Review of Superficial Cryotherapy for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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.