Salon girl ‘froze to death’ inside cooling chamber loved by stars
A SALON manager ‘froze to death’ undergoing a trendy cooling treatment used to ease muscle aches and improve skin.
Chelsea Ake-Salvacion’s body was found blue and ‘rock-hard solid’ inside a cryotherapy chamber at the clinic where she worked.
The 24-year-old had spent the entire night in the machine – which exposes the skin to air as cold as -150C (-238F) – a coroner said.
It is thought Miss Ake-Salvacion had given herself a treatment after-hours at the salon in Las Vegas, and that something went wrong or she fell asleep. Customers having cryotherapy would not spend more than a few minutes inside the machines, which are popular with athletes as they supposedly ease muscle pains in a similar way to an ice bath.
Manufacturers also claim the chambers can smooth skin, boost the metabolism and burn up to 800 calories in just a few minutes. They typically cost around £60 for a session.
Miss Ake-Salvacion was found on Tuesday at the Rejuvenice clinic, where firemen had to break through ice inside the chamber to retrieve her body. Official reports said she died within seconds – possibly suffocating after nitrous oxide used in the cooling process got into her lungs and made her sleepy.
Her uncle, Albert Ake, told the Las Vegas Review Journal his niece was very experienced with cryotherapy. He added: ‘She told me ... that there is nothing dangerous about doing this, that the only thing that could happen is you’re there a little too long and you get frost nip on your fingers.’
Celebrity fans of the treatment reportedly include Bond actor Daniel Craig and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite its popularity, experts say its benefits are unproven.