Puffy, Tired-Looking Face? Meet the Kombucha Cryo Lift Facial with Gua Sha and Cooling

Have you ever looked in the mirror after a short night, a long flight or days with hardly any rest and found your face looking fuller and more tired than usual, even though your skin has no obvious problem?

Kombucha Cryo Lift Facial Ritual is Jai Chan’s 90-minute facial ritual designed for moments like these. It takes your skin step by step through cleansing, massage with Cryo, gentle gua sha lymphatic strokes, a hyaluronic jelly mask and kombucha serum, before finishing with a back massage so your body can keep resting.

The heart of the treatment is not forcing your face to change instantly, but pacing every step so they flow into each other, from the warm touch of hands to the cool of Cryo, so your skin feels fresh, your face looks less tired and your contours look naturally more defined after the treatment. Results, and how long you notice them, vary from person to person.

A puffy-looking face is not always the same thing

In everyday language, a “puffy face” may simply mean a face that looks a little fuller on some mornings. Medically, however, facial swelling can have many causes, from allergies, inflammation and infection to other health conditions (Cleveland Clinic).

Jai Chan’s treatments are relaxation and beauty services, not a diagnosis or treatment for swelling. If your face swells suddenly or on one side, is painful, red or hot, keeps swelling, or your lips, tongue or throat swell along with difficulty breathing or swallowing, please get medical help. A spa should never replace medical care.

What is the Kombucha Cryo Lift Facial?

This is a Tea Wellness facial that turns the story of “fermented tea” into a contemporary facial ritual. Kombucha serum is at its core, linked with ingredients that carry a Thai character, such as longan, jasmine rice, honey and jasmine.

Over 90 minutes your skin is cared for in order, without rush: from preparing the skin with cleansing, through 30 minutes of facial massage with Cryo, 20 minutes of gua sha and a mask, to finishing the skin with Face Mist and Kombucha Serum, and ending the ritual with a back massage. This reflects the Tea Wellness Spa idea clearly, because tea is not just a name or a background scent here, but the starting point for the products, textures and the whole experience.

90 mins · THB 2,290

Kombucha serum: the fermented-tea heart of the ritual

Kombucha is tea fermented by microorganisms, which turns it into an ingredient with a different composition from the original tea. The type of tea, fermentation time and product formula all affect what it contains, so not every kombucha formula should be assumed to act on skin in the same way.

Cosmetic research is taking more interest in this fermented ingredient. One ex vivo study of green and black tea kombucha on pig skin found that some phenolic acids and caffeine passed into and accumulated in the skin (Jakubczyk et al., 2024), while another group studying kombucha-fermented berry leaf extracts found potential for skin hydration and pH balance in test formulas (Ziemlewska et al., 2022).

For Jai Chan, kombucha serum carries our tea expertise into skincare. We use it in the 10-minute finishing step with Face Mist, after cleansing, Cryo massage, gua sha and the mask, as the closing chapter that brings the fermented-tea story back onto your skin.

Kombucha in cosmetics should not automatically be called “probiotic”, because finished products may not contain live microorganisms, and each formula’s properties depend on its ingredients, manufacturing process and the testing of that product.

Gua sha lymphatic strokes: light, slow and following the face

The gua sha in this treatment is not hard scraping. The smooth edge of the tool glides over your skin with light, rhythmic pressure across the face, neck and décolletage, following the same approach as lymphatic-drainage massage, which favours gentleness over pressure.

The slow movements make this part of the treatment feel continuous and comfortable. Many people notice their face looks less tight and their contours look more defined afterwards, but this should be seen as a temporary change in appearance, not a treatment for fluid retention or any lymphatic condition.

Lifting massage: rhythm from the hands, never forcing the skin

During the facial massage, the therapist works with White Tea Longevity Cream, choosing directions and pressure to suit the shape of your face, focusing on supporting and lifting the skin rather than pulling or rubbing hard.

This step makes sure your whole face is touched and the cream is spread evenly. Afterwards it usually feels light and comfortable, with skin that looks livelier. It does not reshape your face or give a permanent lift like a medical procedure.

Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Jelly Mask: a pause for the skin

The mask used in the ritual is the Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Jelly Mask No. 6. The jelly texture gently holds the skin while you rest, giving a cool, comfortable feel and helping your skin feel soft and hydrated before the kombucha serum step.

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant widely used in skincare, but how well a real product works depends on its type, molecular size, concentration and the whole formula (Bravo et al., 2022). That is why this article does not claim the mask boosts collagen, tightens pores or reverses skin ageing based on the packaging alone.

What does Cryo Cooling Lift do?

During the 30-minute facial massage, the therapist glides the Cryo head along your face. The cold feels refreshing and contrasts with the touch of hands, before the ritual moves on to gua sha, the mask and finishing with Face Mist and Kombucha Serum.

A physiology study in healthy volunteers found that different areas of the face respond differently to temperature, and that changing skin temperature can temporarily change blood flow in the skin (Miyaji et al., 2019). However, this does not mean a Cryo facial gives a permanent lift or “closes” pores.

The most accurate description is that Cryo Cooling Lift adds a cool touch during the massage, makes your skin feel fresh, and may help your face look calmer, less tired and temporarily more defined after the treatment. What you notice depends on your skin and on you.

What your skin receives in 90 minutes

1. Cleansing · 10 mins — preparing the skin before the massage begins
2. Facial massage and Cryo Cooling Lift · 30 mins — massage along the face, with the Cryo head adding a cool touch
3. Gua sha lymphatic strokes · 20 mins — gentle gua sha and hand movements over the face, neck and décolletage
4. Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Jelly Mask No. 6 · 10 mins — resting the skin with a hyaluronic jelly mask
5. Finishing and moisturising · 10 mins — Face Mist and Kombucha Serum, then moisturiser and sunscreen
6. Back massage · 10 mins — easing tension and closing the ritual so rest flows from your face to your body

Who is this treatment for?

The Kombucha Cryo Lift Facial may suit people who:

• Feel their face looks fuller or tired on some days and want non-invasive care
• Enjoy light-pressure facial massage, gua sha and cooling
• Want skincare combined with 90 minutes of rest
• Are interested in tea ingredients and want to experience the Tea Wellness Spa idea through a facial
• Are looking for a facial in the Siam area that is easy to reach

If you do not like the cold, are very sensitive to cold, or feel uncomfortable during the treatment, you can ask your therapist to stop or adjust it at any time.

For glow and hydration, what should you choose?

If your main concern is not a fuller-looking face but brighter-looking skin with gentle care, the Royal Thai Glow Facial Treatment is another option. This 60-minute ritual includes 10 minutes of cleansing, a 20-minute facial massage, a 10-minute mask, 10 minutes of finishing with Face Mist and moisturiser, and a 10-minute back massage.

60 mins · THB 1,290

If you want to rest both your body and your face in one visit, Royal Thai Pampering pairs Aroma Thai Harmony with the Royal Thai Glow Facial in one package.

120 mins · THB 1,990

What to tell the team before your treatment

• Tell us if your skin is sensitive, or if you are allergic to tea, honey, oats, fragrance, botanicals or any cosmetic ingredient.
• Tell us if you are using retinoids, exfoliating acids or topical medication that makes your skin more sensitive.
• If you have recently had laser, a peel, a medical treatment, fillers or botulinum toxin, check with your provider before booking.
• Postpone the treatment if you have an open wound, sunburn, an irritated rash or an infection on your face.
• If you are sensitive to cold, have cold urticaria or a health condition for which your doctor advises avoiding cold, tell the team before you start.

Frequently asked questions about the Kombucha Cryo Lift Facial

Will one treatment lift my face permanently?

You should not expect a permanent result. This treatment is relaxation and beauty care. What you notice afterwards, such as fresher-looking skin or more defined contours, is a temporary change in appearance and varies from person to person.

Does gua sha lymphatic work hurt or leave red marks?

It should not hurt. This step uses light pressure and gentle movements, not hard scraping. If you feel uncomfortable, tell your therapist straight away.

Is Cryo Cooling Lift very cold?

You will feel a clear cold at first, but it should never be cold enough to hurt or numb. You can ask your therapist to stop or change how it is used at any time.

Is kombucha serum the same as the kombucha you drink?

Not exactly. Both come from the idea of fermented tea, but the serum is a cosmetic product that must be judged by its own formula and manufacturing process. It should not be assumed to contain live microorganisms or to act like a kombucha drink.

Should I come with make-up on?

There is no need. If possible, wear light or no make-up so the 10-minute cleansing step goes smoothly.

From fermented tea to coolness on the skin

The Kombucha Cryo Lift Facial does not try to change your face with any single step. It creates continuity from many kinds of touch: the cool of Cryo during the massage, gua sha moving lightly, a jelly mask holding the skin, kombucha serum in the finishing step, and a back massage that closes the ritual in a relaxing way.

This is how Jai Chan expresses the Tea Wellness Spa through a facial: starting from tea expertise, and designing a ritual that brings together story, texture, scent, temperature and time to rest in one experience.

References

1. Jakubczyk K, Nowak A, Muzykiewicz-Szymańska A, et al. Kombucha as a Potential Active Ingredient in Cosmetics—An Ex Vivo Skin Permeation Study. Molecules. 2024;29(5):1018. PubMed · Full text (PMC)
2. Ziemlewska A, Nizioł-Łukaszewska Z, Zagórska-Dziok M, et al. Evaluation of Cosmetic and Dermatological Properties of Kombucha-Fermented Berry Leaf Extracts Considered to Be By-Products. Molecules. 2022;27(7):2345. PubMed · Full text (PMC)
3. Bravo B, Correia P, Gonçalves Junior JE, et al. Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence. Dermatologic Therapy. 2022;35(12):e15903. PubMed · Full text (PMC)
4. Van de Velde FEG, Ortega-Castrillon A, Thierens LAM, et al. The effect of manual lymphatic drainage on patient recovery after orthognathic surgery—A qualitative and 3-dimensional facial analysis. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. 2020;130(5):478–485. PubMed
5. Galdino-Santos L, da Luz-Silva G, Pires ALC, et al. Perioperative therapies to reduce edema after orthognathic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. 2023;135(2):211–235. PubMed
6. Miyaji A, Hayashi S, Hayashi N. Regional differences in facial skin blood flow responses to thermal stimulation. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2019;119(5):1195–1201. PubMed
7. Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. Health massage shops and spas: advertising correctly (in Thai). Read the guidelines
8. Cleveland Clinic. Facial Swelling: Causes & Treatment. Read the medical information

What Is a Thai Herbal Body Wrap? The 8 Ingredients in a Thai Body Wrap Ritual

What if the best rest is not doing more, but letting your body lie still, surrounded by herbal scents, warmth and gentle touch? Thai Herbal Body Wrap is an hour designed for exactly that.

Jai Chan’s body wrap ritual brings together 8 ingredients: herbs, botanicals, oats and Thai clay. The wrap is spread over your skin, then you are covered with an infrared blanket that keeps you comfortably warm. While you rest, your therapist gives you a gentle head massage, so every minute is part of the relaxation, not just time spent waiting.

60 mins · THB 1,590

What is a body wrap?

A body wrap is a treatment in which ingredients prepared as a paste are spread over the body, which is then covered for a while before the wrap is removed. Each spa may use different clays, minerals, seaweed or botanicals.

So the appeal is not only the ingredients but the whole experience: texture, scent, warmth and the time to rest quietly. After the wrap is removed, many people feel their skin is softer and more comfortable, although how it feels varies with each person’s skin.

Why do we say “8 ingredients”?

Although the treatment is called the Thai Herbal Body Wrap, the blend is not made up of 8 herbs, because it also contains oats and Thai clay. Describing it as 8 ingredients from herbs, botanicals and Thai clay is more accurate, and it makes the role of each one clearer: colour, scent and texture.

The 8 ingredients in the Thai Herbal Body Wrap

1. Turmeric — golden colour from a herbal root

Turmeric gives the wrap its golden tone and distinctive herbal scent. It is a common ingredient in Asian skincare traditions. If your skin is sensitive, tell the team before you start, because turmeric can cause contact allergy in some people and may stain light-coloured fabric.

2. Oats — a soft, fine texture

Oats make the wrap soft and comfortable to spread on the skin. Dermatology research has studied products made with colloidal oatmeal, oats finely ground to a set standard, but results from those products should not be used to vouch for this treatment directly, since the blend and concentration have not been tested in the same way.

3. Bai mee leaf — a Thai folk botanical

Bai mee leaf is one of the botanicals in the wrap blend. It adds to the story of natural ingredients in the ritual, without claiming effects on the skin beyond what is known.

4. Jasmine — a soft, familiar scent

Jasmine is linked with gentleness and Thai hospitality. It softens the scent of the treatment and suits the calm atmosphere of Jai Chan.

5. Lemongrass — a fresh green scent

Lemongrass gives a fresh, clear herbal scent that adds depth to the blend and balances the soft sweetness of jasmine.

6. Kaffir lime — a Thai citrus note

Kaffir lime brings a citrus scent familiar from Thai care traditions, contrasting nicely with the earthy and rooty notes. If you have been sensitive to citrus products before, please tell the team in advance.

7. Plai — a warm scent from a herbal root

Plai is a Thai herbal root with its own warm scent. It gives the overall scent of the wrap more depth and reflects the roots of Thai body-care rituals.

8. Thai clay — the mineral base of the wrap

Thai clay is not a herb, but it is what binds the ingredients into a wrap, gives it the right thickness and lets it spread evenly on the skin.

What happens during the 60-minute Thai Herbal Body Wrap?

The treatment begins with a short talk about your skin, any allergies and how warm you like to be. Then the ritual follows in order:

1. The wrap made from all 8 ingredients is gently spread over your skin.
2. You are covered with an infrared blanket to keep you warm while you rest.
3. You receive a slow, gentle head massage while the wrap rests on your skin.
4. The wrap is removed step by step before the ritual ends, without any rush.

The warmth should always feel comfortable. If you feel too hot, uncomfortable, itchy, stinging or dizzy, you can ask your therapist to adjust it or stop at any time.

What does the infrared blanket do?

The infrared blanket keeps the wrap time warm and continuous, so you do not feel cold while the wrap is on your skin. The warmth also helps create an atmosphere for resting, and the team makes sure the level of heat suits each guest.

Some experiments have found that heat may change how certain substances pass through the skin, under controlled formulations, temperatures and times. However, the Thai Herbal Body Wrap has not been studied together with Jai Chan’s blanket and steps, so it should not be concluded that the blanket makes the herbs “penetrate deeper” or “absorb better”. The most accurate way to describe its role is providing warmth and comfort while you rest.

While you wait, a gentle head massage

The wrap time should not feel like empty time left over. So your therapist gives you a slow, gentle head massage while your body rests under the warm blanket. The touch on your head links the whole ritual together and gives the resting time a meaning of its own.

If you would rather not have your head touched, just tell the team before the treatment begins.

What research says about turmeric and oats

A systematic review found that turmeric and curcumin have been studied in many kinds of skincare products, but the formulas, methods of use and quality of evidence vary widely (Vaughn, Branum and Sivamani, 2016). Research on colloidal oatmeal studies oats ground to a set standard in products with defined formulas (Ilnytska et al., 2016).

This research helps explain why natural ingredients attract interest in skincare, but it is not evidence that any blend containing the same ingredient names will have the same effect. That is why we describe the Thai Herbal Body Wrap honestly, through scent, texture, warmth and how your skin feels after the wrap is rinsed off.

Should you have a body scrub before a wrap?

You do not always need a scrub first. The Thai Herbal Body Wrap can be booked on its own, but if you enjoy two-step body care, you can start with Golden Glow Body Polish and follow with the wrap.

Golden Glow Body Polish takes 60 minutes and costs THB 1,490, with a choice of three scrubs: Coconut & Coffee, Green Tea or Tangerine. Having the two treatments back to back gives you both a scrub and a wrap; it is not a promise that the ingredients will absorb into your skin more.

Serenity & Glow: a 120-minute scrub and wrap ritual

For anyone who wants to spend proper time on body care, Serenity & Glow brings Golden Glow Body Polish and the Thai Herbal Body Wrap together in one ritual.

It begins with a scrub using the blend you choose, followed by the wrap, warmth from the infrared blanket and a head massage while you rest.

120 mins · THB 2,690

Who is the Thai Herbal Body Wrap for?

This treatment suits people who enjoy warmth, Thai herbal scents and unhurried body care, as well as anyone who wants to lie still with a gentle head massage while they wait.

If you are uncomfortable with heat, do not like being covered, or experience claustrophobia, tell the team before you start so you can talk it through and adjust the experience.

What to know before booking

• Tell the team if you are allergic to turmeric, oats, jasmine, lemongrass, kaffir lime, plai, bai mee leaf, clay or scented products.
• If you have a rash, an open wound, sunburn or an infection, postpone the treatment and see a doctor if needed.
• Avoid shaving, waxing or using exfoliating products on the same day to reduce the chance of stinging or irritation.
• Turmeric may stain light-coloured fabric, so we recommend wearing dark underwear.
• Tell the team if you are pregnant, have a health condition or have reduced sensitivity to heat. If you are unsure, check with your doctor before using a heated blanket.

Frequently asked questions about the Thai Herbal Body Wrap

Does the infrared blanket get very hot?

The warmth should feel comfortable and can be adjusted. If you feel too hot, uncomfortable or unwell, tell your therapist straight away.

Do I just lie there and wait during the wrap?

No. While you rest under the warm blanket, your therapist gives you a gentle head massage. If you would rather not have your head touched, just say so before you start.

How will my skin feel afterwards?

After the wrap is removed, many people feel their skin is softer and more comfortable, but results vary with each person’s skin. This treatment is not a treatment for skin conditions and does not change skin colour.

Do I need a scrub before the wrap?

No. You can book the Thai Herbal Body Wrap on its own. If you want both a scrub and a wrap, you can choose the Serenity & Glow package.

Can I have it if my skin is sensitive?

Please tell us about all your allergies before booking, because the blend contains herbs, botanicals, clay and scented ingredients. If you have a skin condition or a current rash, check with a dermatologist first.

Treatments in this article

• Thai Herbal Body Wrap — 60 mins, THB 1,590
• Golden Glow Body Polish — 60 mins, THB 1,490
• Serenity & Glow — 120 mins, THB 2,690

References

1. Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research. 2016;30(8):1243–1264. PubMed
2. Chaudhari SP, Tam AY, Barr JA. Curcumin: A Contact Allergen. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2015;8(11):43–48. PubMed
3. Ilnytska O, Kaur S, Chon S, et al. Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena sativa) Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2016;15(6):684–690. PubMed
4. Oliveira G, Leverett JC, Emamzadeh M, Lane ME. The effects of heat on skin barrier function and in vivo dermal absorption. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2014;464(1–2):145–151. PubMed
5. Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. Health massage shops and spas: advertising correctly (in Thai). Read the guidelines

Turn waiting time into a complete rest

The charm of the Thai Herbal Body Wrap is not just its list of ingredients, but how the wrap, the herbal scents, the warmth of the blanket and the touch of the head massage work together.

So this hour is not just about applying a wrap and waiting. It is time that slowly takes you out of the rush and brings you fully back to the moment.

Jai Chan is on the 3rd floor of Siam Discovery, Bangkok.