Did anyone else find that the DIY stuff got too cold sometimes? I had to keep swapping it out because my jaw would go numb.
Definitely had the same issue. I remember using a bag of corn once and it felt like my cheek was about to freeze off. The gel packs were a bit gentler in my experience, maybe because they don’t get rock solid? Still, nothing beats peas for molding around your face. You’re doing great—just take it slow and don’t stress about switching things up if you need to.
The gel packs were a bit gentler in my experience, maybe because they don’t get rock solid? Still, nothing beats peas for molding around your face.
Funny enough, I’ve actually found that the gel packs can be a little too cold too, especially right after taking them out of the freezer. I usually tell people to wrap whatever they’re using—peas, gel, corn—in a thin towel first. That way you avoid the numbness and possible skin irritation. Peas are great for shaping, but honestly, even a soft washcloth with cool water works if you’re sensitive to the cold. Sometimes less is more with icing.
I hear you on the gel packs—sometimes they just zap your skin if you’re not careful. I remember after my extractions, I’d rotate between a bag of peas and a damp washcloth, depending on how sensitive my cheeks felt that day. You’re right, a little goes a long way... no need to freeze your face off. The towel trick saved me from that weird freezer burn feeling more than once.
I get what you mean about the towel trick, but I actually found that ice packs weren’t as helpful for me after the first day or so. The swelling didn’t really go down much no matter how cold I got, and after a while, the numbness just felt weird. What really made a difference was keeping my head elevated when I slept—less puffiness in the morning and way more comfortable. Maybe it’s just different for everyone, but sometimes less is more with the icing.
I totally get that—after the first day, the ice just made my cheeks feel kind of stiff and tingly, but didn’t really shrink the swelling much. I was super anxious about doing everything “right,” so I kept icing way longer than I probably needed to. Propping up with pillows at night actually helped me more too, though I was worried I’d mess something up by not icing enough. Guess it’s one of those things where you just have to figure out what works for you…