Deep freeze treatments are the latest cult beauty-and-health craze to sweep Europe. It's called Cryotherapy and it's a wood paneled, sauna sized freezer, actually much colder than a freezer, -275 degrees Fahrenheit. The treatments involve spending up to three minutes in the chambers with nothing on but a two piece swimsuit of sorts, running and jumping around to keep the blood flowing. The treatments are meant for both athletes as well as those seeking a younger appearance. For athletes, Cryotherapy is used as a treatment for injuries as well as a performance enhancer. Last year, there was a study done on German Olympians who underwent regular whole body cryo treatments and found significant overall improvements.

For the non-athlete who seeks to reap the benefits of cryotherapy, we are promised rejuvenated skin, diminished cellulite, and treatment for many ailments, including arthritis, eczema, stress, insomnia and depression. The theory is that when the body is subjected to extreme drops in temperature, alarms are set off in the skins 250,000 cold receptors. That prompts the brain to send messages to withdraw blood from the surface to the body's core, and to stimulate the nervous system to release hormones, including adrenaline, endorphins, serotonin, and testosterone. Once the chill is over, blood is vigorously pumped back around the body, increasing the supply of nutrients and oxygen, lasting up to two hours. 

A woman who has tried it said her skin was tighter and her joints felt better, and the mental aspect left her feeling very energized. Time and again the reports of women who have undergone this treatment say their skin looks better. Others reported a stop in hair loss. And many people of both sexes reported a significant increase in libido.

The major problem with Cryotherapy is simply a lack of data, the concept is too new to know anything conclusive yet. But all beauty treatments have to start somewhere.