You've probably already heard of cryotherapy , this cold treatment method with many benefits. Previously intended for high-level athletes and now accessible to the general public, it is becoming increasingly popular. But can cryotherapy also help you lose weight faster? We tell you everything in this article, my Wander Nana!
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a cold treatment therapy. A session lasts on average between 1 and 3 minutes. Initially intended for elite athletes, it has become accessible to everyone. This practice involves enclosing your body in a cabin where your head protrudes. Your body is then exposed to an extremely cold temperature that can reach -170° Celsius! To help your body adapt to such cold, it is generally started at -60°. The temperature then drops rapidly until it reaches the stated temperature.
The benefits and disadvantages of cryotherapy
Cryotherapy has many benefits: well-being, detox, pain relief, fatigue relief, etc. This cold treatment also helps tone the skin, burn calories, and promote good blood circulation. As you might expect, the side effects observed in cryotherapy are partly related to the extreme cold our bodies are exposed to. In some cases, inflammation, aches, and gastric problems may occur.
Although cryotherapy is practically safe, it is prohibited for people who are pregnant, suffer from cardiovascular diseases or are allergic to cold.
Cryotherapy and weight loss, does it work?
Although it seems to be going well when you consider all the benefits of cryotherapy , some doctors seem somewhat doubtful about the slimming effects of this practice... No real significant weight loss has in fact been observed in athletes who have practiced it over the long term.
In principle, it is possible to burn up to 500 calories with cryotherapy .
When the body faces an extreme change in temperature, it engages a regulatory mechanism. To combat the cold, it creates heat by drawing on its energy resources. So yes, it is possible to still burn some calories with cryotherapy. However, being exposed to the cold for such a short period of time is not enough to cause any weight loss.
Cryolipolysis, the solution for real weight loss!
Cryolipolysis and cryotherapy are often confused , but they are two procedures with different purposes. Cryotherapy is used more for therapeutic or wellness purposes, while cryolipolysis is intended solely for aesthetic purposes.
Another difference between these two methods is that cryotherapy is a more general treatment that works on the entire body. Cryolipolysis, on the other hand, specifically targets fatty areas. If you want to lose weight effectively, we recommend opting for cryolipolysis instead!
P:S: Good to know, more and more beauty and wellness institutes are including this type of treatment in their slimming program!