Recently, a video sharing tips on how to keep skin youthful on TikTok has garnered significant attention.
Specifically, the video shows a TikToker taking ice cubes from the refrigerator and placing them in a basin of water, then submerging their face directly into the basin. The video notes the “10s x5” formula, which means to immerse the face in ice water 5 times, with each immersion lasting about 10 seconds.
The video quickly attracted many viewers, especially among women. Some commented that they would save this tip for future use, while others expressed concerns about the potential dangers of this method.
The user Minh Ngọc commented: “It doesn’t work, you’re likely to get frostbite.” Another user, Thanh Nghi, stated that this beauty method is unscientific, especially for those with sinusitis, who should not attempt it.
Image taken from the video sharing beauty tips that has attracted widespread attention on TikTok.
Regarding this skin rejuvenation tip, Dr. Trần Vũ Anh Đào from the Dermatology Department at the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital stated that submerging the face directly in ice water can cause frostbite, contact dermatitis, or heat urticaria…
“When immersing the face in cold water (10-15 degrees Celsius), it helps tighten pores, reduce oiliness, and stimulate circulation for the skin. However, this method only has temporary effects. The changes in the skin after immersing in cold water are due to the immediate effect; when the skin is exposed to cold temperatures, there are no long-term benefits,” Dr. Đào explained.
Another beneficial effect of submerging the skin in cold water is to reduce inflammation and swelling. Additionally, when feeling stressed, immersing the face in cold water can stimulate the release of endorphins, the happiness hormones, beneath the skin.
However, there are some important considerations: Use clean water; do not immerse directly if you have open wounds, severe inflammation, or irritation; combine with moisturizing after immersion to prevent skin from drying out. Notably, the frequency should be 10-15 seconds per immersion, not exceeding 1-2 minutes total, 2-3 times a week, and should not be overdone.
According to Dr. Đào, there is currently no research proving that immersing the face in ice water will rejuvenate the skin. Depending on the skin type (dry, oily, combination, etc.), there are appropriate skincare methods.
“To achieve beautiful skin, it is essential to have healthy skin. Therefore, if any skin conditions are noticed, one must visit a hospital for examination and obtain a suitable skincare regimen. Particularly, one should be cautious before applying beauty tips from social media,” Dr. Đào warned.
