You’ve heard of ice hotels and ice bars. Although neither of those options sounds very appealing to me in the dead of winter, many people seem to enjoy them. Now, this icy trend is showing up at spas, where chilly treatments include cooling facials or plunges in cold pools. If you’re in need of a blast of energy, this is a sure way to get it!
Why would someone subject themselves to an icy spa treatment? Cold temperatures are great at reducing inflammation and helping to soothe aches and pains. Think about places like Russia or Finland, where it’s popular to get steamy hot in a sauna and then jump into icy water. Many spas here in the U.S. are tapping into this trend and embracing the healing powers of ice.
When having a cold-spa experience, keep in mind that they generally incorporate both heat and cold, such as a warm body wrap followed by a cold one. Hot and cold stone massages are also popular, as are hot and cold facials or jet-water treatments with both hot and cold water. We all know that heat has benefits for your body, including relaxation, so why not add to your treatment by taking advantage of the powers of cold? Think invigoration, stimulation and energy. You’ll feel great!
Spas are even believed to be good for getting over the cold and flu (but not cold spas…)
Here are some places to try out a cold-spa experience.
StaySpa Resort on Castle Rock Lake
StaySpa Resort on Castle Rock Lake, located in Wisconsin, offers many hydrotherapy treatments in its soaking pools. With its Hot/Cold Plunge, you first soak in a hot tub for a few minutes, and then transfer to a cold-plunge tub, which is set at 65 degrees, for 30 seconds. This process is repeated five to 10 times.
This spa reports that cold baths cause the small blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow and giving the skin a reddish, healthy glow. Cold but refreshing!
Standard Spa Miami Beach
There are a couple of chilly options at the Standard Spa Miami Beach. The Cold Rain Shower, which is meant to increase circulation and help the body flush out waste, is best used in conjunction with the sauna and steam rooms. The Arctic Plunge Pool, which is set at a chilly 50 degrees, will increase your heart rate and circulation. Full-muscle body contractions will clear toxins and other impurities from the body. One minute or less is enough to do the trick.
Cedar Stone Wellness Spa
If you want to try out a hot and cold stone massage, head to Cedar Stone Wellness Spa in Virginia. Hot and cold natural basalt stones are applied to your skin in order to rejuvenate tired and sore muscles. Choose from either a 70-minute or 90-minute treatment.
Kala Spring Spa
Located in Connecticut, the Kala Spring Spa offers a unique treatment: A hot towel/cold stone face massage. Hot towels and cold stones, along with lavender essential oils, are used to relax and rejuvenate the face muscles. The aim is to alleviate sinus problems and headaches and to promote relaxation. A 10-minute mini-treatment featuring just the cold stones is also available.
The Right Touch Massage Therapy
The Right Touch Massage Therapy in Arizona offers cold stone massages and also massages that incorporate both hot and cold stones. These stones are hand-crafted marble and when used cold, help to reduce inflammation and swelling. This treatment is also a good pain reliever. When hot and cold stones are used in conjunction, it results in a great vascular workout and promotes deep-core relaxation.
Venus Bodywork
Venus Bodywork in San Francisco offers a Skin-Firming, Cryotherapy Body Wrap. This cooling wrap helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and loose skin. It gets rid of excess fluid and stimulates circulation and gives an overall firm and toned appearance. This is a great treatment if you have loose skin due to aging or extreme weight loss, and is also a great treatment post-pregnancy.
CryoSpa
Located in Oklahoma, CryoSpa is entirely dedicated to cryotherapy treatments. This spa uses cold temperatures to help a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, back pain and fatigue. Treatments are also available for acne, cellulite reduction and improved complexions. Here you enter a sauna that slowly fills with nitrogen gas, which reduces your skin temperature to 30 degrees within three minutes. This results in a release of endorphins and increased circulation.
If this sounds a bit unpleasant, keep in mind that the nitrogen creates a dry cold, which can be much more comfortable than an ice bath. You also get to wear socks and gloves during the treatment.
Try it at Home
If some of those treatments sound a little too extreme for you, there’s no need to worry. It’s easy to reap the benefits of a hot and cold treatment in your own home. Simply sit in a warm bath or steam shower anywhere from five to 10 minutes, and then finish off with a 10-second, cold-water shower. It is truly exhilarating and a great way to wake up and get moving.
Just be sure to start your cold shower after your body is properly warmed up, in order to make sure your blood vessels are properly stimulated. This is a great way to feel rejuvenated and refreshed, and is a great way to start your day.
It’s certainly worth giving a cold spa treatment a try. You’ll go home feeling refreshed and invigorated, with glowing skin. That’s a perfect winter pick-me-up.
*Photos from the StaySpa Resort website.