So, you heard that sticking yourself in sub-zero temperatures could class as a health and beauty routine and finally got your reason (excuse) to impersonate a snowman. Cryotherapy – it's all the rage, isn't it? Your favorite Hollywood actor swears by it, and that fitness influencer who does yoga poses on mountaintops is flashing their frosty sessions all over Instagram. But before you freeze your cash for this icy trend, let's cool down a bit and look at what's really going down in that chilling chamber.

Similar to the brutally cold slap of a winter wind, cryotherapy shocks your body into survival mode with extreme cold. One style is whole-body cryotherapy, where your body (without its head, thank God!) is cooled down to temperatures colder than your ex's heart inside a high-tech looking chamber. Alternatively, local cryotherapy pops up in your life like an ice pack.

Popular claims are as many as flakes in a snowfall about the benefits of this cold treatment – pain alleviation, weight loss, even Aunt Fanny believes it'll reverse her age. But hold onto your parkas, folks – the research backing these claims is as scarce as beach days in a polar vortex. And brace yourself, the FDA hasn't given the cold shoulder to just lightly warning about using these devices, citing adverse incidents and even death.

Now, it's not all as bleak as a blizzard. There's evidence that certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia respond well to a good chill. And sure, knocking back post-workout muscle inflammation and soreness isn't unheard of. But, don't get too frosty - research indicates that Ice Queen cryotherapy doesn't trump the old-school ice pack or ice-bath method when it comes to soothing sore muscles.

With the right explanation, the theories behind cryotherapy do sound good enough to freeze your curiosity. After all, inflammation and oxidative stress reduction tied with improved circulation could theoretically give your skin that post-frostbite glow up. But alas, there's minimal research to back this chilling theory. And if you're hoping to melt away obesity with cryotherapy, the results are as varied as snowflakes.

Here's one cold fact – cryotherapy is not for everyone. Your body reacts to the chill in unique ways, and those with certain health conditions should steer clear. Consulting a healthcare professional before turning into an icicle is probably wise – unless you fancy a rashes or frostbite.

Given the frosty stance from the FDA, the lack of guidelines, and the chill your bank account will feel courtesy of the pricy sessions, the debate rages on. Should you bin the ice packs in favor of cryotherapy? Well, the conclusion is – it's no miracle chiller, and it certainly lives up to the saying – 'there's no smoke without a freezer burn' (pun totally intended). So, think twice before diving into this winter wonderland.