Ice Cubes on Cystic Acne
Mixed / Proceed with Caution
The Viral Claim
"Rubbing a bare ice cube directly on a massive, painful under-the-skin cyst will freeze the bacteria and kill it."
Why it exploded on TikTok
Teens waking up with painful, throbbing cysts desperately reached for ice to numb the pain, assuming the extreme cold destroyed the pimple.
Medical Expert Review
Cryotherapy (icing) is a scientifically valid way to immediately constrict blood vessels (vasoconstriction), which massively reduces the throbbing pain, heat, and swelling of a massive cyst. However, cold temperatures do not kill P. acnes bacteria. Applying a bare ice cube directly to the skin for too long can cause actual frostbite tissue damage. Ice should always be wrapped in a clean cloth, applied for no more than 1 minute, and followed up with an antibacterial spot treatment to actually treat the bacteria.
Safe Alternatives
Don't risk destroying your skin barrier. Instead of ice cubes on cystic acne, utilize these clinically-proven, teen-safe alternatives.