Review of Superficial Cryotherapy for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata
July 2023
in “
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This narrative review found that cryotherapy resulted in approximately 60% hair regrowth response in alopecia areata patients, with some evidence suggesting lower relapse rates compared to intralesional steroid injection, although no statistically significant difference in efficacy was identified.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This review examines the potential of superficial cryotherapy as a treatment for alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune hair loss disorder. Traditional treatments like corticosteroids have high relapse rates, prompting interest in alternative therapies. The review analyzed 8 studies from 1990 to 2022, finding that approximately 60% of patients responded to cryotherapy with hair regrowth. Comparisons with intralesional and topical corticosteroids showed no significant difference in efficacy, but cryotherapy may have lower relapse rates. The studies varied in protocols and patient populations, highlighting the need for more research with larger sample sizes and standardized methods to better assess cryotherapy's clinical efficacy.
