Courteney Cox, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rita Ora hail -200C cryotherapy as the ultimate wellness hack - but as experts warn it could leave you disfigured, could the trend be left out in the cold?
- As Courteney Cox reveals she used the therapy, FEMAIL takes a closer look
- READ MORE: Cryotherapy is the latest Hollywood fad to arrive in Britain, but what is it REALLY like? MOLLY CLAYTON put it to the test with surprising results!
Friends star Courteney Cox is known for being able to laugh at herself - particularly when it comes to her A-list health regime.
The 60-year-old recently filmed herself crawling into a freezer after a workout in a clip posted to Instagram - and joked: 'What? It's cryotherapy.'
But despite the star jesting about the treatment, which was originally used by athletes, it has now made its way into the mainstream, attracting thousands of fans to the treatment
Cryotherapy - which literally means 'cold therapy' - tricks the body into thinking it has hypothermia and is used to combat injuries.
It has also become a 'wellness hack' used by celebrities including the likes of Gary Barlow, Rita Ora and model Alessandra Ambrosio.
But experts have warned that if used incorrectly, or cheaply, the fad could actually be extremely dangerous.
Friends actress Courteney Cox poked fun at one of Hollywood celebrities' beloved workout trends as she filmed herself crawling into a freezer after a workout
Cryotherapy has in the past been known to cause frostbite, disfigurement and even amnesia in those who have splashed out on the treatment.
The procedure is not currently recommended by medical professionals due to a lack of evidence.
Celebrities are immersing themselves in the freezing chambers, which can reach up to -200C, in the hope that it will help with anti-ageing and weight loss.
James Bond star Daniel Craig 'bolstered' his fitness training with the technique when he was filming Skyfall; footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has a £500,000 ice chamber at home; and Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton has a session after every race.
Footballer Marcus Rashford has also used a 'cyrosauna', where a person's head stays outside the tank, which is then filled with nitrogen.
A study has even claimed it can reduce waist size by more than five per cent if used regularly and can burn an extra 500 to 800 calories each day.
To use one of the chambers, a person usually wears only their underwear and protective coverings on their hands, feet and ears - as well as a disposable mask on the mouth and nose.
Whole-body cryotherapy involves standing in a chamber with your head on the outside.
But despite the star jesting about the treatment - often used by athletes - in her video, it has also attracted many fans
Take That's Gary Barlow previously shrieked in pain as he immersed himself in the freezing cold chamber
The England Lioness squad use cryotherapy as part of their training and recovery routine. Pictured: Ella Toone
Cristiano Ronaldo is known to use the cold therapy treatment - and is even said to have a £500,000 ice chamber at home. Pictured with his son, Cristiano Junior
Cryotherapy - which literally means 'cold therapy' - is a sports treatment that tricks the body into thinking it has hypothermia and is used to combat injuries. Pictured: Rita Ora
Celebs including Alessandra Ambrosio (pictured) are using the treatment as an anti-ageing and weight loss hack
The rest of the body is engulfed in a liquid nitrogen mist, which can reach temperatures as low as -140°C (-220°F), for up to five minutes.
Advocates of cryotherapy claim it puts the body in a state of thermogenesis, which theoretically makes your body burn off calories at an increased rate for up to two days after entering the chamber.
According to the New York Post, a study by Dr. Jacopo Fontana of Italy's Istituto Auxologico Piancavallo, showed having cryotherapy five times a week, over two weeks, resulted in a 5.6% decrease in waist measurement and a 20.2% drop in cholesterol.
By comparison, a control group on the same diet and exercise regime (but no cryo), saw a waist measurement decrease of 1.4% and a cholesterol drop of 9.4%.
Other 'benefits' are said to include reducing the symptoms of migraines, numbing pain, reducing arthritis and helping skin conditions such as dermatitis.
It also claims to help with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and aid treatment for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Localised cryotherapy has even been used to treat low-risk tumours, by freezing cells and surrounding them with ice crystals.
In more common forms, cryotherapy can also be achieved through cold water immersion and using ice packs.
Footballer Marcus Rashford has also used a 'cyrosauna', where a person's head stays outside the tank, which is then filled with nitrogen
Common side-effects may include numbness, tingling and redness as the body tries to adjust to the unfamiliar and extreme environment.
Doctors have warned that those with diabetes and nerve conditions should not use the therapy, as they may not feel it working properly.
To prevent health risks such as hypothermia and frostbite, those entering the chamber must don protective mitts.
It is here that cryotherapy can become extremely dangerous if not used correctly - as Oakland Raiders player Antonio Brown reportedly received frostbite on his feet as a result of entering a cryochamber without proper footwear.
A 71-year-old man even suffered from a blistering cold burn injury after a nozzle in a cyro-chamber malfunctioned. He experienced no stinging or pain at the time and therefore was not given first aid.
Another form of Cryotherapy, known as CoolSculpting, is said to 'freeze away' love handles and enable 'body contouring'.
It uses a device that suctions a roll of fat between cold panels to freeze the underlying fat cells to -10ºC, which are disintegrated and leave the body as waste.
An unnamed 71-year-old man suffered a cold burn injury while in a cyro-chamber to ease his arthritis and back pain
But experts who study and administer the procedure say a distressing side effect is becoming more and more common by the year.
A growing number of patients have been presenting with a condition that causes fat cells to accumulate in the treated area and harden, leaving an unsightly bulge and regaining of fat.
One man said he even suffered from amnesia after entering a cryo-chamber, forgetting his credit card PIN and not being able to remember if his mother was alive.
The unnamed male, 63, believed to be from Switzerland, was hospitalised after presenting with sudden memory loss and repeated questioning, known as transient global amnesia (TGA), 30 minutes after leaving a -140C 'cryo-chamber' to relieve his shoulder pain.
Although tests results revealed no serious cause for concern, doctors were worried by the patient's inability to recall recent events, as well as his slightly raised cholesterol levels and vitamin deficiencies.
After spending the night in hospital, the patient made a full recovery but is still unable to remember the hours surrounding his cryo-chamber 'treatment' one year later.
Oakland Raiders player Antonio Brown reportedly received frostbite on his feet as a result of entering a cryochamber without proper footwear
Cryotherapy itself seems to be rather an uncomfortable experience - and one that even left Take That star Gary Barlow crying out for help during his own immersion.
The singer was filmed screaming for his time to be cut short during his session in the -200C chamber.
Jumping up and down in pain, the Let Me Go hitmaker cried for help as his pals giggled throughout the clip.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the former X Factor judge later admitted: 'It was horrible. I am used to ice baths – I do those every week. They do make me feel really good as it gets the blood rushing. But this cryo chamber was horrific.
'Someone said to me, it was probably my son, that Ronaldo never goes on the pitch unless he’s had a cryo.
'The problem is I am so gullible, I believe all this. So the next minute I thought, ‘I’m going to have a bit of that.'
The England Lioness squad use cryotherapy as part of their training and recovery routine to help reduce inflammation, muscle soreness, and fatigue.
The extreme cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which helps to reduce swelling and inflammation in the muscles and joints.
This can be particularly beneficial after intense training sessions or matches, as it helps to speed up the recovery process.
Cryotherapy also stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood enhancers.
This can help the players feel more energised and mentally focused, which is important for their performance on the field.
From Vogue Williams, (pictured), to David Beckham, and Harry Styles to Holly Willoughby there are a whole host of celebrities endorsing the ice bath wellness craze
David has revealed he endured ice baths as a form of 'self care', as the former footballer looked remarkably relaxed in the freezing tub
Last May This Morning host Holly Willoughby also shared pictures on social media of herself taking a sub-zero dip – complete with woolly hat
Harry Styles sent fans wild after sharing a snap of himself relaxing in an icy black tub after is show in Cologne in July 2022
Dua Lipa jumped into an ice bath after her 28th birthday back in August as she attempted to 'shake off' her hangover
In addition to its recovery benefits, cryotherapy is also believed to have performance-enhancing effects.
The extreme cold temperatures can increase blood circulation and oxygenation, which can improve muscle function and endurance.
It can also help to boost the immune system, which is important for preventing illness and maintaining overall health.
Cryotherapy has also been compared to ice water baths - even though both procedures contain key differences, namely that the latter can't reach temperatures as low as a machine, plunging in the cold waters is still a beloved celebrity trend.
