What should I use a cold tool for?
Dubroff, who’s worked with stars like Margot Robbie and Simone Ashley, says she uses cold tools as a quick fix when working on set, especially early in the morning. She opts for the Joanna Vargas Magic Glow Wand, which features a cool and a hot setting. For Dubroff, cold tools are great for “anytime you want something to just feel less puffy, saggy, inflamed. It’s not forever, but it’s a good fix.” While most of the benefits are temporary, Boakye says ice rolling (or applying any cold tool) four to five times a week can help diminish inflammation.
I want to dip my toes into the ice-rolling trend. What should I do?
For first-timers trying cold therapy at home, Boakye recommends using a roller, such as the Sacheu Beauty Stainless Steel Facial Roller, to easily target all areas of the face. The Esarora Ice Roller is a budget-friendly choice with more than 17,000 primarily positive reviews (the icy blue tool also popped up on an episode of Euphoria as Sydney Sweeney’s character Cassie Howard showcased her obsessive morning routine). Sonäge Baby Frioz Mini Icy Globes are petite options that you can use all over your face—but are especially easy to roll around delicate eye skin.
Are there any safety precautions I should be aware of before ice rolling or using a cold tool?
Holding a tool on the skin for too long in one place may cause so-called freezer burn, exacerbating the redness you’re trying to quell—so keep it moving. You “don’t want to further injure your skin, because that could lead to either more redness or more hyperpigmentation,” Boakye explains—a particular concern for those with darker skin tones. For at-home rolling, she recommends testing the tool on your forearm before using it on your face to ensure it won’t stick to (and tear) the skin. Prep your skin by applying a serum or moisturizer, advises Sobel, and roll the device for no more than 10 minutes. “Too much cold can cause blood circulation problems to the skin…as well as decrease permeability to skin care ingredients and nutrients,” he says.
This article appears in the August 2022 issue of ELLE.