2. For More Even Skin Tone
- The Treatment: Glacial® RX
- The Technology: Cryomodulation
- Best For: Improving melasma, rosacea, acne, uneven skin tone
How It Works: Cold temperatures have been used in body contouring for the past decade (think: CoolSculpting®), so the concept of harnessing the cold to improve a specific concern or condition is nothing new. However, what is innovative is the idea of cryomodulation – a proprietary cooling technology that normalizes melanin production while reducing inflammation. Glacial® RX is the first device to use the method, which temporarily freezes melanocytes to suspend melanin production and treat pigmented lesions, redness, and inflammation, says Bruce Katz, MD, a board certified dermatologist and the founder of JUVA Skin and Laser Center in NYC. “It is also the first to use a cold probe to treat the skin,” he adds.
If you are wondering how cryomodulation differs from a procedure like CoolSculpting®, they are targeting different things. CoolSculpting® freezes fat cells to permanently destroy them and reduce stubborn fatty areas like the stomach, thighs, and buttocks. Glacial® Rx, meanwhile “temporarily freezes melanocytes to suspend melanin production,” Dr. Katz shares. “When melanin production pauses, new cells form without new pigment, resulting in a more evenly toned appearance on the skin's surface.”
The downtime-free Glacial® Rx treatment takes 10 minutes or less and feels akin to a cooling facial, though it provides a long-term, anti-pigmentation effect that can last upwards of one year (with diligent sun protection). During treatment, a cold plate is manually applied to each area that needs to be addressed. The chill also takes down any puffiness and redness in the skin. Some minor side effects include erythema (redness), micro-crusting, and temporary darkening, all of which resolve independently. However, after two to three treatments over a few months, the full results are seen.
Speaking of results, Dr. Katz says the cooling technology immediately clears up congestion and skin dullness anywhere on the body. Over time, the benefits become more pronounced. “This new technology is the first FDA-approved dermatologic treatment to use cryomodulation to treat dark spots,” he explains. “According to studies, physicians saw an improvement in 92 percent of patients at one-month follow-up.”
