Review of Superficial Cryotherapy for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

This narrative review evaluates the potential of cryotherapy as a treatment for alopecia areata (AA), traditionally managed with steroids but often resulting in high relapse rates. Analyzing 8 studies from 1990 to 2022, it was found that approximately 60% of patients treated with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy experienced hair regrowth. Comparisons between cryotherapy and intralesional or topical corticosteroid treatments showed no significant difference in efficacy, though cryotherapy may have lower relapse rates. Variability in treatment protocols and patient populations across studies highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes and standardized methods to better assess cryotherapy's clinical efficacy.