Cecilia Wong, 5th & Glow — 7th August 2025
Why I Rub Ice Cubes on My Armpits
(And You Should Too)
Hey Darling,
Okay, I know what you're thinking. "Cecilia, have you completely lost it?"
Trust me, I get it. When my TCM mentor first told me about this weird little ritual, I literally laughed out loud. Ice cubes? On my armpits? What's next, frozen peas on my elbows?
But here's the thing about Traditional Chinese Medicine—sometimes the most bizarre-sounding practices deliver the most incredible results. And this 30-second morning habit? It's been a total game-changer.
Let me tell you how I discovered this weird little secret...
My Sweaty Summer Nightmare
Picture this: It's July in NYC, I'm rushing between client appointments, and I'm basically melting. You know that awful feeling when you lift your arms and realize your cute silk blouse is now sporting some very unflattering wet patches?
Yeah, that was me. Daily.
I tried everything—clinical strength deodorants that burned my skin, those aluminum-free "natural" ones that basically did nothing, even those fancy dress shields that made me feel like I was wearing armor.
Nothing worked. I was constantly worried about raising my arms, hugging clients, or wearing anything remotely fitted. My confidence was shot.
Then my 78-year-old TCM teacher, Dr. Chen, noticed me frantically reapplying deodorant between sessions. She chuckled and said something that changed everything:
- "Cecilia, you're fighting fire with fire. In TCM, excess heat needs cooling from within. Try ice."
I stared at her like she'd suggested I stand on my head and chant. Ice? Really?
The Science Behind the Madness
Before you write this off as some ancient mystical nonsense, let me blow your mind with the actual science.
Your armpits contain some of the largest lymph nodes in your upper body. These little powerhouses are basically your body's filtration system, helping remove toxins and regulate temperature.
When you apply cold therapy to these specific points, several amazing things happen:
1. Instant Sweat Reduction
Cold constricts your sweat ducts temporarily, giving you 2-4 hours of significantly reduced sweating. A 2019 study in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment found that cold therapy reduced excessive sweating by up to 70% in participants.
2. Lymphatic Drainage
The cold stimulates lymphatic flow, helping your body eliminate toxins more efficiently. Think of it as giving your natural detox system a gentle kick-start.
3. Hormonal Balance
In TCM, the armpit area is connected to several important meridians. Cooling this area helps balance your body's internal temperature regulation—especially helpful for those of us dealing with hormonal fluctuations (hello, perimenopause!).
4. Reduced Odor
Less sweat + better lymphatic drainage = significantly less body odor. It's simple math, really.
- So how do you do this?
- Do this right after your shower, while your skin is still slightly damp.
- Take one ice cube in each hand and then gently rub each armpit for 15 seconds in circular motions.
- Pat dry and apply your regular deodorant.
- That's it. Seriously.
The Bottom Line
Look, I know this sounds absolutely bonkers. Trust me, I felt ridiculous the first time I stood in my bathroom rubbing ice cubes on my armpits at 7 AM.
But sometimes the most effective solutions are hiding in plain sight. Sometimes ancient wisdom packaged in a weird little ritual can solve problems that modern products can't touch.
Your confidence shouldn't be held hostage by sweat stains and body odor anxiety. You deserve to move through your day feeling fresh, comfortable, and completely yourself.
So tomorrow morning, grab two ice cubes and give this a try.
The worst thing that happens? You waste 30 seconds and two ice cubes. The best thing that happens? You discover a life-changing ritual that costs literally nothing and takes less time than brushing your teeth.
Trust the process, trust your body's wisdom, and most importantly—trust that sometimes the weirdest advice is exactly what you need to hear.
Have you tried any bizarre beauty hacks that actually worked? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Stay cool (literally),
Cecilia ❄️
P.S. If you try this technique, snap a photo of your ice cubes and tag me @5thandglow—I love seeing you beautiful humans embrace the weird wisdom of TCM!
