Cryotherapy has a long history in dermatology. Doctors use it to remove skin tags, warts, actinic and seborrhoeic keratoses and even keloids. More recently it has gained a beauty following too, where cryofacials and cold chambers promise everything from firmer skin to clearer pores. So how much of this is real, and what can freezing actually do for your skin? In this article, we explore what cryotherapy is, how it works and where the evidence is strong or still thin.
Please note, we are an online skin clinic so we do not offer cryotherapy. We have written this article because we believe people deserve clear, honest information about all of their options.
What is Cryotherapy and How Does it Work?
The word cryotherapy comes from the Greek cryo, meaning cold, and therapy, meaning treatment. In practice it means using extremely low temperatures to treat a range of skin and health concerns. A practitioner applies liquid nitrogen or another cryogen directly to the area. The intense cold then forms ice crystals inside the targeted cells. Those crystals rupture and destroy the cells, so the treated tissue blisters, scabs and eventually sheds. Healthy skin then regenerates underneath.
What Skin Lesions Can Cryotherapy Remove?
Cryotherapy works best on superficial lesions, those sitting on or near the skin surface. This is by far its most established use. A doctor or dermatologist carries out the treatment in person, often in a single short appointment. The most common conditions it treats include:
- Skin tags: Cryotherapy is a popular way to remove skin tags because it is quick and rarely scars. The practitioner applies liquid nitrogen directly to the tag. It then turns white and hardens, before withering and dropping off over the following days or weeks. Several sessions are sometimes needed, and there is a small risk of lightening or darkening of the surrounding skin.
- Wart removal: This is another well-established use. A clinician freezes the wart so that a blister forms underneath. The immune system then clears the infected tissue. Larger or deeper warts often need more than one session, and mild pain or blistering afterwards is common.
- Keloids: These raised scars form when too much collagen is laid down during healing. Freezing the scar tissue can soften a keloid and slow collagen production. However, cryotherapy is not a first-choice treatment here. It usually works best alongside other options, such as corticosteroid injections, and it carries a risk of pigment change in darker skin tones.
- Actinic keratosis: Cryotherapy is a common and effective treatment for these precancerous patches. Freezing destroys the abnormal cells and helps stop them progressing to squamous cell carcinoma. Temporary blistering, redness and a slight risk of scarring or pigment change can follow.
- Seborrhoeic keratosis: Many people have these harmless growths removed for cosmetic reasons. Cryotherapy freezes them so they scab and peel away, leaving smoother skin behind. Because it can treat several lesions quickly, it suits seborrhoeic keratoses, which often cluster. That said, pigment changes are possible, and removal is sometimes incomplete.
Does Cryotherapy Work for Eczema?
There is growing interest in cold therapy for inflammatory conditions such as eczema. Some early research suggests that exposing affected skin to cold can ease inflammation and itching. However, cryotherapy is not a first-line eczema treatment, and it can aggravate already sensitive skin. The evidence remains limited, so we need larger studies before recommending it for this purpose.
Is There a Role for Cryotherapy as a Beauty Treatment?
Beyond medical use, cryotherapy has moved into the beauty and wellness space, most often as cold chambers and cryofacials. The thinking is that brief, controlled cold can lift the complexion, calm inflammation and support skin health. Spas and clinics deliver these treatments in person, so they sit outside what we offer. The main claims and the evidence behind them are:
- Anti-ageing: More people now use cold therapy as a non-invasive way to firm skin and soften fine lines. There is some evidence that cold improves circulation and reduces inflammation. Both influence collagen, so the rationale is plausible. Even so, the long-term anti-ageing data is still early and far from conclusive.
- Reducing puffiness and dark circles: Cold also calms under-eye bags and circles. It constricts blood vessels and encourages lymphatic drainage. The effect on swelling is well documented, although no studies specifically confirm a lasting benefit for this area.
- Acne and inflammatory skin: There is research suggesting cryotherapy may help acne by reducing inflammation and shrinking oil glands. Cold-induced vasoconstriction does reduce swelling and oil production, two drivers of breakouts. Even so, it needs higher-quality trials before it counts as a reliable acne treatment.
- Skin texture and tone: Cryotherapy exfoliates dead cells, boosts circulation and prompts cell renewal. Over time, this may leave skin looking brighter and more even. Formal studies on texture are scarce. However, its effect on blood flow and cell turnover offers a reasonable explanation worth investigating.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects?
Cryotherapy is generally safe and well tolerated when a trained clinician performs it correctly. This is a large part of its appeal in dermatology. No procedure is entirely without risk, however, so it helps to know what can happen. The common effects are usually short-lived, whilst the less common ones are rarer but worth weighing up.
Common side effects include blistering, redness and short-lived pain during and after treatment. Pigmentation changes are also possible in people with darker skin tones, as is temporary swelling or numbness. Less commonly, cryotherapy can leave a scar or fail to clear a lesion completely, which means further sessions. Infection is also possible if the treated area is not kept clean.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Cryotherapy should always be carried out by a qualified clinician who can examine the area first. This matters most with lesions. A growth that is changing, bleeding, itching or growing may need assessment for skin cancer before anything is frozen. For that reason, a GP or dermatologist should check any new or evolving spot in person. Avoid reaching for an over-the-counter freezing kit at home. Precancerous patches such as actinic keratosis also need proper diagnosis and follow-up. If you are unsure what a mark is, an in-person review is the safest first step.
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal skin tissue and let healthy skin grow in its place. It remains a useful dermatology tool for removing skin tags, warts, keloids and both actinic and seborrhoeic keratoses. Its ability to calm inflammation and improve circulation has also made it an active area of skincare research. The early signals for ageing, acne and eczema are interesting. Still, the long-term cosmetic evidence is not yet settled. Whichever route you consider, this is an in-person procedure that belongs in the hands of a trained clinician.
At City Skin Clinic, we believe that skincare is personal and treat conditions like skin ageing, acne and hyperpigmentation. Our doctors design bespoke topical skincare treatments tailored to your skin and goals using active ingredients such as tretinoin, hydroquinone, azelaic acid and niacinamide where appropriate. To get started, book a video consultation or complete our online consultation form. Your journey towards great skin and hair starts here.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
