Principle of operation
Cryomassage is a physiotherapeutic procedure aimed at treating or healing a specific area of the body, a characteristic feature of which is the use of cold reagents as the main physical factors affecting the body's cells. A special feature of cryomassage is the instant cooling of skin cells, which is allowed by their cryo-resistance, without changing the processes of thermoregulation (frostbite).
When the body is exposed to cold, a protective reaction occurs, expressed by two factors:
- An initial slowdown in blood flow and an increase in its viscosity. Under the influence of cold, small capillaries, arteries and vessels narrow, the blood becomes thicker and incapable of rapid circulation. Due to this, metabolic processes are significantly dulled, the process of absorption of nutrients and oxygen is suspended. This reaction helps fabrics reduce heat transfer and retain heat much longer.
- The process of restoration to a normal state. When the upper layers of the epidermis freeze, the main brain gives a command to produce a large number of biologically active substances aimed at expanding the vascular tissue. This reaction of the body can be observed in the form of severe redness of the skin due to a decrease in muscle tone, the so-called axon reflex. When body temperature is restored, the access of oxygen to tissues and the transport of nutrients doubles, which helps improve metabolic processes and normalizes the functioning of the endocrine glands.
Consequently, blood circulation in tissues improves, and, accordingly, the transportation of all nutrients necessary for their health and youth. When it comes to the scalp, hair growth is stimulated due to the active saturation of hair follicles with nutrients.
Note! Cryomassage helps restore the acid-base balance of the skin, pH 5.5.
Indications and contraindications
Self-prescription of this procedure is very dangerous, since the body’s reaction can be unpredictable.
If you begin to notice any problems related to hair (weak growth, fragility, intense hair loss) or dermatological manifestations on the skin, you need to contact a dermatologist and trichologist. It is these specialists who will be able to prescribe the optimal course, if necessary.
As a rule, the main indications for cryomassage include:
- seborrhea - excessive secretion of sebum;
- dry and brittle hair;
- rapid loss of volume, thin and thin hair;
- androgenetic alopecia - active hair loss caused by a variety of disorders in the body;
- baldness at an early age, which is caused by poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and microelements, hormonal imbalance;
- alopecia alopecia - partial hair loss (more common in men);
- increased sensitivity of the scalp;
- the formation of dandruff, which cannot be treated with cosmetics;
- itching, tightness of the scalp.
Cryomassage of the head is also used to enhance the effect of other medical procedures and is carried out half an hour before them.
But still, this type of therapy has some contraindications:
- allergic reaction to cold, causing itching and severe burning;
- presence of active herpes viruses;
- frequent suppuration of the skin in the head area;
- fungal or infectious dermatological diseases;
- migraines, systematic headaches;
- epilepsy, mental disorders.
Result
A noticeable result is achieved relatively quickly - after 2-3 sessions, hair growth and condition improves.
Treatment of alopecia is especially successful when its cause is eliminated. To identify this cause, an examination by an endocrinologist and trichologist is sometimes necessary. Mesotherapy is most effective for reactive baldness (provoked by some factor). Mesotherapy relieves dandruff and painful itching on the scalp. In some cases, the cosmetologist alternates different cocktail compositions for greater effectiveness. The effectiveness and safety of the procedure quickly made it popular among patients.
Devices and technologies for the procedure
Cryomassage of the scalp is performed with liquid nitrogen, which acts as a cold contact reagent. There are two technologies for carrying out this procedure: contact massage and non-contact aero-cryomassage.
A liquid nitrogen
It is the most common and popular; this service is available in almost all modern cosmetology centers and beauty salons. The principle of this procedure is very simple.
First, it is necessary to conduct a cold test of the patient’s skin in order to establish the body’s reaction and determine the cold threshold. This test is called an ice test.
If a person does not experience discomfort, there is no redness on the skin, there is no itching, then there are no contraindications to cryotherapy. No preliminary hair or skin preparation is required!
The procedure can be performed both over the entire head area and locally. The technician takes a special applicator and dips it into a container of liquid nitrogen. With smooth but deft movements, liquid nitrogen is applied to the scalp along the parting lines, avoiding contact with the hair itself.
If a large amount of nitrogen gets on your hair, it can freeze and break off. This application is repeated 3-4 times on each massage line and lasts about 5-7 seconds. In total, the entire procedure will take about 15–20 minutes.
Non-contact aero massage
It has the same principle of operation and is no different from the contact method, except for the technique of execution. The cosmetologist installs a special attachment on the device (a nitrogen cylinder) and sprays nitrogen along the massage lines.
The technique and experience of the specialist play an important role, because excess nitrogen can negatively affect the skin and hair. The procedure also consists of 3-4 repetitions along each line.
Times change
The older a person gets, the more, unfortunately, he develops chronic diseases, which also affect the health of the hair. In addition, each age has its own characteristics. For example, a premenopausal woman's hormonal levels change, the amount of female hormones estrogen decreases, and even if she has never had problems with hair, hair loss and a decrease in its density become a fairly common complaint at this time. This is typical for hormonal changes. For this case, there is hormone replacement therapy. But it should be prescribed by a trichologist together with a gynecologist-endocrinologist.
Regardless of gender, the older the patients, the more diseases they develop: type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension. They may not directly, but indirectly affect the condition of the hair.
Any disease, of course, affects the health of the whole body. The problem can appear at any age, so you need to be examined and treated promptly.
Features of the course of treatment
Hair treatment with liquid nitrogen involves a specific course, consisting of several procedures that are carried out at a certain interval. It all depends on the severity of the disease, as well as on the individual characteristics of the person (skin and hair type). A trichologist will be able to select the optimal course, taking into account all the factors of the disease and the recommendations of a dermatologist.
The minimum course consists of 10–12 sessions, which are performed with an interval of one day after each procedure. Cryomassage of the head with liquid nitrogen is a quite affordable procedure, the average cost of which in the regions of the Russian Federation is 900–1000 rubles.
Attention! Most clinics and cosmetology centers offer discounts on treatment courses, thereby significantly reducing the cost of one procedure. Thus, the full course will cost about 8–9 thousand rubles.
Areas of application of cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is mainly used in medicine and cosmetology practice. In addition to the fact that the procedure has a general tonic and strengthening effect on the entire body, it also helps fight a number of diseases:
- Chronic tonsillitis. The affected tonsils are frozen. This procedure is safe and non-traumatic; it has become an excellent alternative to surgery.
- Pharyngitis. In this case, cryotherapy is performed under local anesthesia. The procedure can be performed one or more times depending on the severity of the pathology.
- Rhinitis. Cryotherapy treats catarrhal and allergic forms of the disease, eliminates difficulty breathing and nasal congestion, and removes purulent discharge.
- Adenoids. Cryotherapy for this pathology is carried out using a special attachment. The procedure helps to reduce the size of formations and normalize breathing.
- Gynecological diseases , for example, cervical erosion.
- Skin pathologies.
In cosmetology offices and beauty salons, cryotherapy is used in the following cases:
- Removal of moles and papillomas. The procedure is absolutely painless. The formations are cauterized with liquid nitrogen. After this, there are no scars or scars left.
- Cryomassage and cryopilling.
Read material on the topic: How to increase skin elasticity
What effect can be achieved
When exposed to cold temperatures, superficial vessels narrow significantly, slowing blood flow. After some time, the reverse process begins, as the brain gives a command for more active blood supply to the cooled areas.
The muscle tissue relaxes, a pronounced dilation of blood vessels occurs, and the transportation of blood and lymph increases significantly. Due to this, the skin is able to absorb more oxygen.
After the procedure, all metabolic processes of the skin become more intense, the work of the sebaceous glands and endocrine glands is normalized, and the flow of nutrients to the hair follicles increases.
Cryomassage of the head is an excellent therapeutic procedure for the scalp and hair, and positive reviews from satisfied patients serve as evidence of this. Also on various forums and websites of cosmetology clinics you can see photos before and after cryomassage.
Cryomassage of the head at home
At home, you can massage your scalp with ice cubes. For the best effect, it is worth adding herbal infusions, aromatic oils, fruit or vegetable juices, or even chopped berries and fruits to the freezing water.
When choosing a particular herbal ice supplement, you need to look at its ability to cope specifically with your problem (oily hair, itching, dandruff, lack of nutrients).
The scalp should be stroked with an ice cube along the massage lines or a specific area should be massaged locally. Before the procedure, the ice cube should be slightly defrosted and wrapped in a paper napkin, leaving one part open (it will be more convenient to hold it this way).
Advantages and disadvantages
Everyone who wants to try this technique for themselves often asks safety questions: can nitrogen damage the skin or the hair itself, and what unpleasant consequences can be expected. It is worth remembering that absolutely all side effects are associated with neglect of the indications and contraindications for this procedure, as well as with violations of the technique of its implementation. Hair treatment with liquid nitrogen is performed by a specially trained professional with experience. Carrying out such a procedure on your own at home is strictly prohibited. This is perhaps the only drawback.
The advantage of this treatment is considered to be the impact directly on internal problems (impaired blood circulation, poor functioning of the endocrine glands, activation of dead hairy areas), while cosmetic procedures only mask the problems and have a short-term effect.
