrain from applying ice on the face, since the decreased blood circulation will cause dryness and flakiness, leading to irritation of the skin. People who have dilated blood vessels should not use ice. People who have thin or sensitive skin on the face,  and already suffer from inflammation, colds, wounds or scratches, eczema, sinusitis temperature, and problems with capillaries should avoid using ice on their face.

If you think it’s a great hack, learn the right way to use it

“Wrap some ice cubes in a thin washcloth or handkerchief, and apply it on the face. If you want, you can also freeze ingredients such as tomato pulp, aloe vera juice, and cucumber juice in an ice tray to give the skin an extra dose of nutrients. Don’t apply ice on the skin more than once a day,” recommends Dr Rana. 

If you have sensitive skin, don’t apply ice cubes directly to the face. Use a towel or a cold compress to apply ice on the face. Do not leave an ice pack or cube on a particular area of the face for more than a minute. Also, be extra careful while applying ice cubes around the eyes. Don’t rub too hard under the eyes, as it’s a sensitive area. 

Always massage and rub the ice in small circular motions for a maximum of two to three minutes. If you feel a burning sensation or any discomfort while applying ice, please stop the procedure and consult your dermatologist

Just because Katrina Kaif is doing something doesn’t make it right for you. Know your skin and consult a specialist, before you indulge in a skincare routine. Otherwise, it can backfire.