Cryotherapy is a medical treatment that has long standing use in dermatology for removal of skin tags, warts, actinic or seborrheic keratosis and even keloids. Increasingly it is also enjoying a surge in popularity within the skincare and dermatology community for a whole host of other cosmetic skin benefits. As always, we aim to separate the truth from myth. In this article, we explore what exactly is cryotherapy, how it works, potential treatment benefits and risks. We’ll review the evidence behind its use for medical as well as cometic skin purposes.
What is Cryotherapy & How Does it Work?
The word cryotherapy is derived from the Greek for ‘cryo’ meaning cold and ‘therapy’ meaning treatment. Put simply, it is the process of using extremely low temperatures to treat various health and skin conditions. The treatment involves applying liquid nitrogen or other cryogens directly to specific areas of concern. The low temperatures cause ice crystals to form within the cells which freezes and destroys them. Over time, the treated area may blister, scab and eventually fall off. This allows healthy skin to regenerate.
Cryotherapy Treatment for Removal of Skin Lesions
As a general rule, cryotherapy is most effective for superficial skin lesions and concerns. This is by far the most common use of this procedure. Below, we will examine some of the common skin conditions for which cryotherapy is commonly used and is an appropriate treatment.
- Skin Tags: Cryotherapy is a popular method for removal of skin tags because it is quick, painless and normally doesn’t leave scars. During a cryotherapy session for skin tags, a healthcare professional applies liquid nitrogen directly to the tag. This freezes the skin tag, which will turn white and harden. After a few days to weeks, the tag will wither and fall off naturally. Whilst cryotherapy is generally efficient, it may take several treatments for the skin tag to fall off. There is also a slight risk of hypo or hyperpigmentation.
- Wart Removal: This is another highly effective use for cryotherapy treatment. Normally a dermatologist or primary care doctor applies liquid nitrogen to the wart which freezes it. Over time, the frozen wart forms a blister, and the body’s immune system works to destroy the infected tissue. Cryotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for wart removal. However, removal may require several cryotherapy sessions depending on the wart’s size and depth. There may also cause mild pain and blistering after treatment.
- Keloids: These are raised scars that occur when excess collagen forms during the healing process. Cryotherapy helps reduce the size and firmness of keloids by freezing the abnormal scar tissue. It may also inhibit further collagen production. Whilst cryotherapy is not a common treatment for keloids, it is still effective. That being said, cryotherapy alone may not completely flatten keloids and often needs to be combined with other treatments such as corticosteroid injections. It also carries possible risk of pigmentation changes, especially in darker skin tones.
- Actinic keratosis: Cryotherapy is a common and highly effective treatment for these precancerous lesions. treatment approach due to its effectiveness. Cryotherapy works by freezing the affected area to destroy the abnormal cells in actinic keratosis. This prevents them from progressing to squamous cell carcinoma. Whilst cryotherapy is an efficient, relatively painless and effective treatment for actinic keratosis, it can cause temporary blistering and redness may occur. There is also a slight risk of scarring or pigmentation changes in the treated area.
- Seborrheic keratosis: Cryotherapy is the go-to treatment for those who wish to remove these growths, particularly for cosmetic reasons. It freezes the growths, causing them to peel or scab off over time. As the treated area heals, smoother skin replaces the growth. Cryotherapy is very popular because it can quickly treat multiple lesions which is handy as seborrheic keratosis lesions tend to be numerous. It can however cause pigmentation changes and if cryotherapy is not done carefully, the seborrheic keratosis may not be completely removed.
Does Cryotherapy Work for Eczema?
There is growing interest in using cryotherapy for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Cryotherapy for eczema involves exposing the affected skin to cold temperatures, which some studies show can help reduce inflammation and itchiness. However, it is not recommended as a first-line treatment for eczema as it may aggravate sensitive skin. Despite the promising potential, this is still a novel area of research and more studies are needed to fully understand the benefits of cryotherapy for treating eczema and risks.
Is there a Role for Cryotherapy as a Beauty Treatment?
In recent years, cryotherapy has gained traction not only as a medical treatment but also in the world of beauty and wellness. The two most popular offerings are “whole-body cryotherapy” and “cryofacials”. The idea behind this is that cold therapy can help enhance skin appearance, reduce inflammation and promoting overall skin health. Below we’ll explore the key benefits and what evidence supports these claims:
- Anti-Ageing: There is increasing use of cryotherapy as a non-invasive method to tighten skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There is scientific evidence that shows that cold therapy can help improve circulation and reduce inflammation which both help reduce the impact of ageing on collagen degradation and skin. This is an exciting and growing area of research. However, we need more higher level studies to confirm the long-term anti-ageing benefits of cryotherapy.
- Reducing Puffiness & Dark Circles: There is increasing use of cryotherapy as a treatment for under eye bags and circles. This is because the cold temperature helps constrict blood vessels and improve lymphatic drainage which reduces swelling and puffiness. Although there is good evidence for the vasoconstrictive effects of cold therapy on the skin in reducing inflammation and swelling, there isn’t any research to specifically support its benefits for the under eyes.
- Acne & Inflammatory Skin Conditions: There is scientific evidence to back cryotherapy as a treatment for acne due to its ability to reduce inflammation and help reduce the size of sebaceous glands. Existing studies on cold-induced vasoconstriction show promise in reducing swelling and oil production, which are two key factors in acne formation.However, more higher level research is necessary to establish its long term effectiveness.
- Skin Texture & Tone: Cryotherapy can help exfoliate dead skin cells, improve circulation and stimulate cell renewal. As a result, it may leave the skin looking brighter, smoother and more even-toned over time. Although there aren’t many formal clinical studies on benefits of cryotherapy for skin texture, its benefits in increasing blood flow and promoting cell turnover offer a plausible explanation and support additional research.
Risks & Side Effects
Cryotherapy is generally safe and well-tolerated if performed correctly and appropriately. This is why it is so popular in dermatology. However, nothing is entirely risk free and cryotherapy is no exception. Below are the potential risks and side effects which can occur.
Common side effects:
- Blistering and redness.
- Mild to moderate pain during and after treatment.
- Pigmentation changes (especially in people with darker skin tones).
- Temporary swelling or numbness.
Less common risks:
- Scarring.
- Incomplete removal of lesions which may necessitate additional treatments.
- Infection can occur if the treatment area is not kept clean.
Cryotherapy is a treatment that harnesses the power of extreme cold to destroy abnormal skin tissues and allow for healthy skin regeneration. For this reason, cryotherapy remains a valuable tool in dermatology because it offers an effective non-invasive option for removal of a variety of skin conditions including skin tags, warts, keloids, actinic and seborrheic keratosis. That’s not all though! Its ability to resurface the skin, reduce inflammation and improve circulation has made it the subject of intense interest in beauty and skincare research. Early studies suggest there may be potential for cryotherapy as a treatment for skin ageing, acne and conditions like eczema. However, further research is necessary to establish the safety and long term effectiveness of cryotherapy as a beauty treatment.
